Each year, like in many synagogues around the country, our congregants perform a Purim Shpiel, a humorous play that reenacts the Purim story from the Book of Esther. To create a parody, we usually meld the show with a current blockbuster Broadway musical or some outlandish theme.

In previous years, we used High School Musical, Barbie and Hamilton, to name a few. Last year, we chose a disco theme. This year, it’s Wicked.

I’ve determined that our shpiel is more than a comedy. It’s also a dramedy. As with most community theatre stage productions, not everything runs smoothly and it is always a challenge to be ready in time. Oh, the drama that ensues!

For the past couple of years, I have served as director. That means I cast the production, coordinate and lead all rehearsals, work with our tech team of one, collaborate with the two musical directors, procure props, become the stagehand, coordinate with synagogue staff — and more. It has often proven to be more labor intensive than some paid jobs I’ve held!

You must be asking yourself: “Why did she agree to take this on?” The answer is that I felt sorry for our synagogue staff, who didn’t know whom to ask. When they asked me, I knew I could do it; I did have a little theatre experience. I couldn’t say no.

I usually........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)