Gallery Players Season Extra!

Conflict, conspiracy and controversy all are elements of the Gallery Players/CATCO collaboration on The Rubenstein Kiss, a drama that will have its American premier Feb. 1-19, here in Columbus on the stage of the Riffe Center, 77 S. High St. This will be the first collaboration between Gallery Players at CATCO.

The Rubenstein Kiss is inspired by the true story of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg, one of the most controversial capital punishment trials of the 20th century. This case, in which the Jewish couple was charged, convicted, and executed for allegedly passing atomic secrets to the Soviet Union, highlighted the Cold War tensions of the period - spying, McCarthyism, anti-communist sentiment, as well as the personal drama of love, family, and betrayal.

British playwright James Phillips was haunted by the iconic photograph of the Rosenbergs in a passionate kiss following their indictment. His obsession with the photo led to this, his debut play. The play has received both the Jon Whiting Award and the TMA award for Best Play.

Join Us For These Exciting Events!

Gallery Players will host a free program about The Rubenstein Kiss on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012 at 7 p.m. in the JCC's Roth-Resler Theater, 1125 College Avenue. This conversation will serve as an artistic and historical introduction to the play and to the period in which the events occurred. There also will be readings by the CATCO actors followed by a panel discussion from both a historical and artistic perspective.

During the readings, the audience will be able to view both set designs and costumes being developed for the play - glimpse into the theater's creative process from page to stage. Panelists will include:

• Christopher Purdy, WOSU arts and culture commentator and dramaturge
• David Stebenne, Associate Professor of History and Law at OSU Moritz College of Law
• Steven Anderson, CATCO/Phoenix Artistic Director

Gallery Players will give a special presentation of The Rubenstein Kiss, followed by an informal conversation with playwright James Phillips, on Sunday, Feb. 5, at 2 p.m., in Studio Two at the Vern Riffe Center, 77 S. High St.

Tickets for The Rubenstein Kiss currently are on sale at the CAPA ticket office. Community members can purchase them for a special discount price of $30 by calling CAPA at (614) 469-0939 or by visiting the box office at 39 E. State St. and using the special code: JCC.

For more information contact JCC Cultural Arts Director Jared Saltman at (614) 559-6248 or jsaltman@columbusjcc.org.