from press releases

The Root Theatre Company’s production of the controversial “Seven Jewish Children: A Play for Gaza” wraps up this week at Chico’s Café Culture with doors opening at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday with a $5 donation at the door and 7:30 performance.

The Root, an alliance of artists from northern California, decided to focus entirely on the brief play by acclaimed playwright Caryl Churchill, author of “Top Girls,” “Cloud 9,” and many more, instead of adding a second show (”Monsieur Ibrahim & the Flowers of the Qur’an,” by French playwright Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt).

“Seven Jewish Children: A Play for Gaza” is a ferocious indictment of racial propaganda, viewing the Gaza conflict through the eyes of children and what parents tell them about war and the enemy.

Churchill has called the event “not just a theater event but a political one” and director Mike Flanagan has included a discussion after the show with varying guest speakers from the community. According to Flanagan, last week’s talk by Ron Hirschbein, professor of philosophy and director of the Peace Institute at Chico State, had many in attendance engaged in discussion and many vocalized that they were “moved by the performances.”

Flanagan has assembled a cast of actors from Redding and Chico with several familiar names to Chico audience,s such as Erika Anne Soerensen and Samantha Perry, both last seen in The Blue Room’s October production of “Reservoir Dolls,” a take on Quentin Tarantino’s “Reservoir Dogs,” with a female cast. Cast member Bob Koroluck of Redding was last seen in “Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll” by Eric Bogosian in December at Old City Hall, and Deanne Jones Foley was last seen as Blanche DuBois in the Shasta College production of Tennessee Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire” last March.

“These actors weren’t drawn to this project by lots of lines but by the characters, the relationships and the drama,” said Flanagan who reworked the 10-page monologue into a more conversational piece. “I believe theatre can be a collaborative process, so I enjoyed working with the actors to create our version.” The original play is free of royalties and restrictions as long as production companies “pass the hat” to raise money for Medical Aid for Palestine, a nonprofit medical group.

“‘Seven Jewish Children’ is family friendly and topical,” said Café Culture owner Greg Fletcher. “It was a nice start to what we hope will be more quality theatrical productions here. We need to see what turnout we get this week to continue. We are a coffeehouse cafe, but in the evening we like to give back to our community with thought-provoking entertainment.”

Café Culture is in Chico at 931 W. 5th Street and can be reached at 530-277-5353. The Café Culture food and drink menu will be available before and after the performances so guests are encouraged to arrive early.

The Root’s last Chico production was the black comedy and marital-triangle play “The Scene,” by Theresa Rebeck, performed at The Blue Room in April. It attracted large houses and received very positive response. The Root has another theatrical production coming to Redding soon, and according to co-founder Flanagan, plans to return to Chico soon afterward for a showcase of talent from its hundred-plus member base. Members are nominated by their peers. More information is available at TheRootTheatre.com.

Classes, church and community groups are being encouraged to attend “Seven Jewish Children” and join the discussion of timely world events with last year’s Gaza War at the forefront. For reservations and show info call 530-243-7761 or 530-510-3548. Email questions to therootheatre@gmail.com.

Rehearsals take place in living rooms and dining rooms…

Kelly Brewer is a career journalist and co-publisher of anewscafe.com. You can also find her at Pink Hollyhock, LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.