Center summer Saturday-night show breaks precedent

With a new policy in place at the Jewish Community Center, summer Saturday nights will be fair game for theater. Starting next weekend, with the Center’s production of “Peter Pan,” shows at the Lewis and Shirley White Theatre can now take place before sundown on Saturday nights.

“It’s actually consistent with all the other things we’ve done at the Center in recent history,” said JCC Board President Bob Grant. “We’re trying to be more fiscally responsible, and having the stage open on Saturday is in line with other things (such as) the pool and the fitness center.”

Heretofore, in deference to Orthodox sensibilities, Center cultural-arts events had to wait until Shabbat was over. Dramatic shows have been produced on Saturday nights before, but always been during the winter, after an earlier sunset.

Grant said the Center board voted to allow the change after consulting with several members of the Jewish community, including some religiously-observant people. The change won’t cause anyone to miss out on the show, he said.

“It’s in line with our policy that we will never have a program any time during Shabbat that is not available at another time during the week; many of our constituents welcome the change,” he said.

Looking forward
Grant said the idea for the change came from the Center’s cultural arts committee. He hopes the change will bring more ticket-sales revenue.
So far, he hasn’t heard much reaction from the Jewish community. Of the people he spoke with prior to the board vote, “nobody thought it was a big deal. The snack bar at the pool is open (on Saturday) and has been for years.”

He also pointed out that the Center’s athletic facilities have been open on Saturday mornings for several years.

Director of Theatre Mark Swezey says he’s looking forward to “Peter Pan.” The show’s cast features a number of children, just as last season’s summer production of “Oliver” did.

“We have a real mixed cast of little children through some senior adults,” Swezey said. “Peter Pan’s a unique show. We are bringing in the Flying by Foy company like (we did with) ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ ”

This show has more flying scenes than “Oz,” Swezey said. The cast will start practicing with the flying equipment next week.

'Peter Pan' ready to fly

Performances of “Peter Pan” will be at 7:30 p.m. July 11-16; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 18; and 2 p.m. Sundays, July 12 and 19. Tickets are $10 for students, $15 for Center members and $20 for non-JCC members. To buy tickets, call the box office, (913) 327-8054.

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