The Book of Judith

Unfortunate news!

2010-11-09T21:15:00.002-05:00

Hi All,

Unfortunately, our performance in the UK have had to be cancelled due to unforseen reasons of health. We are all fine, and health issues are on the mend, though we still had to sit this one out.

We are in talks about the 2012 DaDa Festival.

Stay tuned, as we are hard at work putting together an upcoming Ontario Tour.

With love and warm wishes for the upcoming cold season

xo

Michael

WORKSHOP RECAP

2010-10-05T15:28:00.012-04:00

Hello.

It is the Tuesday after our workshop.

There are a number of things that I've wanted to communicate over the course of this time--because, in all honesty, the workshop was very HARD. Sarah and I burnt out half-way through, which left us with no choice but to work on fumes. The Friday before beginning our time in St.Catherines, Kazumi had to back out of the performance--which was very sad for us--but his prior commitment to a documentary he was working on had to take priority. We understood. Kazumi's been a huge part of this workshop and The Book of Judith. He brings a lot of intelligence and experience into the room, not to mention generousity and he's a great performer. But we trekked on ... as we continue to.

The next day, Saturday, we presented the Choir with the latest draft (completed the evening before). We did a work-through in the space ... which was hard. Very Hard. At the end of the work through, the choir, and everyone else (myself included) just wanted to get the hell out of there, back to Toronto--back to safety. Something was not right. Something was not fun.

1. Gywn 2. Lesley

1. Nick & Mariah 2. Frank

On the ride home, Sarah, Mariah, Wanda and I all spoke about the piece--trying to understand where the holes were. In the car, I started to look through the script ... why was it so hard? Why was it not fun anymore?

And then I get a call from Judith Snow.

"Michael" she says. "I have a fever. I'm in bed sick. I don't think I can come tomorrow".

The next morning she confirms. Judith Snow cannot be in the workshop presentation.

Ok. Breath. Deep breaths. We'll work this out. After all, its not the FIRST time Judith couldn't make it.

And so, we had on our hands a new draft of the play that was NOT FUN, and we no longer had JUDITH SNOW. I looked over at Sarah, and she had her head in her hands. I could almost hear the moans coming from her brain/body. What the hell were we going to do.

"We'll be okay. We always will."

I give her a hug, and we determine that I'll take a look at the script, and try and fix it.

1. Sarah 2. Michael & Mariah

I get in the house, and I stumble across an earlier quote that we used of Judith's. Something like: "Now, the only thing left to do, is to figure out how to do the play without me".

It was like she was speaking to me through my own play.

I will admit that I was also quite tired, and feeling sick and possibly a touch delusional. But whatever the excuse for this visitation, it seemed to do the trick.

I spent the next three hours writing a final draft that helped us find the play of the play. The choir went for being disdainful and aggressive to full-on-cheerleaders ... for the play ... for Judith Snow. Rocky Horris Picture Snow. The choir is the life-blood of the work ... and they are also the representative for Judith Snow in her absence ... and perhaps always have been. Judith tried to tell us, but we've noticed that we have a hard time always hearing Judith Snow. Surprise, Surprise. ARTLIFESHUTUP.

But, as she has before, as she has now, and as she will continue to ... once again, the answer came from her.

The next day in St. Catherines, the Choir communed by around 2:00. We used the next three hours to work through the new draft. An hour to eat--and then the audience came.

And there it was. The play was back. It was not all there, of course, as I was still on book, and there's still some work to be done on the script ... but we've found the play and made it stronger.

And something happened at the end of the performance. Something very profound and more poignant than we could have ever expected. And it could not have happened any other way ... we could not have planned it ... though, it seems like we did ... like John Locke (LOST) says, faith. faith. faith.

Those who know me, know i am not a man of faith ... but those who also know me know that everything I do seems to be an attempt to find/contradict/embrace it.

It was possibly the most poignant experiences in the theatre of my life.

I'd like to tell you what it was. If you were there, you know. If you weren't, we are going to keep it for ourselves ... because we do not want to spoil it ... and we hope it will happen again. It may not, but if it does, we hope you will not see it coming, as we hadn't.

And so. There you go. The Book of Judith is alive once more. It continues to transform us, and audiences.

A few comments from the audience that night were:

"It speaks to the soul and to what is really important in this life."

"Absolutely amazing!"

"Beautiful, beautiful program!"

I’m assuming that Matthew will have his script memorized – very important (this one made me laugh)

The show continues to be as strange, confusing, frustrating, moving, beautiful and exciting. In just over a months time, we take it to the U.K. to continue on.

What happens next is a mystery.

But we are sure of one thing.

It will always be a surprise.

With love and tenderness.

Michael.

1. Andrew 2. Judith

1. Emily 2. Irena

Shots during the performance taken by Jason Cadieux (ECT)

The Book of Judith pt. 2

2010-09-25T12:26:00.008-04:00

Ladies and Gentleman, we are thrilled to announce that the Book of Judith has begun its second life. We have received two excellent pieces of news. The first was an invite from the DaDaFest in the U.K. We will be performing the show twice. Once in Glasgow on Wednesday, November 17th at the Hamilton Townhouse and on Sunday, November 21st at the Sefton Palm House in Liverpool.

We've also received a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation for an Ontario Tour of the show--and will be doing a workshop presentation of the newest incarnation of The Book of Judith on Sunday, October 3rd in St.Catherines, Ontario at the Market Square start at 6:00 (see press release below)

Sarah Garton Stanley and I recently travelled to London, England, where we joined forces with Alex Bulmer and did three days of script workshop together in preparation for a continued workshop back in Toronto.

We've been workshopping the piece with some invited members of the original choir back to help us in this next step, as well as Composer, Andrew Penner and Musical Director, Nick Carpenter (from Montreal!) and Wanda Fitzgerald stepping into the role of Pippa (formerly Alex) for this workshop. We're all very excited, and the show has gotten even stronger than it was before.... with some changes to the music, and some changes in the Book!

left to right: Andrew, Steve, Frank, Mark, Kazumi, Emily

left to right: Frank, Mark, Kazumi, Emily, Gwyn, Irena

left to right: Gwyn, Irena, Lesley, Erin, Nick

Stay tuned for more info as it comes our and your way ... because more is coming ... oh yes oh yes.

With Love,
Michael

***

For Immediate Release: September 20, 2010
For more info contact: jason@ectheatre.ca

The Self Conscious Theatre Company, in association with The Theatre Centre and The Essential Collective Theatre present a workshop presentation of: THE BOOK OF JUDITH

September 20, 2010 – After a sold-out two-week run in downtown Toronto in May 2009, the acclaimed production, The Book of Judith, is preparing an upcoming tour of Ontario and the U.K. Self Conscious Theatre Company, in association with The Theatre Centre and Essential Collective Theatre, are pleased to present a workshop presentation of this very exciting piece of theatre.

“This is not the world I would have designed” – Judith Snow

Performed in St. Catharines’ Market Square, The Book of Judith, created by Michael Rubenfeld and Sarah Garton Stanley, is a musical play about a self-annointed preacher man who is passionately driven to change the lives of others. After a chance meeting with a quadriplegic woman named Judith Snow, theatre artist Matthew Goldberg (Michael Rubenfeld) believes he has “seen the light”. With the help of his director, Shauna Coupland (Sarah Garton Stanley), and her best friend, disabled artist, Pippa McLaren (Wanda Fitzgerald), Matthew has managed to coral a fully integrated group of choristers with and without disability, to help him tell, for the first time, his inspirational, maniacal and deeply suspect tale of Judith Snow. The Book of Judith takes us from innocence to ignorance and through to the other side – a truer place of transformation.

The Book of Judith
Created by Michael Rubenfeld and Sarah Garton Stanley
Directed by Sarah Garton Stanley
Music Composed by Andrew Penner
Musical Direction by Nick Carpenter
Performed by Michael Rubenfeld, Sarah Garton Stanley, Wanda Fitzgerald, The Book of Judith Choir (Gwyneth Baillie, Erin Brandenburg, Mark Brose, Lesley Dowey, Frank G. Hull, Irena Kagansky, Emily Scheer, Steve Schwabl, and Kazumi Tsuruoka) and featuring Judith Snow.

Sunday, October 3rd. 6:00 pm
St. Catharines Market Square (corner of King & James)

For tickets: RSVP to jason@ectheatre.ca

* This is a FREE workshop presentation of the work.
For more info: www.bookofjudithplay.blogspot.com

-30-

Great Review from Paula Citron (post-show)

2009-06-12T02:49:00.004-04:00

Theatre Centre – Michael Rubenfeld’s The Book of Judith

reviewed by Paula Citron
_____________________________

The Book of Judith
Theatre Centre, Absit Omen & Die In Debt
Written by Michael Rubenfeld (with Sarah G. Stanley)
Directed by Sarah G. Stanley
Starring Michael Rubenfeld (with choir)
At the tent on the CAMH grounds
____________________________

Sadly, the run of The Book of Judith is over, but it was a fascinating theatrical experience. It took place in a tent on the grounds of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health so that it would be completely disabled-friendly. The format of the play was an old-fashioned revival camp meeting. Audiences were given missals which contained the prayers and the hymns composed by Andrew Penner. There was an on-stage choir of eleven mostly disabled singers.

Playwright, librettist and performer Michael Rubenfeld is one of Toronto’s most interesting men of theatre. The genesis of the play was Rubenfeld’s encounter with quadriplegic, activist and visual artist Judith Snow, and the initial starting point was, “How do you find a lover for a quadriplegic?”

The plot is basically the history of Rubenfeld writing the play with co-writer and director Sarah G. Stanley, but it is also much more than that. It is the story of a remarkable woman called Judith Snow told through wit, humour and passion.

Closed ... and opened!

2009-05-31T23:56:00.005-04:00

We closed the show today to a sold out house and another standing ovation.

This has been the wildest ride of my life.

There has been a lot of encouragement for a tour, from many different sources, and and so we're currently just wrapping our head around how to make this happen.

There are a great many people, especially within the disability community, who have been quite explicit about their feelings that everyone should see this play and that it needs to tour. This has been very encouraging. What works about this play, I think, is that it is not about disability at all. It is about me. It is about my relationship to a woman named Judith Snow who I saw at first as a quadriplegic, and then saw as Judith Snow, and now see as my friend who I love. Its that simple, but within that simplicity holds the sort of complexity we are faced whenever we meet anybody for the first time, and the hurdles we face whenever we try to move beyond assumption to get to something authentic with another human being. This is the story that my relationship to Judith was able to help me tell, and her quadriplegia was the key to unlocking questions that we don't particularily like to ask ... mainly : What is standing in the way of love?

The answer to that question usually has way more to do with ourselves, and what it is that we don't see about ourselves.

And that was the play for me. My ignornance. My prejudice. My foolishness. My boundaries. My desire to move beyond myself to become a "better" self.

It is a real blessing that for many, it seems these things became also very personal.

So. Amazing, yes?

At the centre, perhaps, we really do all want the same things? Perhaps? Perhaps?

I think so.

Not everyone will agree with me. That's fine. But hopefully, if you didn't like the play, you at least REALLY HATED IT. I would be much happier about that. That was never the intent, of course, but if you HATE it, then perhaps we were doing something right in there.

I am proud that we were able to tell this story surrounding questions of love within the context of disability, and have it put me, a "non-disabled" person at the centre of the story. I thought we would piss more people off than we did. It is miraculous that it has been embraced as much as it has.

The houses were very good, though not as amazing as we had though based on the reaction to the play. We had a couple of reviewers who didn't seem to understand the play, which was fine, though I do wonder what goes on in a reviewers mind when an audience gives a standing ovation to a piece that they do not like. I wonder if they ever question their own ability to grasp the work. Or, perhaps they think the audience is somehow below them or not as aware or doesn't understand theatre the way they do. This is an interesting question, because the piece really is asking the audience to question their own relationship to their own ego ... and of course, when one's job is to publically flex their ego, and determine that their opinion is quite important, this piece would likely be quite complicated to connect to. I understood, for the first time, the complication in the role of being a reviewer. To enter into a show preparing to review the work already instantly seperates the them from the work, as how can one review a piece of work that is asking the audience to include themselves in it? In any case, I do feel compassion for the role of the reviewer, as it must be very complicated to exist in the context of always being feared rather than loved.

IT IS HARD TO LOVE.

It is also easy.

But to get to easy, it seems so important to recognize that it is equally very hard.

Thank-you to Sarah Stanley, for being as brilliant an artist as she is as compassionate a human.
Thank-you to Andrew Penner for the humbling and beautiful music.
Thank-you to Franco Boni and the Theatre Centre for creating space for this show to happen, and for continuing to be a leader in this city for developing alternative creation based work.
Thank-you to Alex Bulmer for leading us in the choir with her vision.
Thank-you to Nick Carpenter for helping the music live!
Thank-you to Andrea Lundy for making everything a reality.
Thank-you to the Tanya Greves and her unborn child for keeping things alive.
Thank-you to Beth Kates for making us beautiful, and for constantly offering her love.
Thank-you to Stéphane Monnet for giving the show image.
Thank-you to the choir for helping this piece move from a play to a crusade.
Thank-you for Caleb and Tara for being a part of this from the beginning, and for being a part of it now, and for loving me and letting me love you (and exploit you).
And thank-you to Judith for staying true to yourself, whether people like it or not. Without you, this would not have happened ... and thank-you for knowing that.

I leave you with words from Judith that I've taken from her personal blog to re-post here.

Much love,
Michael
xo

***

Well, I am deeply immersed in the play: “The Book of Judith.” I wouldn’t have thought that the play and World Peace through Inclusion were related a mere three weeks ago. Now I understand that they truly are and so I am reporting on the play and my experience of it in this blog. Anyone who might have a chance to come and see the play in Toronto will really, really get something out of it, so don’t miss your chance!

“The Book of Judith” has mainly been created by Michael Rubenfeld and Sarah Stanley. A subtext of the play is about my part in their co-creation, a part which seemed to end about April of 2008. It was at this point that I got sick and tired the advocacy flavour of the piece. I was also beginning to have serious thoughts about taking on World Peace through Inclusion as my main focus at that time, although it was several months before I would meet Gabor and we begin serious consideration about taking off for six months.

Some of you know how deeply I struggle with the concept of advocacy even though I am often thought of as an advocate. The root of the idea is to speak for someone else. It contains within it the ever present idea that people who are considered to be disabled require other people’s help in order to function as human beings. It is not so much that we need advocates, as we need listeners, since even those who have no voice are very good at communicating and even better at contributing. Given that, it is no great task to discover what their dreams are and to create ways for them to contribute even more fully in society. We do not need to advocate; we need to pay attention.

So I was burnt out, disgusted, and unwillingly to spend the time and energy it would take – or at least, so it seemed – to shift Michael and Sarah’s focus. In this play Michael reads the email where I clearly told him and Sarah that I was out of the picture.

Last January, when I had to come back to Toronto so that issues around the funding of my personal assistance could be resolved, I went to a reading of the play which at that time had minimal structure and was being formed as a musical with Alex Bulmar as choir leader and Andrew Penner as composer. It was evident that Michael, and no doubt along with him Sarah, had taken a major shift in focus, and that in fact Michael was prepared to express a vulnerable and moving shift in his understanding of me personally and the life experience of people who get excluded by being labeled.

Those who get to know this play will understand that I was conflicted at that moment. On the one hand it would require me to allow myself to be exposed and in some ways, deified, so that the play could be formed. In other words, every view that other people have of me would become fully expressed in public – odd, inspirational, wrongheaded, bullheaded, artistic, curtly articulate, and more. It was no small struggle to agree to have these images boldly displayed.

At the same time, Michael himself takes a personal beating in terms of his ego and reputation. I realized that he is not putting me through this wringer as some kind of sacrificial lamb to a great cause, but he and Sarah have uncovered a brilliant format to create the context that could blow all the stereotypes to the wind.
I agreed with some reluctance to participate in “The Book of Judith” and justified it to myself as necessary to make up for the fact that I had abandoned Michael and Sarah at a critical stage in their process and that I owed it to them, particularly Michael who had put so much of himself into creating our group in the first place. I came to the rehearsals with that attitude.

Two or three days into the rehearsals I began to realize the genius of the structure of the play. A few more days and I awakened to the brilliance of having it be a musical with a choir made up of volunteer men and women, many of them people with disability labels themselves. They are at times my voice and at times Michael’s voice and very much the voice of people whose voice and social presence is erased by the societal oppression we call disability. At times there are some very humourous moments where the choir affirms the amazing possibilities that lie within the personal experience of being someone whose abilities are considered “wrong”.

And so now I am having a bit of fun with the whole thing. I have also had a wonderful opportunity to meet many of the choir members on a personal level and have some moments of deep reflection on our common journey.

Perhaps the greatest learning for me has been how much I was, and probably still am, caught up in the mirage of disability. This play could never have come to be being if I had not thought that my current singleness was the “fault” of my being quadriplegic. I started and fuelled the entire cascade of errors and events by believing that it is my stillness that places an obstacle between myself and potential lovers, and not just the reality of my being busy, somewhat solitary, and Britishly inhibited! It’s an amazing thing to have a play open your eyes to your own foolishness.

But back to World Peace through Inclusion. “The Book of Judith” is an on-the-ground (or on-the-stage) exposition of the contributions that people can make when they are included. It is also a full exploration of the journey that it takes for people to go from seeing each other as strangers to having collegial and intimate relationships. It’s a full expression of how peace is created when people take on the struggle to work from diversity instead of from sameness. I will never have a better example of what I have been talking about than this play.

We are very much hoping to tour the show. Anybody who has some ideas about this, please let me know.

By the way it has been a long time since I told anybody how to get in touch with us and/or the World Peace through Inclusion Foundation. My email is: avalanche0809@gmail.com and my phone # is: 647-232-9344. Gabor Podor is at gaborpodor@gmail.com.

Videos and information about “The Book of Judith” can be found at: www.bookofjudithplay.blogspot.com. Enjoy!
Judith

ONE SHOW LEFT!

2009-05-31T09:48:00.001-04:00

OUR LAST SHOW IS TODAY AT 11:00.

Come and be healed one last time.

BIG TENT ON THE CAMH FRONT LAWN!

3 shows left!

2009-05-30T09:34:00.002-04:00

THERE ARE 3 PERFORMANCES OF THE SHOW LEFT!

416.534.9261 to PRE-BOOK. or Just SHOW UP AT THE TENT!

Today at 2:30 and 8:30. Tomorrow at 11:00am.

Last night was a special night. We were almost sold out, and the rain made the show really magical. A very overwhelming standing ovation, and an unbelievable amount of generousity from the audience. There were a bunch of people in the audience who have known Judith, and a few with who shared stories of Judith working with their own children who have/had disabilities. Another woman shared her story about wanting to make theatre, but didn't know how. The show inspired her own questions, and she is now going to begin her own pursuit of answering her very large, complex questions.

I love this show. Love it. I love that others are loving it so much. I love that it is both moving people and inspiring people.

I hope to see you at the theatre sometime today or tomorrow.

Love.
Michael

from "Play Anon" blog

2009-05-30T01:15:00.002-04:00

Catherine Kustanczy, from the Play Anon blog saw the show this evening, and wrote a really fantastic response to the piece. Here it is, reposted. It is so great to have people writing about the work who actually have understood the work. Thanks Catherine.

***

Know the anxious, wearing feeling you get when you really want to do something outside your usual comfort zone, but this little gnawing voice inside you keeps whispering, in that tiny, tinny, maliciously-snickery way, "you can't... you can't... " ? You know that going through with whatever task it is will, in some way, be an important step in terms of development, but there’s that constant voice - mocking, questioning, criticizing –making you question your judgment and motivation, making you weight the outcomes, blowing the putrid stench of fear all over your best intentions. It doesn’t matter whether the task is big or small; usually those tasks, for everyone, involve a display of vulnerability.

Vulnerability is scary. It implies openness. And within that openness, a willingness to go forwards, into the unknown. The best kind of creativity –and certainly, my favourite sort of live performance –involves artists confronting their own vulnerability. With performance, the fact this quest is done within a public sphere makes the journey all the more thrilling, involving, and yes, important. We need to see that bravery, so we can embrace it in ourselves and go forwards.

The Book of Judith is Michael Rubenfeld's attempt to wrap his head around his relationship with disabled advocate Judith Snow. As he told me when I interviewed him about the work on Take 5 recently, he met Snow through a friend who was working as her personal assistant. Snow has no qualms about displaying her vulnerability for all the world to see; then again, she doesn’t have much of a choice. She is a quadriplegic. She depends on others for her survival. She has had to make peace with her vulnerability being a fact –publicly and privately –for all of her fifty-plus years.

Rubenfeld was inspired to write a work around her when he was asked if he knew anyone who might want to be her lover. The Book Of Judith is his personal odyssey to create a work around Snow related to this most distinct of inquiries - but in so doing, he finds something much greater, something I suspect he hadn’t thought he’d find when he first started out. He finds the lines between "able" and "unable" dissolving; he finds definitions of “normal” and “abnormal” fading, and perhaps most importantly, he find a whole new way to embrace his own vulnerability –thus allowing us to embrace ours. Several times through the play, we’re asked to make eye contact with our fellow audience members, share food, sing, clap, cheer, and relate not just to what’s unfolding before us, but to what is being revealed within us.

I’ve always had mixed feelings around personal memoir-style theatre; much of it tends to fall into the gutter of self-indulgent preaching, and here, Rubenfeld walks a fine line; while he claims knowing Snow made him “a less arrogant prick,” he displays a stunning male bravado, full of ferocious cheerleading and sloganeering. That all falls away, however, when he realizes Snow had, in fact, wanted him as a lover. The fervent gospel-style preaching he’d indulged in earlier morphs into guilt, angst-ridden justifying, fervent bargaining, self-loathing, and finally, the kind of vulnerability that might make more staid audiences shift uncomfortably. Yup, he gets his kit off. The fact he so willingly uses his own body as a palette on which the audience may paint their own prejudices, sketch their own fears, and project their own vulnerabilities, is remarkable –it’s a brave choice, but it’s also the right one.

The Book Of Judith is a good reminder of the healing effects of connection, one of those being the community created through art. Judith Snow has written that “living in this way challenges and extends our courage, our love, our empathy for others and our creativity. We see and hear what others miss entirely.” That’s a good metaphor for artists. And Snow is her own kind of artist –the kind who accepts and in fact, loves her vulnerability. The voice we hear saying “you can’t” is one she’s turned into “I have… and I am.” Hallelujah. Praise be.

FRIDAY!!! ONLY 4 SHOWS LEFT!

2009-05-29T16:34:00.002-04:00

FOUR SHOWS LEFT! CALL 416.534.9261 to book tickets, or just SHOW UP AT THE TENT!

Last night was a remarkable night. It was unbelievably damp in the tent, and both myself and Alex (choir master) were quite sick. Alex was in fact, fluish. We thought the tent would be empty because of the weather.

WE WERE WRONG.

The tent was more than 3/4 full! A very nice surprise.

Because of the weather, I handed out blankets to everyone. It was a great opportunity to connect with people in the tent before-hand ... and a reminder the the piece is very truly an attempt to connect and communicate, but more importantly, and exploration on just how complex and complicated that desire is, despite its universal appeal. It is quite interesting to see how much an audience's experience in dependent on the specific audience. I don't think people are used to coming to the theatre, and asked to be a part of what is happening. This show literally only works if we are all working together.

Yesterday was magical, because despite being a bit bummed because of weather and illness, we somehow managed to pull together one of our most unique shows of the run. So unique, in fact, that at one point, a friendly resident from CAMH popped her head in and sang us a full song. She then said "bye" and calmly left the tent. It felt shockingly natural. Amazing. Strange. Very Strange. But equally beautiful. Perfect in fact.

Another generous standing ovation from the audience, and in a bit of beautiful irony, a member of a granting body revealed his desire to help the piece continue to live and tour the country. Amazing. Truly.

Thank again all for the continued outpour of response to the piece.

Every night continues to excite and surprise both us and audiences. We're so happy that slowly people are professing their desire to help the show tour. We think it should, and now, we think it will.

xoMichael

4.5/5 from panicmanual.com!

2009-05-28T17:55:00.001-04:00

Theatre Review: The Book of Judith [The Theatre Centre]

27 May

Sometimes I think maybe it would be fun to go to an evangelical church service. Not like Billy Graham evangelical or televangelism, more like the fictional evangelical stuff that you see sometimes, like in Blues Brothers where the late James Brown is the preacher, he’s in a room full of people with a band and a choir on a beautiful summer’s day, and everyone is so into the sermon they randomly jump out of their pews to shout, sing, and dance.

The Book of Judith, a play currently being staged in a tent on the CAMH grounds on Queen West in Toronto, tries hard to invoke that setting, but is not really like that sort of revival meeting. In fact, it’s not a show about religion at all; at it’s heart it’s a one-man play about the protagonist’s struggle first to overcome his discomfort and uneasiness upon meeting a quadriplegic woman named Judith Snow, then his struggle to create and perform a play about her, then his struggle to deal with his own complex feelings towards her. But it’s not really a one-man play either, as there’s about 20 people on stage with playwright/actor Michael Rubenfeld throughout, and it’s staged as though Rubenfeld were a pastor preaching the gospel of Judith Snow. He’s backed by a large choir made up primarily of people with varying disabilities singing a musical score written by Andrew Penner of Panic Manual favourites (I love writing that) The Sunparlour Players. If you look closely, you can see Penner in the photo above, sitting in with the choir on this night; he’s the second person visible from the left in the back row.

So, have you got all that? It’s a bit complicated, but it does pay off in a fun, uplifting show.

The story, as Rubenfeld tells it, is that he met Judith Snow when his best friend asked him a very strange question: do you know anyone who would be willing to make love to a quadriplegic woman? He answered the way I think most people would: no, I don’t think so. I wouldn’t do it. Would you?

But Rubenfeld was intrigued enough by the question to meet Judith Snow. By all accounts, Snow is a very impressive person; she was the first person to successfully fight for individualized funding from the Government of Ontario to help her to live the way she wanted, in her own home. But to call her a support system trailblazer for people with disabilities in Ontario seems inadequate. For more than 30 years she’s helped develop programs across North America and in Europe that’ve helped thousands of people with disabilities get jobs, homes, training, and support to help them live their lives the way they want to, without hiding in assisted living homes or being ashamed of who they are. As the play goes on, Rubenfeld preaches more than narrates the plot in twelve parts, starting with the story of meeting Judith and the creation of his first play with her, where she appeared naked on stage to a mix of rave reviews and disgusted reactions. Along the way, his girlfriend and collaborator left him, he met director Sarah Stanley, things very nearly fell apart many times, and he finds himself feeling uplifted, aggravated, inspired, and betrayed by Judith. And while he tells his story, he sings, climbs up on chairs, tells audience members he loves them, and even strips naked at one point.

The course of the plot didn’t quite work for me; despite Rubenfeld’s frequent assertions that meeting Snow changed his life and made him a better, less self-centred person, well, I’m not sure I saw it. At times it veers close to being self-indulgent, but after all, it is a play written and performed by Rubenfeld where he preaches to an audience about how his life was changed by a woman he met and tells the story of how it happened, so maybe that it comes across as only a little self-indulgent is actually an accomplishment. In the hands of a lesser performer, Rubenfeld’s “preaching” might all end up seeming pretty silly. But while you can pick at some of the details of his abilities (for one, his singing voice sounds only good, not great, but that might be partly because of how great the choir sounds), overall he’s a terrific performer and, maybe because he’s also the playwright, he really loses himself in the material.

Rubenfeld’s passionate performance is the biggest reason The Book of Judith works so well, but it’s really the choir, led by Alex Bulmer, that makes it exceptional. Like James Brown’s choir in Blues Brothers, they shouted affirmations when the “preacher” moves them to and enthusiastically sang some great Andrew Penner-penned tunes. Honestly, when I first read the show’s press release, the choir made up of disabled people sounded like a gimmick, but the choir is well-directed by Bulmer and they put in a joyful, exuberant performance.

Unlike James Brown’s congregation in Blues Brothers, no one in the crowd was leaping from their seats to clap along. It’s the kind of show that would be best to see with a raucous, sold-out crowd that the performers can draw energy from, and the audience on a rainy Tuesday night tried wasn’t quite up to the task. If you go, bring some friends to help pack the house.

The Book of Judith runs nightly until Saturday, May 30th at 8 PM, with a Saturday matinee at 2:30 PM and it’s current run ends with an 11 AM performance on May 31st. Click here for box office info.

WEDNESDAY

2009-05-28T12:46:00.002-04:00

Hi!

Another amazing night last night, capped by a Standing Ovation!

We were amazed at how many people came out despite the awful weather. Hoping for the same thing tonight, despite our unco-operative skies.

Am very charged by the continued, constant overwhelming outpour of response to the work. It is so great that there are as many people who recognize the uniqueness of the work.

This truly is something I am very proud of, and it been amazing to have as many theatre artists come to the piece and say things like "I wish all theatre was like this". We do too. We are proud of this show because it is unabashedly full of heart with an equal amount of irony and smarts.

Its been quite amazing to see the response to the show. Its the most diverse reaction to a piece of theatre I've ever been involved with ... and to be quite honest, I am shocked at how positive the response has been. It has been an incredible affirmation that Toronto does, in fact, have an interest in this type of work.

There are 5 more performances, including ONE TONIGHT!! The phone has been ringing OFF THE HOOK, so we are expecting nice houses for the rest of the run. We hope you can catch this show before its gone! Its unlike most theatre in this town, and for that reason alone, I urge you to receive our play.

With love,
Michael

PERFORMANCE 8

2009-05-27T09:14:00.004-04:00

Last night we had a loud one! There were tons of sirens during the show, which ended up pretty darn exciting. Had to bump up the volume of my voice a number of times, which really gave a good kick to the show.

We had a pretty nice sized house also. Almost 3/4 full. Word is definitely getting out.

This morning, Judith and I were on CBC METRO MORNING. Matt Galloway interviewed us and gave the listeners a head's up to the blog. SO. If you heard us CBC this morning, and this is your first visit.

WELCOME!

And if you want to buy tickets to one of our remaining 6 performances, call 416.534.9261 to reserve. Or just show up at the tent before 8:00 Wed-Saturday. We also have 2 matinees on the weekend. 2:30 on Saturday and 11:00am on Sunday.

A very big thank-you to friends at the CBC for your amazing support. And thank-you again to everyone who has come to see the show and who continue to offer your words and stories. Its all very whelming, but really powerful and appreciated and you're all amazing.

A friend was kind enough to record the CBC interview! Very exciting. Listen below!

xoMichael

ARTICLE FROM THE TORONTO STAR (Today!)

2009-05-26T16:21:00.004-04:00

Life is a five-star performance

JEREMY MIMNAGH PHOTO

Alex Bulmer, 43, who lost her sight to retinitis pigmentosa, plays the choirmaster in Judith, about disability rights advocate Judith Snow, who is quadriplegic. It runs through May 31.

Having cultivated her talent abroad, Alex Bulmer plants her creative seed here

May 26, 2009

Diane Flacks
Special to the Star

"It's my birthday today," says Alex Bulmer slyly, her legs curled up underneath her on a sofa, catlike.

"As of today, I have been living with the idea of blindness longer than I've had sight. Finally ... finally, it's Day 1."

Bulmer, 43, was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a rare degenerative disease, when she was 21. "In my early 30s, it took hold like a vicious little bulldog. That's when I started to write Smudge."

In 2000, Smudge, a series of raw and very funny poems about Bulmer's descent into blindness, became a play. Directed by Alisa Palmer, it was nominated for numerous awards, including the Chalmers Canadian Play award.

That's how I met Bulmer. I played the character Freddie, which was based on her. The project was "so, so rare an experience," she says – helping her weather the sinking awareness of what she had lost.

After the success of Smudge, Bulmer began to work in radio as a freelance writer and producer. In 2003, a surreal job interview for a staff position at a local radio station convinced her she had to leave Canada; that there was a functional and attitudinal barrier for disabled people in this country.

"They were looking to diversify their employment pool – reaching out to the...what do you call it? Marginalized?" She laughs at the label. "Anyway, they didn't have disability on their marginal list. I applied anyway."

In the interview, Bulmer was told they wanted to offer her the job but they were concerned her talking computer would be too disruptive in the office. Bulmer told them she works with headphones. So they found another problem – installing special software for the blind on the office computers could be expensive.

"I thought, `How am I ever going to actually get my foot in the door here?'"

So she started looking to other countries. In the U.K., she discovered the Access to Work program.

"Essentially, if you are an employed disabled person, this program funds you to purchase equipment or person time. So, basically, I get a seeing-eye person. They work with me – and unlike a Seeing Eye dog, I don't have to take them out to poo! It's great!"

More pertinently, "No one could turn me down for work because I'm disabled."

Bulmer works part-time as literary manager at London's Graeae Theatre, the U.K.'s leading disabled-led theatre company.

"For my job, I get loads of new scripts that I have to read and I run workshops to develop new plays. My computer reads the script with me. But in a workshop, you have to be able to say, `flip to page 30,' `refer back to page 12,' `make a note,' `cut this line' and people act out a scene and there is a lot is non-verbal action. My seeing-eye person is trained in audio description."

Bulmer also teaches voice and inclusive theatre practice. For example, how to adapt a voice exercise for a student with cerebral palsy. Access to Work pays her travel costs to get to jobs all over the country.

She just finished co-writing a six-part comedy series commissioned by Britain's Channel 4, called Cast-Offs, starring six disabled actors.

"It's going to offend some people," Bulmer says, chortling, "and I can't wait! That's the other thing. Over there, as a disabled person, you don't have to be so worthy!"

Bulmer is fulfilled as a working artist in London. But she has wrestled with a "hideous void" since leaving Toronto.

"When I first arrived in London, I had enough sight to still detect where bus stops and things were. After about a year, I realized that was going. I then became what I call `conceptually blind.' Here, in Toronto, I could visualize Wieners Hardware on Bloor St., what the CN Tower looks like. There, I had no visual memories or references, which is what it must feel like to be born blind. I had no pictures of people's faces to imagine when I heard them talk."

Things like getting on a bus were dangerous.

"I became very frightened of leaving the house. But I knew if I could just get used to it, if I could live without the visual memory, I could completely come to terms with who I am now, in the present."

So, why has she come back to Toronto? "My God, talk about a strange universal answer to what I was looking for."

Bulmer's friend, theatre director Sarah Stanley, asked her to act in a project inspired by its author, disability rights advocate Judith Snow, who is quadriplegic.

"'That's it!'" I thought. `That's my reintroduction.'

"The show, The Book of Judith, is inclusive. It's a show with an integrated choir of disabled and nondisabled people. I play the choirmaster." It is comic, dark but sincere, and she couldn't say no.

Bulmer says projects like this one should pave the way for artistic inclusiveness. "Canada needs to shift from looking at disability in a medical model to looking at it in more of a social model." She cites the example of a blind person walking down a main street and continually bumping into a sandwich board.

"The medical model insists it's her problem because she's blind. The social model says it's the sandwich board that's the problem. Get rid of the sandwich board and there's no issue.

"In London, I'm still blind but am completely able to function. There are ways of removing barriers so a person who is disabled can be included in all aspects of society."

Bulmer feels she succeeded in London because the British get it.

"I think there is something ingrained in the fabric of that society that transcends the economic argument and they do feel strongly about looking after their own....I felt that when I got there.

"I could tell people were genuinely, not patronizingly, interested in ensuring that I and other people with disabilities were fulfilling our potential."

Bulmer leans back, shadows playing across her face.

"If I want to come back and live here, I have this stuff under my arm – look at what I've done; you know, here's my ammunition – under my big white stick."

The Book of Judith runs until Sunday, May 31. Tickets available at the Theatre Centre, 416-534-9261, theatrecentre.org. Diane Flacks is a writer/actor/author living in Toronto. dianeflacks.com.

Performance 7 and DAY OFF.

2009-05-26T15:36:00.002-04:00

Hi! Yesterday was a day off, so I decided to take a day off from the blog also, which was great. I missed it and the show, but to be honest, last week was one of the most whelming weeks of my life. I think I am in a bit of shock at the response to the show. The outpouring of love for the piece has been so so moving.

Playwright Mike McPhaden, after seeing Sunday's performance said: "It's ironic that theatre happening in a revival tent can restore my faith in theatre. But it does."

It was a wonderful afternoon to do the show, though I was sweating buckets by the end. The tent was 3/4 full, which was really great for everyone. We've had a couple choir members out for a couple shows, but hopefully they will be back today ... WE MISS YOU IRENA!

I am going to be on METRO MORNING on CBC RADIO Tomorrow morning at around 7:45. I will likely be on with Judith, and we are going to be talking a bit the history of the show, and likely a bit about our relationship. I'm pretty nervous about this, because I'm not sure what Judith would have to say ... but either way, I'm sure its going to be a compelling interview. TUNE IN!

I don't have any photos to post today, which is a shame. I will try and take some today. Also, we have a couple NEW choir members joining us today: Erin and Caleb. Very excited for this newness.

I continue to be blown away by the response to the show, and I feel very loved by you all.

Much love,

xoxoMichael

PERFORMANCE 5 and 6.

2009-05-24T01:49:00.004-04:00

Hi. Hi. Hi.
Wow. Wow. Wow.

What a BIG day. Doing the show twice was really something. I've done two show days before, but man, oh man, this show really takes something out of me. Yesterday felt like a week in one day. Seriously. Epic. Quite amazing and beautiful, but also very exhausting. But what a gift this show is.

Alright. A couple things to say.

Today was a big day. A really big day. It was a big day for some people in the audience, like Nicole, for example. I had not met Nicole before, but after the show, she came up on stage, and she told me that seeing the show has helped her understand something about what she has to do next in her life. Now, this is not the first time this has happened. I got this feedback last night also from Lisa. And there have been smatterings of this sort of thing in the air a lot. In T.A.N. (coffee shop across the street) somebody has written on the bathroom chalk board: "The Book of Judith playing across the street will change your life." So. What does this all mean? Too be perfectly honest, I'm not quite sure. But I am amazed. Thank-you to the many many people who have stayed and shared thoughts and feelings with me, and thank-you also to the many who have written. It all means a lot. Really.

I do want share a few quotes from some of the emails I've gotten from people who have seen the show. They will remain nameless, as the messages are quite personal.

"I think I feel revived. I'm stuttering only because it's not quite what I imagined being revived would feel like. It's not a perishing of all your fears. Or euphoria. It's more like being a little more awake. Awake past what you think is awake. Feeling the poppy seeds in your teeth. Seeing more. Or at the very least, seeing your fear of seeing. I felt very vulnerable tonight. And grateful. And pushed around. And looked after. I felt community. I felt that I should be braver."

"I was - in this order - thoroughly engaged, amused and entertained, mildly uncomfortable and, finally, very moved. I was too moved, in fact, to stick around, and I had myself a cathartic, tearful walk home. (I still can't say why I was so moved.)"

"It was very profound, touching. It went into the head, but through the heart. Your voice, gestures, dance and eye contact, and the choir's spirit and rhythm, made it very powerful, something you can't just WATCH. But something you need to let in."

"I haven't seen such brave, compelling, precise, passionate, inventive, committed and most of all inspiring story telling in a long long time."

Wonderful!

I want to also send some love out to Liana and Frank (from the choir) today. Yesterday was a big, hard day for both of them. You're both wonderful and doing amazing jobs and we're so happy to have you in our choir.

The whole choir is going to have a hang this afternoon after the matinee, and I'm pretty excited about that. Am excited also to have a day off. MY VOICE IS TIRED! Who ever thought that being in a musical would be so tough on your voice!

Much Love,
Michael

The Book of Judith on THE NATIONAL

2009-05-23T11:58:00.003-04:00

SHOW THIS AFTERNOON at 2:30 and tonight at 8:00 pm!

SHOW FOUR and THE NATIONAL!

2009-05-23T09:41:00.007-04:00

Ok. First things first!

WE WERE ON THE NATIONAL LAST NIGHT!!!!!!!!

It was actually a pretty great spot!

Here's the link! http://www.cbc.ca/national/blog/video/arts/the_book_of_judith.html

The show was great. We had a larger house than the last coupe nights, which really helped fuse the show. My DAD being in the choir was also pretty amazing. It was really nice having him up there with everyone.

Here's a photo of the two of us during warm up.

All in all, a pretty special night. I will try and nab some photo from my step-mother's camera and post them online.

ZENO also went wild again and ran up to me during the show! AMAZING! I LOVE THAT DOG!

And lastly, here is a photo of our ugly railings that the city put up.

I was very happy with last night's show.

Matinee today. Hope people show up!

xoMichael

!!!THIS JUST IN!!!

2009-05-22T15:24:00.003-04:00

Just got word that MY DAD is going to sing in the choir tonight.

Yes. MY DAD.

He's in town from Winnipeg. He saw the show on Wednesday. He loved it so much that he asked me if he could sing in the choir.

Who am I to exclude MY DAD?

And so ... he's in!

Keep Dreaming.

xoMichael.

Performance Three: AKA: The Bummer Blog

2009-05-22T11:10:00.005-04:00

Hi!

Third performance. It was quite something. We showed up, and our set had been invaded by two large, ugly railings for our very modest ramp. An inspector from the city came by and decided that, in order to make our set "safe", they would have to put railings on the ramp. Insane. So now, the sightlines for the show have been compromised.

The response continues to be amazing. Tonight, also, there is going to be a piece on the show on THE NATIONAL on CBC. This is very exciting, and hopefully will help pick up audiences. Unfortunately, neither the Globe and Mail, nor The Toronto Star, have come to review the show, which has been a surprise and disapointment.

It is truly amazing to us to see that a show that is looking a questions of inclusion, is being entirely excluded by two major newspapers. The irony is actually pretty heart-breaking.

I guess this is a bit of a bummer blog.

***

On a lighter note, Ross Manson (Volcano Theatre) called the piece "Virtuosic" and Liana's (Choir Member) Dog got so excited last night on stage, that he ran right up to me during the show! It was amazing. We love ZENO!

A part of me is excited about how I can use the railings tonight. I did have fun smacking them around during the show.

Also, an audience member who was at the show last night blogged about it last night. This is what he said:

"This is a provocative and creative production that invites, or perhaps I should say forces, the audience to reflect on the role of disabled people in the world, and to overcome the tendency to de-subjectify people who have disabilities. No doubt my description makes it sound preachy -- texts, sermons, revival tent, overcoming and reflecting -- but I didn'r really feel preached at. The Book of Judith is an intelligent and challenging encounter with the very notion of disability."

Thanks Paul!

And here's a reminder of the AMAZING quote from Byron Laviolette from EYE Magazine.

"All shows need an audience to activate them, the The Book of Judith more so than most. It is a socially minded, soul-mending public spectacle of the stand-up-and-shout variety and, at the risk of sounding more of a cheerleader than critic, I encourage you to see this and to lend to its charming crusade your own energy. You never know: miracles happen every day."

Adios Amigos.

xomichael

FOUR STARS IN THE EYE WEEKLY REVIEW!!!

2009-05-21T15:31:00.002-04:00

FOUR STARS FROM EYE WEEKLY AND THIS AMAZING REVIEW!

Labeled as a “healing crusade,” Michael Rubenfeld’s The Book of Judith is one-fourth public service announcement, one-fourth choir-fueled, faux-Christian church service, and one-fourth personal exorcism — of Rubenfeld’s own inner difficulty in facing another individual’s disabilities head on. That leaves one fourth remaining, but we’ll get to that later.

Co-produced by director Sarah Stanley’s Die in Debt Theatre, Rubenfeld’s own Absit Omen Theatre and The Theatre Centre (almost next door neighbor to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health on whose grounds the tent for this piece is pitched), the work centers on Rubenfeld’s experiences with Judith Snow, an advocate for the respect of those who live with disabilities and for their right to decide their own fates.

The missal that accompanies the show is full of Snow’s own wonderings about her life as a quadriplegic. Read from frequently, as if it’s scripture, her words of wisdom speak to those who would judge anyone based on their physical abilities alone. Set alongside the lyrics to the dozen or so songs composed for the play by Sunparlour Players’ frontman Andrew Penner (infused with his distinctive, half-moaning, half-mournful sound), this literal book of Judith is, then, the map to Rubenfeld’s redemption.

The tent-cum-temple suits the piece well, offering an intimate but well-illuminated environment. Matched with the sweet smells from the CAMH’s front gardens and the smoky scents wafting off the various candles lit around the space, the event feels immediate, which helps to make it inspiring.

What works most about The Book of Judith is the personal energy Rubenfeld gives it. It is really his story, and he is the one who is to be healed by it. As a whole, however, the performance is still strongly focused outwards, and while there are few moments of unearned intensity, the work never loses sight of its one very clear goal — to commune with its congregation.

The plot — if there is one — is perhaps too unbelievably unbelievable to hold much water, but the passion of Rubenfeld and the choir (itself comprised of 12 individuals of mixed physical abilities) drive the evening forward regardless. What seems to be absent, however, is the ever-building intensity required to usher in the reconciliation at the piece’s close.

And that’s where the missing one-fourth comes in. All shows need an audience to activate them, the The Book of Judith more so than most. It is a socially minded, soul-mending public spectacle of the stand-up-and-shout variety and, at the risk of sounding more of a cheerleader than critic, I encourage you to see this and to lend to its charming crusade your own energy. You never know: miracles happen every day.

BYRON LAVOILETTE, EYE WEEKLY

Performance TWO, Are You Brave Enough?

2009-05-21T04:00:00.004-04:00

Hi!

Tonight's show was quite wonderful. I started off feeling a bit shaky at the start, but the spirit of Judith pulled me through. We had our second straight standing ovation, and once the show ended, people literally came right up on to the stage to speak to us, and the juice and cookies were really great to have. People stuck around for a long time tonight!

OH YAH. WE HAVE JUICE AND COOKIES AFTER EACH SHOW!

There was a lot of love in the tent, a lot of smiles, and some more tears ... and yes, a few more hoots and hollers.

Tonight's performance was pretty different, mostly because we went from a 100 seat audience to 30, which was pretty fascinating. Still a great, great experience, but it felt quite different. Still, it was amazing to look out and see people swaying and smiling and laughing and just making some noise.

We had two, count em, TWO tent crashers tonight. Two of the lovely residents from CAMH decided to join the show. One came in, sat down, stayed for a while, got up, did a bow and said a prayer to herself before calmly leaving the tent. The second stood in the aisle for a while, watching the show, and then, he also left respectfully. We're hoping to get a LOT more crashers over the course of the run.

WE WANT EVERYONE TO COME AND BE HEALED!!!

The response has been pretty amazing to the show. People are responding and reacting. We had one person walk out today and I'm pretty sure we've upset at least one or two people out there ... or, at least, we hope so! Healing is NOT an easy thing.

And so the question I wonder is: Are You Brave Enough To Be Healed By Judith Snow?

xoMichael

WE. ARE. OPEN!

2009-05-20T12:28:00.007-04:00

Wow. That's all I can say. Wow. What an opening night. I am so very very very proud of everything and everyone, the audience included. What an unbelievable night. I have never before experienced such remarkable energy in a ... TENT.

Last night was awesome. Just awesome. We got an incredible standing ovation, and three curtain calls, and people whooped and hollered DURING THE SHOW!

There were a lot of tears and amazement in the audience--from MYSELF included. An incredible affirmation of the power of ... well ... bravery, risk and love. Seriously. Every single person in that audience and on stage was amazing and brave and beautiful.

And as an added bonus, there were cameras from the CBC there doing a piece on the show for THE NATIONAL! It is supposed to air on Friday. VERY COOL. And there have been smatterings of press here and there, including this piece on the National Post Blog that went up today: http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/theampersand/archive/2009/05/20/andrew-penner-talks-about-the-book-of-judith.aspx

I feel like there is so much more to say, but Anne Hardcastle, from Queen's University, said it perfectly. "I have no words for what I just experienced". And I feel a bit the same. All I can say is come. come. come. Come early, because I think we may sell out in the second week, but we need audiences for this week.

I'd love to post little clips from the show, but of course, I wasn't able to film myself. But I did make this video during our opening-day rehearsal with the choir.

Pretty beautiful little thing I think.

To book tickets, call the Theatre Centre BOX OFFICE: 416. 534.9261.

OR JUST SHOW UP.

Show starts at 8:00 every night this week, with 2:30 matinees this weekend. (Sat. and Sun.)

Love to all who were there on opening, and all who plan to come, and all who can use a bit more love in their lives.

The Book of Judith has been unleashed!

xoMichael.

OPENING NIGHT (and invited dress)

2009-05-19T11:57:00.003-04:00

HI HI HI HI HI HI HI HI HI!

Last night was our invited dress. It was cold in that tent but HOT on the stage! It was a very good first audience. The was a lot of very intense listening, excitement and love kicking around.

And, as you all know. TONIGHT IS OPENING NIGHT.

What an incredible journey. Tonight is the beginning of the next chapter. Thank-you to everyone involved, especially Sarah, Andrew, Alex, Nick, Franco, Andrea, Tanya, Beth, Cam, Cathy ... and last, but not least ...

JUDITH SNOW

Without Judith, none of this would be possible.

You are my guide.

You are my wisdom.

You are my strength.

Thank-you Judith.

And now, a message from ME!

With love, gratitude, and excitement!

xoMichael

2009-05-18T00:24:00.007-04:00

Hi! Sorry for missing a day!

We ran the show on Saturday night!!!! What a night! WE HAVE A SHOW EVERYBODY!
Now, as long as I remember all my lines, I think we're all going to be great. It was actually pretty amazing to run the show on such a cold night. I could see my breath! But amazing, I was never cold because the show was really cookin'.

We are all VERY excited to be sharing this play. The tent is REALLY starting to buzz--so much so that some pretty exciting press has caught word of the show. Not going to mention it yet, but its preeettttyyyy awesome.

Here's an interview (with tons of wind!) that I did with Andrew today. He's not just a genius, he's also pretty sweet too.

And here are a couple photos of Sarah and Lesley horsing around.

What's that you ask? What are these fine ladies wearing?

Why... ROBES OF COURSE

THE CHOIR HAS THEIR ROBES. (because one can't have a choir without robes)

At first, I was a bit perturbed when I saw them, as I you can see in the following video.

Nahhhhh. Just kidding. I love them and I love the choir. They are the best choir ever. Not that i know a TON of choirs, but if I did, they would still be my favourite.

And I leave you with two more images from the past couple of days.

Here is NICK (music director) looking very serious and determined (which he has been).

Nick has truly been a gift from the Gods.

I am amazed at how much he has been able to make the music live over the past week. There is no way we'd be getting such beautiful sounds without Nick. We're going to really miss him when he's gone. Yesterday, after the run, he came up and said that he felt very proud to be a part of this show. And we are proud to have him also.

Thank-you Nick, for everything

This is my favourite picture of the day, mostly because of the Steve (in the middle of Sarah and Andrew). I can't tell what the heck is going on in his head in this photo, but I love the look on his face. I also really love Steve, who has also been really wonderful. He is a fantastic bass, and, in general, just a really warm, friendly, positive energy in the choir.

I also do love how "directorly" Sarah and Andrew both look. THIS IS SERIOUS BUSINESS FOLKS!

Until tomorrow, my lovelies.

xomichael

FRIDAY, I'm in LOVE

2009-05-16T00:01:00.007-04:00

We've been getting a TON OF TRAFFIC coming by the tent. Its amazing how comfortable the residents at CAMH feel just waltzing into the TENT. I've noticed that its one of the only places in Toronto where people will actually say hello to you, look you in the eye, and try to carry on a conversation.

Here is one of the various friends we made. Notice her fancy coat!

Today was a really long day, but another great day. We managed to work through half of the show with the choir, and today was really the first time we got a sense as to what the show is really going to feel like. WOW. I sometimes feel like I actually have to pinch myself a bit.

I'm going to take a moment now to introduce you to a few members of the choir.

KAZUMI (AKA: Zoomster)

Kazumi may possibly be the most joyous person I've ever met. His ability to love things (like our new fancy ramp) helps me love things that I didn't even realize I could love (like a ramp!). Kazumi is a tenor.

Frank and Mark

Frank is our resident trouble maker with a mean tenor voice. He is also, possibly, the heart of the choir, as he may be the most outwardly emotional person I've ever met! (and I say that with love). He also likes to show up an hour early for choir rehearsal so that he can nail the harmonies. Amazing devotion. (he also told me that he thinks that I'm cute, which I always a bonus from my perspective!)

Mark is, I would say, the coolest member of the choir. I don't know why I think that, but he just always seems to have everything under control because he's just THAT cool. When I first met Mark, I knew that I really wanted him in the choir. He is an amazingly sturdy energy that is a great glue for the tenors, and is as positive as he is cool. (I mean that with love too, Mark)

More to come! More to come!

I leave you with a couple of videos from some of our PERFECT production team.

This is Andrea (Lighting Designer/Production) and Cam (Tech God)!

BETH and TANYA

ALSO! If you're planning on seeing the show, we could really use some audience early in the run. So if its all the same to you, we'd love you to come the first week.

Book your tickets at: 416.534.9261

xomichael

Still Climbing!

2009-05-15T02:18:00.004-04:00

Thursday today. The play OPENS in 5 DAYS! Holy CRAP.

Seriously though, as you can see by the photo above, we are all having so much fun. This show is amazing!

We've also had a lot of great response from Alex's "Hierarchy of Disability" Video, including this from a friend of her's back in the U.K.

"Finally I have been classified. I'm a Walkie Talkie Limpy Semi Blinky with a Coronary Twist. Suddenly it all makes sense."

The Choir is REALLY starting to sound amazing, AND ALSO, our BANNER is up. And it looks fantastic.

CHECK IT OUT:

And I leave you with this last greeting from our BEAUTIFUL CHOIR (and me a bit)!

xoMICHAEL!

TUESDAY!

2009-05-13T11:11:00.005-04:00

Today (yesterday now) was another fantastic day. We have decided that I am going to be mic'd for the entire show, which was a great decision, because THAT TENT CAN GET LOUD!!

Andrea Lundy (Production Manager/TENT GODDESS) had the lights working, and its really starting to feel magical in there.

Once the choir got in last night and the music started and the lights turned on, the grin on my face was having a hard time leaving. It felt amazing in that room last night.

The night ended with me doing a reading for the entire Choir. It was the largest amount of people that I've done the show for so far. Wow. Again, I am speechless. It was a really beautiful night. Frank and Kazumi both talked about how emotional it made them, and Liana (aka: Guitar Babe) said that she thought it was a very opportune time for this play to be happening, and that she's going to be inviting some people that she think can really learn a thing or two from the play (Thanks Liana!)

This is Liana and her dog, who just happens to be the BEST DOG IN THE WORLD.

Here is a picture of BETH KATES, or brilliant costume desiginer. Beth is making sure that we all look AMAZING, right BETH? (WINK WINK WINK)

Hey Beth! WHATCHA DOING ON THAT IPHONE?

And here is a picture of THE AMAZING CAM.

Cam is our TECH GOD who will be with us for the run of the show. This is our view of CAM from the stage in the tent. HEY CAM!? OVER HERE CAM! THE SHOW IS OVER HERE CAM!

OH well.

I'll post a better picture of CAM. Maybe even a video.

The video situation today is a bit so so, but I did manage to get a bit of Alex meeting Irena on the stage for the first time, which was a nice moment. The batteries in my camera did though before being able to get some of the great sounds comin' outta the choir.

xo till later.

michael.

YES. YES. YES.

2009-05-12T00:17:00.005-04:00

We are in the tent now. My God. Words can't quie describe the excitement. To think that this was all just a dream at one point, and now, we have a tent, with a stage and a choir! Speaking of the choir, they were in the tent tonight for our first official rehearsal.

Everyone seemed so excited and pleased to be there tonight, even though it was so freezing. What a gift. The choir is beautiful.

Here is a little clip at the choir's first pass at "Let Go". If you listen closely, you can hear me singing along. (I sang BASS tonight with GEOFF)

And just for kicks, here's a great photo of Sarah and Andrew!

Sarah - Uh, Andrew, how do you write such great music?

Andrew - Uh, I don't know.

Sarah - Cool. Nice Tambourine.

Andrew - Thanks.

abidee abidee abidee, that's all folks.

MORE VIDEOS TOMORROW

AND TOMORROW WE ARE BACK IN THE TENT STARTING AT 2:00.

xoxoxo michael

TENT!!!!!!!!!

2009-05-11T00:54:00.006-04:00

THE TENT! THE TENT! THE TENT! THE TENT! THE TENT! THE TENT! THE TENT!

The tent was pitched today at approximately 2:00 pm at CAMH! After a mother's day dinner, and a brief stop over to witness the Tamil protest (humbling and overwhelming) I zipped up to Queen and Ossington to bear witness to OUR TENT. IT'S THERE!!!

I met Shema (sp?) who was the SECURITY GUARD and he let me go inside.

HOLY CRAP. HOLY CRAP. HOLY CRAP.

I got inside and I just walked around and giggled with glee.

I couldn't believe it. It's a tent. ITS A TENT. WE ARE DOING OUR SHOW IN A TENT!

I'm not sure why, but it hadn't occured to me that being in a tent is NOTHING LIKE BEING IN A THEATRE. It was so incredible to get to go in there before the stage and lighting rigs went up. Amazing to feel the power of a tent.

Tomorrow, myself and the entire choir will be in the tent in the evening, and starting Tuesday morning, we will be rehearsing there all day every day all the time yes. yes. yes.

THE BOOK OF JUDITH IS COMING, AND THERE'S NOTHING THAT WILL GET IN ITS WAY! (knock on wood!)

Alex Bulmer on THE HIERARCHY OF DISABILITY

2009-05-10T16:30:00.003-04:00

Alex takes a break from rehearsal to teach us.

Genius

The Whelming Begins!

2009-05-09T19:56:00.004-04:00

We are KNEE deep in rehearsals, almost at the end of WEEK ONE. Its been pretty remarkable so far. Alex Bulmer has arrived from England and Nick Carpenter is here from Montreal working with Andrew on music. Tanya Greve, our Stage Manager and Beth Kates, our Costume Designer, have also been in rehearsal, and things are really starting to move.

THIS IS REALLY HAPPENING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am filled with so much emotion right now. I can't quite believe we are actually putting this up on its feet. We did a work through of the entire show with all the music with Andrew and Alex and Nick and the only word I can use to describe the experience is: AMAZING.

There is no doubt in any of our minds that this is going to be quite spectacular. Now all we must do is MAKE THIS PLAY.

Here is a pretty wonderful little video of us all singing "DEAR SIN" from the show. We are still learning, but still, pretty NICE.

Enjoy.

MORE VIDEOS TOMORROW.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Did someone say VIDEO CLIP PLEASE?!?!?!

2009-05-07T14:36:00.006-04:00

Yesterday I promised you a bit of video.

Today I have come through.

Please enjoy this very rough (but great!) video of a tiny section of the play. The singing will all be backed up by my 16 person choir and sound amazing.

But here's a taste .............. !

In the clip, I am talking about our original production of Suck and Blow that we performed at the Rhubarb! Festival and the kind of response we got from the play.

ENJOY!

REHEARSAL HAS BEGUN

2009-05-06T13:03:00.005-04:00

!HI ALL!

We started rehearsals on Monday. Putting finishing touches on the script and yesterday Andrew brought in the final song and holy crap oh my god yes please thank-you very much!

If you are walking down the street at Queen and Ossington near CAMH starting SUNDAY, you may notice a little thing called:

A TENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(note: this is not our tent. but this IS a tent!)

Yes. Our tent is being PITCHED this SUNDAY right on QUEEN STREET. The mere thought of it takes my breath away.

I am going to take same video tonight in rehearsal and post it for you all.

And keep a look out for coverage of the play in NOW, EYE, and the GLOBE and more.

In the meantime, I will simply include this very handsome photograph of our very handsome (AND TALENTED) composer: ANDREW PENNER, whose album, WAVE NORTH (SUNPARLOUR PLAYERS) comes out on the same day that Book of Judith OPENS!!! MAY 19th. I've heard this album, oh, let's say, about 20 times already, and it just may be the ALBUM OF THE YEAR. What a blessing it has been to have Andrew work on this with us. And you will also get to see him perform for some of the shows!!!!!!!!!!!

VUNDERBAR

2009-04-26T03:12:00.000-04:00

An Artist Contemplates.

I had to share two piece of amazing-ness. The first is that we have a new member on a team named NICK CARPENTER. Nick is coming in town from MONTREAL to be our musical director. WOOP WOOP WOOPEE!!!!!! Nick is someone I worked with way back when I was in theatre school, and he also does work with Sarah and he is just generally, um, A GENIUS. So, one more genius added the our list.

Here is a PIC of Andrew and Nick at their first ever meeting in the world. They are going to be working together to help translate the BRILLIANT music for the BRILLIANT CHOIR.

Also. Here is an email I got from one of our choir members, Irena Kagansky. She has a copy of the play that I gave her to listen to. This was her unbelievable response:

Michael:

I could not help writing to you.

To come at the 'songs' for The Book of Judith from a level of
inexperience is eye-openning. This play tells the story
of what so many of us have felt, seen and heard;
and now others can hear it come to life!

I really have no words Michael...because this is beyond words...I want
to sing it, say it...right along with you...;0)
How different in context is the upcoming version of The Book of Judith going to be?

I am listening to the play now, and I can't help crying!
This project is so amazing, that, I am that much more honored to be a part of it!!
I am excited and moved to the core. Furthermore, as a writer, artist and theatre lover
I understand the tremendous value of the words, art and thought of this play.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

****

PRETTY AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (this is Michael again)

And, I leave you off, just for fun, of my new favourite picture of me and Sarah.

THE POSTER.

2009-04-22T17:25:00.000-04:00

Ladies and Gentleman, behold the official poster for THE BOOK OF JUDITH

The Perfect Play

2009-04-19T00:24:00.000-04:00

TWO WORDS: CHOIR REHEARSAL!!!!!!!

That's right. Today was our second choir rehearsal, and, as promised, here are some PHOTOS. WHAT? DID YOU THINK I WAS JOKING PEOPLE? WE HAVE A CHOIR!!!!!!

Here is ANDREW working with the Crusaders!

Sarah in the background, looking pensive and smart like always. Kimwun and Gwen focussing hard on the amazing music!

Erin (Andrew's wife. sorry ladies) in the back, with Wanda and Irena looking on.

Jeff and Kazume having a bit too much fun. COME ON GUYS, STAY FOCUSSED! (ha ha)

From Left to Right: Frank, Caleb, Jeff, Kazume, Erin, Wanda, Irena, Gwen's arms and legs, Kimwun' forearms. There were ten of us in total.

I took this "video" today of me singing during choir rehearsal. The video didn't work out, but the song did. Press play to hear a short clip of me singing THE PERFECT PLAY written by the perfect composer, Andrew Penner.

And, if you want to now WATCH me singing this, click below!

Overall, today was a very special day. Everyone is very excited. The night was capped off with Sarah and I going to SONIC BOOM to hear Andrew and his band, The Sunparlour Players, blow the socks off a room full of hipsters (and me and Sarah. but we are hip too, okay?!!!)

Poster coming SOON. Rehearsals starting SOON. Everything starting SOON. OH MY.

xomichael

Theatre Centre and CHOIR Rehearsal

2009-04-18T03:53:00.000-04:00

This is me entering the Theatre Centre Party (thanks Becky Johnson for this fun pic!)

Some of you may have seen me at the Theatre Centre Party doing a small little bit from the play. It was only a short little piece, and although I was SUPER nervous, I think it ended up going fairly well, and people felt excited to hear more. I sang a short excerpt from one of the wonderful songs by Andrew.

WHAT A FANTASTIC PARTY.

It is a real honour to be the next big show for The Theatre Centre.

ALSO,

WE HAVE BEGUN SOME CHOIR REHEARSALS!

I wanted to take some video, and maybe I will, but I don't want to freak anybody out! I will DEFINITELY try to take some photos though so I can post them on here. I couldn't stay for the entire last rehearsal but from what I heard it was AMAZING! We had about 9 people there who are going to be singing in the choir, and MORE ARE COMING! Its been such a fantastic response. People are SUPER EXCITED to be in the choir, and everyone loves the music.

OH! THE POSTER IS COMING SOOOOOOOON.

And one last thing. I thought this was hilarious. A few years ago I was in a Bruce Willis movie called LUCKY NUMBER SLEVIN and I found this picture online when I was googling myself. Hilarious, don't you think?

SEE YOU SOON

XOXOXO MICHAEL

IT CONTINUES!!!!

2009-04-03T06:00:00.000-04:00

Well la dee da da da!

Today was a very exciting day. After a brief hiatus that took Andrew Penner to the recording studio to record the new Sunparlour Players Album, Sarah Stanley to Montreal to direct The AGE OF AROUSAL (great title) by Linda Griffiths, and me to focus on the SummerWorks Festival scripts and line-up, we have RE-CONVENED.

Today we sat in my living-room and we watch the recording of the reading that we did way-a-back-a-when, and it is still every bit as wonderful as we remembered it. The music is unbelievable, the play is fantastic, and for just a reading, I think I am doing a pretty bang-up job!

All plans are in place. We have a tent on hold that is going to be pitched on the FRONT LAWN AT CAMH (right next to the WORKMAN THEATRE). You'll see it going up on Sunday, May 10th. Can you believe it? I can't.

And once its up, we'll be in there, preparing the play.

More great updates to come. Sarah and I are meeting next week to do a bit more workshop and start putting this sucker up on its feet. Andrew is going back to work on filling out some of the music--and soon we start assembling the choir.

MAGIC MAGIC MAGIC.

Abilities!

2009-02-07T03:06:00.000-05:00

Shalom!

Just wanted to share that we had an INCREDIBLE meeting with Abilities Canada (abilities.ca) about the show and they have agreed to post the blog on their website. They absolutely adored the idea for the show, and want to do whatever they can to bring my play and its message to as many people as possible. Judith Snow (yah!) will also have a blogged housed on the abilities website (and an article in their upcoming magazine! wowowowowow) so she can keep people filled in her on World Tour for Peace for Inclusion. Amazing! Check out Judith current blog: http://www.peaceforinclusion.blogspot.com/

The funniest part of the meeting with Abilities was when Eric Warner (our marketing and publicity guru) told me that I shouldn't chew gum in meetings. Hilarious. I was chewing my favourite gum (Cobalt blue) all throughout the meeting. Thanks Eric!!

We've almost got a LOCK on our tent, and the choir is coming together too. My excitement continues to build for my play. In the next few days I'm going to post an amazing little trailer video with some clips of Judith and me from the years past that I had been working with her. For those who don't know, I worked with Judith for about 4 years creating an incredible piece of theatre with her.

Here as an important video that I'd like to share with you. I made this video myself about a year or so ago to help with our grant proposals (all successful). Some of you may have already seen it, but if you haven't, here it is! And for those who may not also know, this was created back when we were called The Suck and Blow Collective (the good old days).

xox Michael

WORKSHOP COMPLETE!

2009-01-28T05:04:00.000-05:00

Hi! We have just finished up a super-intense workshop for The Book of Judith. THREE WEEKS!!

PLEASE ENJOY THIS GREAT VIDEO THAT I MADE!

Don't forget about the choir! Being assembled as I write this. WOWOWOW.

This has truly been a blessed time for all involved, and I am thrilled and beyond excitement to share this play with all of you.

May 19 - 30. GET YOUR TICKETS! (I'm not sure how, but start bugging people at the theatre centre 416-534-9261)

The Beginning (MAKING A PLAY!)

2009-01-22T02:25:00.000-05:00

Hello friends,

My name is Michael Rubenfeld.

Welcome to my blog.

This blog has been created primarily to fill you in on the upcoming production of my play, The Book of Judith, written by me, Michael Rubenfeld (w/Sarah Stanley) being performed in a TENT (!) on the ground of CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health), May 19th-30th, 2008. The piece is a musical (all music composed by Andrew Penner of the Sunparlour Players!)

<------- THIS IS ANDREW (intense!)

The play is about a quadriplegic woman named Judith Snow and my experience creating theatre with her.

I met Judith about four years ago. After a very important first meeting, it was determined that together, we needed to create a piece of theatre. My play chronicles this remarkable journey, with music and celebration.

<--- JUDITH SNOW!!!!

All songs are sung by either myself or the 16 piece choir I have assembled.

The show is directed by the renowned, Sarah Stanely. For those of you who don't know her, GOOGLE HER. You won't be sorry.

<--- Sarah (awesome!)

Also joining us from ENGLAND is Alex Bulmer. For those of you who don't know, Alex once lived in Toronto, but moved to England, where she is currently working in theatre and television. She will be leading the choir, made up of members from the disability community and other guests. In fact, Alex, herself, is also blind.

<---- Alex! (cool!)

Please enjoy this first video, featuring me inviting you to my play.

And Also, here is a cool video of Andrew Penner working on one of the amazing songs for my play. Also in the video are Alex Bulmer, Sarah Stanley and Myself. Its a bit choppy because I filmed it on my computer.

Stay tuned for some other videos COMING SOON.

Also, please check out Judith Snow's Blog: http://www.peaceforinclusion.blogspot.com/