In the Belly of the Whale

A solo performance by Jonathan Bender

9 characters, 18 opinions, 1 actor

Directed by Jennifer Milligan

"In the Belly of the Whale," a solo show on Jewish identity, investigates what it means to be Jewish in America today. Written to create dialogue among Jews of all denominations (as well as non-practicing Jews) about the nature of Jewish identity, and to expose non-Jews to the diversity of the Jewish experience and identity. Explaining his passion to educate and entertain, Jonathan Bender stated, "What's most frustrating is the lack of awareness about Judaism as not just a religion, but also an ethnicity and a culture that's thousands of years old."

Jonathan Bender performs " In the Belly of the Whale"for seven performances only in the Pluss Theatre at the Mizel Center for the Arts, 350 S. Dahlia St. in Denver. Performances are 8:30 p.m. Saturday, March 29, April 6 & 12; 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 30; 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 6 & 13 and Thursday, April 10 at 7:30 p.m.

The show runs approximately 1 hour. Each is followed by a discussion, led by the artist, with local rabbis and prominent figures in the Jewish community, to provide a forum for the audience to process and interact with others regarding their own personal experiences and opinions. The January performances in Boulder sold out quickly; reservations are highly recommended. Tickets are $13 Adult\$10 Student and can be purchased by calling the box office at 303-316-6360 or online at www.maccjcc.org

"In the Belly of the Whale"was created through interviews with prominent and diverse members of the Jewish community through techniques developed by Moises Kaufman and the Tectonic Theater Project. The show consists entirely of true stories, either verbatim from the 8 interviews, or from the experiences of the performer. The autobiographical work and interviewees are portrayed as nine characters and placed within a biblical setting, the belly of a whale. The show follows the journey of a non-practicing Jew who is confronted with trying to understand what it means to be Jewish, both as a religion and as a larger cultural experience. The performance also includes dance and spoken word.

Jonathan Bender, MS, MFA, also founder of WholeSpeak (teaching acting and public speaking in Boulder/Denver), began his theater and public speaking career in the mid-1980's, and started directing at the age of 18. After getting his BA in Dramatic Art and Anthropology from UC Berkeley in the early 1990's, he worked in the San Francisco Bay Area as a director, speech and presentation coach, and acting teacher.

He left California to attend graduate school, first earning a Master's Degree in Performance Studies and Speech Communication at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, where he specialized in the study of everyday life as performance. Jonathan moved to Boulder, Colorado, to join the inaugural class of Naropa University's MFA program in Theater: Contemporary Performance. There he trained with such luminaries as Moisés Kaufman and the Tectonic Theater Project (renowned for The Laramie Projectand I Am My Own Wife), Meredith Monk and The House, and the SITI Company, specializing in physical, ensemble-developed theater and the creation of new work.

" In the Belly of the Whale" premiered in January 2008 in Boulder, Colorado with a completely sold-out run. Previously, it was workshoped as his MFA thesis production at Naropa in March, 2006 and presented at a national theater conference in Chicago in August of 2006.It was also performed at a 700+ person Jewish conference in New Mexico in July of 2007. Jonathan currently resides in Boulder, Colorado.

The March 29 and 30 performances of "In the Belly of the Whale" are sponsored by Judaism Your Way and the Jewish Community Center.

Judaism Your Way is a Denver-based Jewish outreach organization helping Jews and their loved ones engage with Jewish life, culture and religion on their own terms. From High Holy Days in the park to interfaith marriage ceremonies, Judaism Your Way is standing at Judaism's threshold, holding the door open for individuals, couples and families to walk through and make connections. "Wherever you are on your Jewish journey, we'll meet you there." More information at ww.judaismyourway.org.

For more than 80 years, the Robert E. Loup Jewish Community Center (JCC) has offered social, recreational and educational programs to the community. We are open to everyone, regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or ability to pay. No matter your age or interest, there's something for you at the JCC!

More information can be found at www.wholespeak.com or on March 10 at www.bellyofthewhale.net.

Listing/PSA

Jonathan Bender performs

"In the Belly of the Whale"

A solo performance on the perplexities of being Jewish today with 9 characters, 18 opinions and 1 actor

Mar 29 - Apr 13

Sat., Mar 29, Apr 6 & 12 at 8:30 p.m.; Sun., Mar 30 at 6:30 p.m. Sun Apr 6 & 13 at 2:30 p.m.

Thur., Apr 10 at 7:30 p.m.

A discussion follows each performance.

$13 General Admission; $10 Students & Seniors over 55

Pluss Theatre at the Mizel Center for the Arts, 350 S. Dahlia St.

Call 303-316-6360 for tickets or online atwww.maccjcc.org

More info at www.bellyofthewhale.net or www.wholespeak.com