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The Long Anticipated Return …
After many months of radio-silence, I’ve resurfaced in the blogosphere …
… and I’ve got lots and lots to report!
First of all, many apologies to my followers… I’ve been remiss… mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa!! I’ve missed you to pieces…
Next up, I hope everyone will be come see me in The Adventures of Hershele Ostropolyer at The Baruch Performing Arts Center. The Folksbiene Yiddish Theatre has revived last year’s off Broadway smash hit which stars Mike Burstyn in the title role – and I am thrilled to have joined this wonderful cast! Visit Dani Marcus’ blog about our adventures backstage! (beware Hershele, the Vampire Slayer…) Show schedule is on my calendar page with links to websites to buy tickets!
In other news: Kids & Yiddish 2011 was a huge success way back in February! We visited schools and community centers around the New York area, and hope to have more opportunities to perform in NYC and beyond! Follow this link to find out how you can bring Kids & Yiddish to your community!
The Witches of Lublin has been having a wonderful life on NPR stations across the US and Canada! Many thanks to creators Elizabeth Schwartz, Ellen Kushner and Yale Strom for their incredible tale of magical musicians, and to director Sue Zizza’s vision and efforts to get this beautiful piece On the Air.
Stay tuned… lots of travel, concerts and festivals coming up this Summer… I’ll be looking for you!
Anyway, I promise not to be a stranger… Joanne’ll never go away again!!
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I sang… I ran… I lived…!!
Anthem … then five fabulous miles!
Marathon Kickoff in Central Park
OK, I promise I will not blog every NYRR National Anthem that I’m lucky enough to perform, but today, after singing the Anthem on a spectacular Halloween morning in Central Park … I put on my running shoes and… (drumroll please…)
I RACED!!
Ready to Run...
Ready to Run...
How ’bout that??!! 5 miles!! It was a blast, and I didn’t stop, or pass out, or even regret getting out there after a three and a half year hiatus. Afterward, a long hot shower … and a teeny little nap … and I’m ready to get up and do it again! Who knew? Now, I’m not going to wax poetic –> way too tired… but I am so pumped! And though I look like a little teapot in this picture, I finished the race in relatively good time… FYI, I’ll be singing – and running again – at the NYRR 5-miler this Friday, November 5th, 8am — so come to the Central Park if you’re around. If I can do this, so can you!!
In Other News: The Witches are Coming!
I am so proud to be part of a wonderful new public radio program that begins recording next week. The Witches of Lublin, a new one-hour drama by Ellen Kushner, Elizabeth Schwartz, and Yale Strom. It stars Tovah Feldshuh (Yentl, Golda’s Balcony) and features Simon Jones (Brideshead Revisited, Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy) Neil Gaiman (Coraline, The Graveyard Book) and Barbara Rosenblat (Anne Frank Remembered, The Secret Garden) with a supporting cast of New York’s finest audio actors (that includes me!!) and fresh music by leading klezmer musicians. Directed and Produced by Sue Zizza, I am totally psyched to be working with this incredible company on such an innovative project!
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Divas on the Danube…
Three Yiddish Divas Dazzle Vienna
The Whirlwind Tour!
Three Yiddish Divas in Vienna
We arrived on Thursday, rehearsed early Friday, then performed on Saturday night to a sold-out crowd at Vienna’s magnificent Konzerthaus, Berio-Saal. It was all part of the Juddischer Kulturherbst 2010.
Lovingly subtitled: Humor – Weisheiten (Wisdom) – Musik. “Oj, s’is gut!” indeed, it was very, very good. The festival presenters wined us and dined us… and the entire experience was sumptuous and grand!
600 Year old buildings and me...
If you’ve never been to Vienna, it is certainly one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. Walking through the 1st district, every step is a complication of medieval architecture, Imperial opulence and contemporary 21st Century commercialism. Mind boggling ~ thought-provoking ~ really expensive! Whoa! Vienna’s history is also a complex realm, especially in dealing with the causes and aftermath of the occupation. As artists performing in a Yiddish festival, it was not lost on any of us that this is an ongoing dilemma.
Vienna's Konzerthaus
But Vienna’s revitalized Jewish community is alive, diverse and thriving. We attended Shabbos services at the Stadtempel on Judenstrasse, the largest congregation in Vienna – a city known for it’s a capella choral mastery. I didn’t know what to expect, but as we walked through the doors, the 19th Century hall echoed with the voices of an eight-man choir chanting the service with moving emotion. My great grandparents were born into this Austrian musical tradition, and I can’t help but think my own family’s love of a capella Barbershop singing was inspired by this legacy. It’s a thought, right?
Auf vider zehen, Wien… until we meet again!
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…the Bronx & Staten Island, too…
Another Sunday ~ Another Anthem!
The Staten Island Half Marathon!
The Lady in the Harbor from the SI Ferry
And what a GORGEOUS day for it!!
Indian Summer in New York is heavenly, which made waking up at 5AM to get to the Staten Island Ferry and the starting line by 8:30am well worth the effort. So many runners crowding onto the Ferry, I thought the commuters would go a little insane… but the image of Lady Liberty and the great NYC skyline floating by is enough to calm even the antsiest of passengers. I never understood the power of our national anthem until I started singing it before crowds of anxious athletes; those words “by the dawn’s early light” as the sun rises over New York Harbor? I get goose bumps just thinking of it!
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Try to remember…
Shana Tova! Happy New Year!!
September brought many holidays…
…and the promise of a wonderful new year, 5771
For the past decade, I have had the privilege to lead Rosh Hashone and Yom Kippur observances at the Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring. As always, the services brought people from many different places together, including my own family who was visiting from Beit Zeit, Israel. Workmen’s Circle President, Robert Kaplan spoke about getting involved in our progressive Jewish community, and Elliot Weinstein, a 16 year old graduate of the WC/AR Midtown Shule shared his unique and insightful perspectives on growing up influenced by an ancient tradition in the 21st Century. About 95 people attended each service, and together we shared the laughter and tears of the past year – and our prayers for a prosperous and peaceful new year.
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Joanne WHO?
I'm a New York based broadway actor and singer (most recently appearing in ONCE) who also performs in concerts and music festivals across the U.S., Canada and Europe. When I'm not on tour, I write and direct a really hip and innovative off-b'way kids show ~ I'm on the council of Actors' Equity and frequently sing the national anthem at professional sporting events. I love Barbershop harmony, playing my little red accordion and my husband's cooking... That's me!!