Review – “The Immigrant” at Sierra Madre Playhouse

THEATRE REVIEW

“The Immigrant” at the Sierra Madre Playhouse (Photo – Gina Long).

Immigration being a current topic with many aspects and opinions, this play is timely. However, it is unique in many ways, primarily because it’s unlikely that most Americans have in-depth knowledge of the Jewish Russians who came to weave themselves and their culture into the American quilt as they fled the anti-Jewish pogroms of the Russian Empire at the turn of the century.

By Carol Edger Germain

Although many were settled into larger cities, the “Galveston Plan” diverted some of the Russians through Texas to avoid having them all concentrated in large cities. The Harelik family settled in tiny Hamilton, Texas, population approximately 1200, and remained its only Jewish family for decades. This story is also intriguing because it was written by the grandson (Mark Harelik) of the Russian couple, Haskell and Leah Harelik (Adam Lebowitz-Lockard and Sigi Gradwohl) who inspired this “docudrama.” Although the author added some fictionalized incidents and typical scenarios of the time to weave the story, he actually lived in the three-generation Harelik household. I was fortunate to be at one of the performances which included a talk-back with the author, director, and actors after the play, and enjoyed the additional stories and background shared by Mr. Harelik.

Haskell arrives in Hamilton speaking only Yiddish, and selling penny bananas to squeak by and hopefully send money to his wife in Russia to bring her here. Out of step with the homogenized flow of the town, he sparks curiosity and a bit of apprehension, but not resistance. He is earnest and hardworking, and when he collapses outside the home of the town banker and his wife, Milton and Ima Perry (Stuart W. Howard and Kaye Kittrell), Ima urges Stuart to let him bathe at the faucet on the side of the house and get a night’s rest. The friendship and mentoring continues, with some bumps along the road. After getting to know the characters and observing their progressive interaction in the first act, the second act takes off at a more rapid pace and there are some bumps in the road – the arrival of Haskell’s pregnant wife, an attack on Haskell by some locals, Milton’s wavering on his continued encouragement of Haskell, Leah’s feelings of isolation as she gives birth and raises her children, etc. Although there area conflicts, eventually becoming quite heated and causing a rift, ultimately the story focuses on the humanity of all the characters and how their close interaction fostered understanding and how they realized their shared goals of security and abundance for their families in accordance with their separate values and resources. All who see it should reflect on the immigrants in their family history because of course, unless you are 100% Native American, your family were immigrants as well.

Kaye Kittrell and Stuart W. Howard (Photo – Gina Long).

The play is directed by Simon Levy, also a Jewish immigrant (although he arrived at 2 and spoke English, giving him a slightly easier experience than the Hareliks encountered), but nonetheless subject to prejudice and name-calling. He is also directing “The Chosen,” which I reviewed earlier and is still running. I recommend both.

The creative minimal set – basically one door and two steps – becomes a stage-wide, changing location throughout the play via projection, and it’s done very effectively thanks primarily to Matthew G. Hill, the scenic and projection designer, and Derek Jones, the lighting designer.

And of course the Sierra Madre Playhouse is local, friendly, and charming, with the park nearby as well as several excellent choices for a meal before or after the play, and the usual free parking – behind the theater or on the street.

Sigi Gradwohl and Adam Lebowitz-Lockard (Photo – Gina Long).

The Immigrant
• Written by Mark Harelik
• Directed by Simon Levy
• Produced by Christian Lebano. Co-Producer: Estelle Campbell.
• Cast:
Adam Lebowitz-Lockard, Sigi Gradwohl, Kaye Kittrell and Stuart W. Howard.
Sierra Madre Playhouse
87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, CA 91024
(AAmple free parking behind theatre).
• Through May 26, 2018.
Fri. & Sat. at 8:00 and Sun. at 2:30.
Saturday matinee on 2:30 on May 26.
General admission: $25 to $40
• Buy tickets here.