Rating: NNNNN
kitchen klubkitchen klub
For the week-long shiva, the traditional Jewish mourning ritual for the dead, women spend their time in the household kitchen, rather like servants taking care of the male mourners. That’s the case in Shiksas Sit Shiva, Catherine Hayos and Melinda Little’s new play workshopped last week. But the fascinating family dynamics of the women we meet — the deceased’s second partner (Barbara Gordon), his daughter (Hayos, playing the only Jewish-born character) and three daughters-in-law (Robin Craig, Carol Lempert and Little) — create the emotional centre of this turbulent, often funny play. The authors have further development to do. We’d like, for instance, to see more of the dead man’s relationship with each woman. But the reading, directed by Alisa Palmer, hit all the comedy and much of the tension in this passionate tale.
jonkap@nowtoronto.com
glenns@nowtoronto.com
