Meet history’s most compelling and elusive figure, mankind’s ultimate hero, and the reason the Bible is the World’s #1 bestseller (well, it sure ain’t Leviticus baby.) If it weren’t for the Savior, that hack Dan Brown would be writing book jackets.
When I was 33 years old, toiling away in my own virtual obscurity while waiting to be discovered as the next Steven Spielberg, I took a job managing post-production for a feature length motion control ride on the life of Jesus Christ. I was certain my work on this ludicrous endeavor would provide endless material to regale both friends and family for years to come.
In spite of my jaded intentions, the experience impacted me profoundly. I read the Bible for the first time, read books about the Bible, even books about books about the Good Book. I am Jewish by birth, agnostic by choice, a movie going zealot by avocation. My interest in Jesus’ story didn’t lead to any religious conversion, but it did result in my watching-and thoroughly enjoying-33 films about Jesus Christ. It turns out the Savior and the Silver Screen share a long and fruitful history together.
As I continued to read–religious texts, philosophical tracts, and every movie history book I could get my hands on—I made even more unexpected connections: between Evangelical Christians and Orthodox Jews, between the Crucifixion and the Holocaust, between Polish shtetls and Hollywood back lots—and yes I swear it’s true, between Jesus movies and porn.
Soon I was consumed by questions. How did an impoverished rabbi become the father of modern Christianity? How did an illiterate Junkman from Minsk go on to re-invent the American dream? How do Jews in Hollywood address the Bible’s thorny “Jewish Question”? What are the sins of the father? Did “The Passion of the Christ” really gross $610 million worldwide?
Two epic heroes on a search for transcendence–one, the son of God; the other, son of a TV writer–travel dizzying speeds, taking hairpin twists and turns through sweeping historical vistas and deeply private moments; An epic comedic roller coaster– part movie history, part chronicle of Western Civilization; a stem-winding personal confession, a raconteur’s fever dream, a terrifying journey through the worst Jesus movie in all human history.
Fasten your seat belts. Take the JESUS RIDE.
Just a couple more videos of the work from last year’s convergence…
The convergence only happens for two weeks of the year, but it takes hours of carefully planning to take advantage of every hour of our time in Indianapolis. Take a look at that special time when we get everything started.
2011 Converger Christina Aimerito Feinberg led a number of workshops on puppet making during that year’s convergence, resulting in puppets finding their way into both side-projects and the umbrella project “Mythystory”.
GALILEO in AMERICA World Premiere
An original theatrical work created by Antoinette LaFarge and Robert Allen
Antoinette LaFarge, co-creator, writer, visual designer
Robert Allen, co-creator, director
Philip White, composer
Feb. 23, 24, 25 Evenings @ 8:00 p.m.
March 1, 2, 3 Evenings @ 8:00 p.m.
Feb. 25 and March 3 Matinees @ 2:00 p.m.
xMPL (Experimental Media Performance Lab) in the Contemporary Arts Center
This original multi-media work is about one of the stranger periods in American history. It was a time when the FBI kept meticulous files on German war refugees in Los Angeles (people like actor Peter Lorre and writer Thomas Mann). A time when beloved American artists like singer Pete Seeger and playwright Jerome Robbins were called on to testify about their political beliefs in front of the House UnAmerican Activities Committee. A time when civil liberties were threatened by blacklists; when clowns and inquisitors shared the spotlight and when people of integrity were forced to grapple with the true cost of living up to their principles. Not unlike today, you might say…
Part cabaret and part courtroom drama, Galileo in America focuses on the period in the 1940s when German playwright Bertolt Brecht fled to Santa Monica to escape the Nazis. During his exile years, Brecht and noted film actor Charles Laughton worked on a new production of his play about Galileo’s struggle with the Catholic Church.
Brecht and his friends were suspected of being communists and under constant surveillance by the FBI. At the end of this period, Brecht has his own reckoning with authority when he was called to testigy before the House UnAmerican Activities Committee. Galileo in America is structured as a surreal epic in which all these stories are twined into a single braid, bringing Galileo and his daughter, Virginia, face-to-face with the FBI agents who shadowed Brecht.
Galileo in America has been supported by the Goethe Institute in Los Angeles, Villa Aurora in Pacific Palisades, University of California, Irvine, and contributions from individual donors.
Prior to each show, tickets can be purchased online at www.arts.uci.edu/tickets
General Admission $15 Seniors $14 UCI Students and Children $11
If you’re a Bertol Brecht fan, don’t miss the Drama Department’s presentation of Mother Courage – and take advantage of special discounts if you buy a ticket to both productions — Tickets just $10 each when purchased together. To purchase the package, click here www.arts.uci.edu/tickets
Call the Arts Box Office for more information, (949) 824-2787
I can’t sleep, I’m in canada… Tomorrow is a big day and that’s all i say.
I hadn’t really updated my website, aside from keeping info current, in any real way in quite a while. And it was looking a bit dated. So, I remade it, what do you think?