Archive: Arts & Entertainment

Photo by Ken FriedmanThe Hangar Theatre in Ithaca, NY will kick off its' fall season with Wrestling Jerusalem, an original piece, written and performed by Aaron Davidman. The play examines the political divisions that have affected, and continue to affect, Israeli-Palestinian society and the world at large.  Wrestling Jerusalem will run from September 7-10 with performances at 7:30 at the Hangar Theatre.  Post-show discussions will follow. The Hangar Theatre's fall season will also include Mind the Gap, The Latin and World Music of Sally Ramirez and Doug Robinson, and Burns Sisters Home for the Holiday Concert. Tickets are on sale now.

Wrestling Jerusalem follows one man's journey as he attempts to better understand the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and grapple with the numerous viewpoints and beliefs associated with it.

Throughout the performance, Davidman will assume over a dozen different roles, transforming into a multitude of characters including Israelis, Palestinians, Americans, leftist rabbis, and conservative settlers. Each character has a wide range of experiences with personal and political viewpoints to share. Davidman's passionate performance grapples with the complexities of identity, history, and social justice, portraying the simultaneity of truths surrounding conflicts in the Middle East.

This show takes the audience on a journey of discovery, offering many relatable points of view, as Davidman unfolds the complex subjectivities that embody each distinct character.  On his personal blog centered around Wrestling Jerusalem, Davidman writes, "In some ways, I'm changed after every performance. These characters teach me, again and again, that the narratives that shape our world are subjective."

Each performance at the Hangar Theatre will be followed by professionally facilitated discussions intended to open a community dialogue about this difficult subject matter.  Josh Friedman, the Hangar's Managing Director, hopes that the project will have a profound impact on those who attend.


"We are looking forward to helping further the community dialogue around this difficult subject," he says.  "Our hope is that all attendees will leave with a willingness to listen to differing opinions and with a desire to actively seek common ground with those who would otherwise be considered opponents."

Along with Wrestling Jerusalem, the Hangar's fall season will include Mind the Gap, The Latin and World Music of Sally Ramirez and Doug Robinson, and Burn Sisters' Home for the Holidays Concert. Mind the Gap is a concert celebrating iconic female British pop stars, including Adele, Amy Winehouse, Dusty Springfield, and Petula Clark, created by the same team who wrote August 1969: A Tribute to the Women of Woodstock and Back to the Garden. Mind the Gap will premiere at the Hangar on October 7th and 8th at 7:30 pm. Sally Ramirez and Doug Robinson return to the Hangar, for a one night only engagement, named The Latin and World Music of Sally Ramirez and Doug Robinson. The concert will feature music by celebrated composers from the Latin and European world. Catch Sally and Doug at the Hangar on October 14th at 8:00 pm. To close out the Hangar's fall season, the Burns Sisters are back with their annual Holiday Concert. Natives of Ithaca, these women have traveled across the world performing various folk tunes. This sister act is known for their harmonies, great lyrics, and joyous energy. This two-night engagement is December 16th and 17th at 8:00 pm.

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