The 23rd annual Lipinsky Family San Diego Jewish Arts Festival gets under way Friday, May 27 and runs though July 17. Highlights include Hershey Felder as Leonard Bernstein in “Maestro” (Lyceum Stage, July 6-17)); Rosina Reynolds in “Golda’s Balcony”(New Village Arts Theatre, May 27-June 26); Phil Johnson and Marni Freedman’s “A Jewish Joke” (North Coast Repertory Theatre, June 20-21); and Yale Strom’s “Chaldean Jazz” (Lyceum Space, May 31). In addition, the Los Angeles Women’s Theatre presents “The Blessing of a Broken Heart,” based on Sherri Mandell’s award-winning book (Chabad Jewish Center of Oceanside/Vista, June 23). For additional information and a complete list of attractions, contact the Rep box office at (619) 544-1000 or visit sdrep.org. Nods, free stuff “Bright Star,” the Edie Brickell/Steve Martin musical premiered at the Old Globe Theatre in 2014, just received the best musical nod from New York’s Outer Critics Circle Awards. Also among the awardees was UCSD graduate Danny Burstein, who received an award for his portrayal of Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof,” for which he’s also received a Tony nomination. At 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 23 in Hattox Hall, the Old Globe presents a free screening of “The Citizen,” starring Egyptian film star Khaled Nabawy, who plays Anwar Sadat in the Globe’s production of “Camp David” (May 13-June 19). Reservations are required. Tickets may be reserved by visiting theoldglobe.org/pdp/15-16-season1/the-citizen/ or by calling the ticket office at (619) 23-GLOBE (234-5623). Playwright Ann-Charlotte Harvey’s ‘retirement’ In retirement from the theater department at San Diego State University, Anne-Charlotte Harvey is making sure no grass grows under her feet. Her fascinating world-premiere play “Dinner with Marlene” continues at Lamb’s Players Theatre through May 29, and now her world-premiere translation of Henrik Ibsen’s “Hedda Gabbler” is slated for June 4 through 26 at North Coast Repertory Theatre. Director David Ellenstein’s dynamite cast includes Cristina Soria, Rhona Gold, Bruce Turk, Mhari Sandoval, Mel House, Ray Chambers and Richard Baird.northcoastrep.org or (858) 481-1055. Words on ‘Great Scott’ The world premiere co-production (with Dallas Opera) of Jake Heggie’s “Great Scott” played four performances at San Diego Opera May 7 through 15. Having attended the October premiere at Dallas’ Winspear Opera House, I was eager to see how subsequent cuts made by Heggie and librettist Terrence McNally affected the work and also to hear new company members Kate Aldrich as prima donna Arden Scott and Joyce El-Khoury as her upstart rival, Tatyana Bakst. The originally now-cut aria was a paean to donors sung by beloved mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade, who plays Arden’s youthful mentor and owner of the opera company producing the fictional composer Vittorio Bazzetti’s fictional opera, “Rosa Dolorosa, Figlia di Pompei.” The creators felt von Stade’s aria brought the action to a standstill, so it was out of there, as were parts of the Ghost scene. That’s when 19th-century composer Bazzetti (handsome bass-baritone Philip Skinner) stops by Arden’s dressing room, giving her advice and an excuse to sing a 21st-century mad scene. In case you missed knowing it, the opera is a celebration of opera and all that makes it grand. “Great Scott” now clocks in at 3 hours, just about right so far as I’m concerned. What I did on their vacation I entertained houseguests from Austin, Texas, and Warren, Ohio, who came to San Diego to see “Great Scott” again. I met two of these women on a Metropolitan Opera-hosted Great Lakes cruise several years ago. The onboard entertainers were Heggie and von Stade – who could resist that? Last year, we were together at Carnegie Hall and Pittsburgh Symphony, and I met up with all three in Dallas for the “Great Scott” opening last October. You might say they are Jake and Flicka fans. I took my guests to see ion theatre company’s “Jesus Hates Me” and MOXIE Theatre’s “Our Lady of Kibeho” and also to a preview performance of Diversionary’s impressive world-premiere musical, “The Boy Who Danced on Air” (May 14-June 12). The last day, we toured the city from UCSD to Coronado. There’s nothing like out-of-town visitors to make you appreciate what you take for granted – the weather, the friendly merchants, the fine restaurants, the beauty of our city and the excellence of our arts scene.
