Color War at Trybal Gatherings 2022 - Berkshires Session 2

Dear Family and Friends,

It feels so good to write to you all. Please forgive the unanticipated hiatus, but August proved to be a wilder month than I expected! I promise you’ll reap the benefits of it in this newsletter. For the final month of summer (though not summer weather), I spent 12 days in California and then two separate weekends at adult Jewish sleepaway camp, courtesy of Trybal Gatherings. 

Earlier this year, I told a friend that I wanted to invest in play. I felt like I hadn’t played enough in my life — not even as a kid. I was the oldest child and the oldest of the neighborhood kids and my idea of fun was gathering all the little ones to play camp — and I was the counselor. Or we’d play school and I was the teacher. Even when I “played Barbies,” I set up the tiny little cereal boxes and title little orange juice bottles on the shelf of Barbie’s grocery store and once it was all organized, I walked away. Don't get me wrong — this made me happy, but it wasn't exactly "play." Now you might be thinking, “Ruthie! You’re a theatre kid. You must have played theatre games.” I hated theatre games. I never wanted to look silly or embarrass myself by being bad at them. Not to mention I saw them as a delay — we had lines to learn and music to sing, people! But now, I long to play. I want to run around and climb and jump. I want to relay race and make arts and crafts and dance like everyone’s watching. I want to make up silly songs and act a fool. I want to feel that wild abandon. With California and camp, I gave myself the opportunity to do just that. 

I started my California tour in San Francisco, where all I wanted to do was relax and release — prep for play, if you will. So I went to a Japanese bathhouse. If you have never been to a bathhouse, you MUST go. I rotated through the circuit of the hot pool, steam room, cold plunge, and sauna twice. When I walked out, I felt as smooth as a meadow stream. I felt like nothing had ever touched my skin, and everything in the world seemed beautiful and bright and amazing. I felt like I had just come out of the womb. That level of stripping down and relaxation readied me for adventure, which I found in Big Sur, where I hiked for three days. I pushed my muscles to climb. I crawled in and out of redwoods. I twirled on the beach by the ocean. (I physically spun around in a circle on the sand.) I did all of this because it felt good to do it. It felt whimsical and free. Later that week, in San Diego, I paraglided for the first time! Paragliding is like riding a wind rollercoaster. I swung my arms and oscillated them on the wind and didn’t care if my flyer thought I was weird. I wanted to feel like a kid — a toddler who doesn’t know enough to do anything but what feels fun. I pushed that feeling to the limit when I went to camp.

I traveled to Camp Eisner in the Berkshires for the legit camp experience. Trybal Gatherings was founded by a woman named Carine Warsawski. Carine grew up going to Jewish sleepaway camp every summer. As an adult, she missed the magic of camp. (I didn’t know of this magic personally, but I’ve heard from my friends who went to camp. It’s just different there.) She envisioned camp for adults. This is why Carine and I are kindred spirits: She had a vision and made it happen. She asked, Why do you have to be a kid to go to camp? Six years later, this first camp she started in the Berkshires does two sessions and Trybal expanded to host camps in Wisconsin, California and soon-to-be Atlanta. From daybreaker yoga to slip-n-slide Chutes & Ladders, communal meals to nightly campfires, from the climbing/repelling adventure to stargazing, from (dominating) color war to the old-school dance, from painting tribal markings on our bodies to celebrating Shabbat, I felt my spirit reignite inside me. I have never felt more myself than when I was at camp. (Which is why I spontaneously decided to return for second Berkshires session and do it all over again. After all, I had to try human foosball.)

Camp unleashed something in me. I felt like myself in every single situation, with every new person. I was there for three days, yet built real relationships and found new, amazing friends. These people KNOW me. And I just keep thinking: This is what life is about. It’s about joy and fun. It’s about foolishness and freedom. It’s about wonder and daring. It’s about friendships and intimacy. It’s about connection and spirituality. This is what kids know instinctively. We spend all this time “growing up” and we lose this, which actually means we lose ourselves. So I am challenging myself to play more in my “real” life. As our staffer Ben says, "Camp is a mindset." I want to live with that mindset. And I want to encourage you to tap into that mindset. What is your version of play? What makes you feel most free? How can you let go of your own judgment and simply lean into the joy?

Of course, it’s a bigger challenge in the “real world.” As soon as I got back, I dove into the most challenging project of my professional life on top of my usual gigs as a story guide with personal podcasting company Artifact, writing, moderating panels, and more. (See below for all the usual article links, panel videos, recommendations, vacation photos, show calendar, etc.) But the new year is coming — Shana Tovah to all my Jewish people! Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, arrives in a few days. With this new year, I will prioritize play. I will make room for my inner child. I hope that you will find one small way to do the same. Love and all that jazz, Ruthie

My panel with the music team of Broadway's Some Like It Hot (clockwise from TL): Me, Mary-Mitchell Campbell (Music Supervisor), Darryl Archibald (Music Director/Conductor), Scott Wittman (lyricist), Marc Shaiman (Composer-Lyricist)

Daybreaker Yoga at Trybal

Recommendations: 

*If these recommendations inspire you to check out something new, I’d love to know! Tag your post about it with #ruthierecommends. (To know the full breadth of what I have already seen, check out my Instagram.)

1. The Kite Runner. The Broadway stage adaptation of Khaled Hosseini’s best-selling novel is a masterpiece. Absolutely stunning. Stunning. I am put over the edge by this play. I haven’t seen something that moved me like this in so long. Quiet. Devastating. Heartbreaking. And, oh, what a story. Gorgeously directed without bells or whistles, this production leans on craft and allusions (yes, with an "a") and actors and toil. THIS show is a brilliant example of how to affectingly use projection design and how to light a show. I stage-doored it. I had to. I had to tell lead actor Amir Arison (The Blacklist) what he gave me — what he gave all of us — with his performance. I have no idea how he carves himself out like that once let alone for a run of this, but you must witness him and the absolute gift that is Eric Sirakian, who plays opposite him. Eric is a magical being. Faran Tahir struck me with his manifestation of Baba. The entire cast… [deep exhale]. I am so scared that I’m raising expectations too high but I really was mesmerized and moved. Bravo playwright Matthew Spangler and dramatrug Humaira Ghilzai on this impossible adaptation made possible. Anyone who loved the novel or ever wanted to read it, must go. PLEASE if you’re reading this buy a ticket to this. PLEASE support this kind of true theatre. It’s made me believe.

2. Titanique. I don’t consider myself a parody-musical person. Perhaps I should reconsider because Titanique is simply fantastique. It is a sendup of the movie Titanic and Celine Dion, set to the music of Celine Dion. Now, I’ve seen Titanic once — maybe twice — all the way through. But I lived through Titanic fever. Chances are you did, too, which means you need to see this. Comedic GENIUS Marla Mindelle (see: iconique “Colors of the Wind” video) and Constantine Rousouli co-wrote and star in the musical and Marla conjures a perfect caricature of Celine onstage. The premise: A group tours the Titanic Museum when Celine enters and exclaims in her French accent: “Stop! This is not the story. I was ON the ‘Titan-ique’! I will tell you the real story.” Hilarity ensues. Every comedic beat lands. The voices in this cast are stellar — Celine is hard to sing and they nail. The show only runs through November 6. I’m going back for my birthday. You should venture aboard. Get tickets here.

3. Here There Are Blueberries. This new play is feat to behold. I cannot wait for New York audiences to be able to see it. I caught the inaugural production at the La Jolla Playhouse in California. It’s the true story of a Nazi SS Guard’s photo album from his time during the Holocaust. The snapshots show the Nazi side of life — and it’s wild. This piece not only deftly explores the people in this album and their experiences, the play also chronicles the intricate and relentless process archivists at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum undertook to figure out the identity and story of every face in these pages. This is a mystery, a drama, and a vital historical account all in one. And the innovative way they tell this story…! Moisés Kaufman (who wrote The Laramie Project and founded Tectonic Theatre Company) co-writes and directs, but it’s the devising process signature of Tectonic that yields such powerful results. The design elements are the epitome of craft and collaborative making. Make a note of this title and learn more here.

4. From the Jump by Lacie Waldon. If you’re looking for a feel-good romance, this little novel is it. I read it during my trip to California. It’s the story of five inseparable college friends and what happens when one of them finally opens up to the possibility that one of the guys in her group is actually attracted to her. Great banter. Loveable characters. A push-pull romance. Give yourself an easy pleasure. Get a copy here.
5. The Great Pottery Throwdown. This British competition show has filled the Great British Baking Show-sized hole in my heart. I’m late to the party because there six season available. My dear friend Melanie recommended it and it’s exactly the zen I need. Each week, the potters take on three challenges: a Main Make (sort of an elongated showstopper), a spot test (a technical test judged blindly), and a throwdown (a timed task at the potter’s wheel). I’m learning so much about ceramics and firing and glazing and sculpting. It’s brilliant. Of course, it’s British — so even though it’s a competition, nothing warms my heart more than when they HELP EACH OTHER. Could you imagine that happening on an American reality show? Judge Keith is quickly becoming my new favorite tv character who literally cries about pottery. It is so pure. Watch artists create beauty before your eyes, pick your favorite Brit, and let the smoothness of the wheel soothe you. Watch it on HBOMax.

6. Never Have I Ever - Season 3. The Netflix series from Mindy Kaling is exactly what I want my teen drama to be. Not to mention the narration by John McEnroe kills me. It is a hilarious device used to perfection. If you haven’t watched the first two seasons, get on it. The show follows Devi Vishwakumar, a young Indian girl growing up in The Valley who’s dealing with the sudden death of her father. All of her hope lies in her dream to one day get with the hottest guy in school, Paxton Hall-Yoshida. Devi is such an incredible character. I love watching her wild swings from one end of the spectrum to the other. One minute she showing up for her friends in the best way, another she so self-involved she doesn’t realize anyone else occupies the planet. She’s so volatile. And the show manages to capture all the archetypes of high school (robotics nerd, drama queen, empty-headed stoner, jock bro, overachiever with an ulcer) while making them feel singular. It’s hilarious while also being real. Watch it now on Netflix.

7. The Sport of Tennis. I am literally recommending a sport. Tennis, to be specific. As those of you who’ve subscribed to this newsletter for a while, you know of my love for the game and my obsession with Rafael Nadal. This past U.S. Open (one of the four Grand Slam tournaments of the tennis calendar) was the best tournament I have witnessed in years. I can proudly say that my enthusiasm on my Instastories has pulled some of you to the dark side, but I want more of you to love this game. It is absolutely singular. Tennis is gladiators. It’s physical, it’s emotional, it’s mental, it’s psychological. To watch a great match is to watch a battle. The shotmaking and angles and elongated points (Tweeners! Drop shots! Inside out forehands!) create marvel and suspense. The minuscule margins and personalities create drama. You can feel the momentum swing between two players. You can watch them pump themselves up to victory or crumble under the pressure. The U.S. Open was the final slam of the year, but there are tournaments all year round. September 23–25 is the Laver Cup, which is team tennis. Players still compete in singles and doubles matches, but those wins and losses contribute to a team score and the teams are Europe vs. The World. The competition is amazing, but what’s even cooler is that the players coach each other. I’ll never forget watching Roger Federer coach Rafael Nadal during a changeover of one of his matches. The 2022 Laver Cup will also be Roger Federer’s last professional match. It’ll be worth a watch. Check your local listings.

Keep an eye out for:

1. Leopoldstadt (Now in previews on Broadway) Playwright Tom Stoppard (Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead) returns to Broadway. People are raving about the London production and now we get a Broadway cast that includes three-time Tony nominee Brandon Uranowtiz, Caissie Levy, Seth Numrich, and dozens more. Stoppard learned in his fifties that  he was Jewish and his ancestors were killed in concentration camps. This realization inspired him to write this play that spans 50 years in the Jewish shtetl of Leopoldstadt. 

2. & Juliet (Begins previews October 28 on Broadway) What if, when Juliet wakes up in her tomb and finds Romeo dead, she doesn’t kill herself? That’s what this jukebox musical — set to 100 percent pop tunes from the ’90s — imagines. Friends of mine rave about the London production. I think it’s just going to be a blast. 

3. KPOP (Begins previews October 13 on Broadway) I missed this when it was Off-Broadway years ago, but it won allll the Lucille Lortel Awards (big deal for Off-Broadway). It has an ORIGINAL score. It is NOT a KPop jukebox. The choreography is supposed to be fabulous. I’m excited to see what it’s about. 

4. Only Gold (Begins previews October 5 at MCC Theater Off-Broadway) Director-choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler is now also a writer! He conceived of this musical and wrote it with Ted Malawar and Kate Nash. Andy is the three-time Tony-winning choreographer of In The Heights, Hamilton, and Bandstand. I cannot wait to see this piece move onstage. Plus, the cast is outrageous.
5. Some Like It Hot (Begins previews November 1 on Broadway) The team behind Hairspray reunites for the updated and stage-adapted version of the Marilyn Monroe movie. This has a score of all original songs and talking about this show with the creative team, I think it’s gonna be superb. Not to mention this cast is aces: Christian Borle, J. Harrison Ghee, Adrianna Hicks, NaTasha Yvette Williams.

Big Sur Adventure

Calendar  

BROADWAY

Cost of Living (Begins performances September 13, Opens October 3)

Samuel J. Friedman Theatre - Manhattan Theatre Club

Martyna Majok’s Pulitzer Prize–winning play gets its Broadway bow starring Tony nominee Kara Young (Clyde’s), David Zaya, Katy Sullivan, and Gregg Mozgala.

Leopoldstadt (Begins performances September 14, Opens October 2)

Longacre Theatre

The great Tom Stoppard brings his latest play to Broadway. Already a triumph in London’s West End, the show spans more than 50 years of time, following the fictional Merz family from 1899 Vienna, where they reside in the Leopoldstadt quarter, all the way to 1955. Stoppard wrote the play in response to his late-in-life discovery that his ancestors were killed in concentration camps. This run stars Caissie Levy, three-time Tony nominee Brandon Uranowitz,  and more.

1776 (Begins performances September 16, Opens October 6)

American Airlines Theatre - Roundabout Theatre Company

An all-female revival of the classic musical from Roundabout Theatre Company. Tony-winning director Diane Paulus (Pippin) debuted the production earlier this year at A.R.T. in Cambridge, MA. This production will star Kristolyn Lloyd (Dear Evan Hansen), Carolee Carmello, and more.

Death of a Salesman (Begins performances September 19, Opens October 9)

Hudson Theatre

From the London production directed by three-time Tony-winning director Marianne Elliott (Company, Curious Incident, War Horse) and Miranda Cromwell comes this revival of the Arthur Miller play starring Wendell Pierce as Willy Loman, Sharon D Clarke (Caroline, or Change), powerhouses Khris Davis (Sweat) and McKinley Belcher III (A Soldier’s Play) and Tony winner André De Shields.

The Piano Lesson (Begins performances September 19, Opens October 13)

Ethel Barrymore Theatre

Director LaTanya Richardson Jackson helms this August Wilson play revival that stars Samuel L. Jackson, Danielle Brooks, and John David Washington. (Michael Potts, too!)

Topdog/Underdog (Begins performances September 27, Opens October 20)

Golden Theatre

Two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Suzan-Lori Parks brings her stunner of a play to Broadway after it wowed audience Off-Broadway in 2001. Kenny Leon directs and it stars Corey Hawkins (In The Heights movie) and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (TV’s Watchmen).

Almost Famous (Begins performances October 3, Opens November 3)

Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre

Cameron Crowe writes the book to the musical adaptation of his beloved film. With music by Tony winner Tom Kitt and lyrics by Kitt and Crowe, the cast stars Solea Pfeiffer (City Center Evita and Drew Gehling (Waitress).

Kimberly Akimbo (Begins performances October 12, Opens November 10)

Booth Theatre

Tony winner Victoria Clark (The Light in the Piazza) returns to Broadway in this sweet and fresh new musical about a tween girl with a condition that makes her age exceedingly fast. With music by Jeanine Tesori (Fun Home) and a book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire (Rabbit Hole), the show also stars belt-for-heavens Bonnie Milligan and newcomer Justin Cooley, who was truly my favorite. 

KPOP (Begins performances October 13, Opens November 20)

Circle in the Square

Despite its name, this is not a jukebox musical. It’s a musical about KPOP with an original score by Helen Park and Max Vernon. The Off-Broadway production won a ton of Lucille Lortel Awards (big deal). 

OFF-BROADWAY

I’m Revolting (Now playing through October 16)

Atlantic Theatre Company

"At a skin cancer clinic in NYC (not the famous one), patients wait to find out how much of themselves they’re about to lose." Directed by Knud Adams (English) and written by Gracie Gardner.  

Cheek to Cheek: Irving Berlin in Hollywood (Now playing through October 16)

York Theatre

Directed and choreographed by Randy Skinner (Dames at Sea, 42nd Street in the West End) brings Irving Berlin's hits of the silver screen to life onstage.

A Raisin in the Sun (Begins performances September 27)

The Public Theater

Director Robert O'Hara's production from the Williamstown Theatre Festival stars Tonya Pinkins. The cast also includes Mister Fitzgerald (who I've been keeping an eye on since Exception to the Rule) and Paige Gilbert (School Girsl... original cast).

Everything’s Fine (Begins performances September 28)

Daryl Roth Theatre

John Lithgow directs this play by Douglas McGrath in a play about Douglas' "life as a 14-year-old in Midland, Texas – the town most famous for the disappearance below ground, and the recovery above ground of “Baby Jessica.”

Only Gold (Begins October 5)

MCC Theater

Director-choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler is now also a writer! He conceived of this musical and wrote it with Ted Malawar and Kate Nash. Andy is the three-time Tony-winning choreographer of In The Heights, Hamilton, and Bandstand. This marks the world-premiere.

A Man of No Importance (Begins October 11)

Classic Stage Company

The Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty musical returns to the stage in this new production directed by John Doyle (The Color Purple revival). The cast includes Jim Parsons, Shereen Ahmed, Mary Beth Peil, and more.

Complicity (Through October 15)

New Ohio Theatre

This new play by Diane Davis "tells a story about women holding women accountable amidst the pervasive sexual harassment and abuse in Hollywood."

As always, if you need show recommendations or if you have theatre questions, please get in touch! I LOVE to answer. Keep tabs on RuthieFierberg.com. 

Thank you for your enduring support.

My Philosophy

I believe in art's power to create change. Art—particularly theatre—can help us reflect, determine, and, sometimes, change our beliefs. I hope that you all continue to engage with the storytelling and art around you—wherever you are and whatever level—and that you entertain different points of view. Advocate for your principles while always leaving room to hear others and evolve. Let's stay engaged, thoughtful, and active.