As Israel celebrates its 75th anniversary as a modern nation in May, The Lewis and Shirley White Theatre at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City (The J) and Kansas City Actors Theatre will present the one-man show “Eddie: The Friendship That Changed History.”
The show will be performed on Saturday, May 13 (7:30 p.m.) and Sunday, May 14 (2 p.m.). The May 14 performance coincides with the actual 75th anniversary of the creation of the modern state of Israel.
Sponsored by the Truman Library Institute, this production is part of The White Theatre’s Special Engagement Series. Tickets are available at thewhitetheatre.org or by calling the box office at (913) 327-8054.
Starring veteran stage, film, and TV actor Victor Raider-Wexler, “Eddie: The Friendship That Changed History” tells the fascinating true story of Eddie Jacobson, an Army buddy, former business partner, and lifelong friend of President Harry S. Truman, who was instrumental in convincing Truman to support the United Nations resolution establishing the State of Israel in 1948. This one-man play was written by Bob Feinberg and Marvin Starkman.
Following both performances, there will be a facilitated discussion with a historian from the Truman Library, Raider-Wexler, and Kansas City Community Shalicha Noa Dovrat. In addition, thanks to the support of the Truman Library Institute, The J will be hosting the traveling exhibit “Harry S. Truman and the Birth of Israel,” which will be on display in the theater lobby through May 20.
“We are so pleased to partner with Kansas City Actors Theatre and the Truman Library Institute to bring this educational, entertaining work to the Kansas City community for the very first time,” said Keith Wiedenkeller, director of arts and culture at The J and managing artistic director of The White Theatre.
Wiedenkeller, who is co-directing the show with veteran director and producer Dennis Hennessy, said, “It’s especially important to share this story as Israel celebrates its 75th ‘birthday,’ for though it has been said that ‘without Harry Truman, there would be no Israel today,’ I would maintain that without the persistence, passion and determination of Eddie Jacobson, Truman might never have taken his courageous stand in the first place.”
Jacobson, the son of Jewish immigrants, first met Truman in 1905 when he moved to Kansas City. The pair reconnected in 1917 when they reported for basic training in Oklahoma during World War I. After the war, the two became business partners and remained close friends even after Truman became president. When it seemed that “the Palestine Problem” was unsolvable, Jacobson urged Truman to take one more meeting. Because of this, Truman became the first world leader to recognize the new state of Israel on May 14, 1948.
Raider-Wexler, who plays Jaconson, is an accomplished actor with credits including recurring roles in television shows like “Everybody Loves Raymond”, “Seinfeld” and “The King of Queens,” and individual appearances in almost 100 other shows. His film career spans over five decades and includes films such as “The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle,” “Dr. Dolittle 2,” and “Minority Report.” Because of his distinctive voice, Raider-Wexler has also played voiceover roles in numerous animated works, including the Netflix original series “Trollhunters,” and in video games. Kansas City audiences may recognize Raider-Wexler from his many appearances on stage here, including numerous Kansas City Actors Theatre productions and The White Theatre’s “Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins.”
Following “Eddie: The Friendship That Changed History,” The White Theatre will present a performance by the Kinnor Philharmonic on June 4 featuring the music of Aaron Copland. The theater’s 18th season will close with a four-week run of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” in July.
The White Theatre is located at The J, 5801 W. 115th St., Overland Park, KS 66211. The White Theatre box office is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., as well as 60 minutes before curtain on performance days.
Full descriptions and performance times for each event are available at TheWhiteTheatre.org.