In 1984 Diane Allison was asked to put together a program for the Jewish Senior Center of Hyde Park, Chicago, in honor of Israeli Independence Day. Puzzling what to do, the word `Miriam' came to mind. Miriam? Miriam who? Moses' sister? Research revealed the first musician of the Bible, a poet, a dancer, a prophetess, the little girl who saves her baby brother at the Nile. But it also revealed darkness: Angry at Moses' marriage to a foreigner, she suggests to Aaron that they take over the leadership. God strikes her with leprosy and banishment. At first Allison asked herself, `What if Miriam never came back, but wandered, leprous, for centuries along the hills of Judea?' She designed a dance/narrative on that premise, reliving Miriam's life, ending in 1948, joining the people in their dance, ignoring the doctors' pleas. "I am not old!" she tells them. " I am free!"
Years later, at the Makor Artists Network of the 92nd Street Y in New York City, Basmat Hazan, a brilliant Israeli director, encouraged Allison to rethink the piece. This time the question was, `Why?' and the answer, after much research, was an astonishing revelation. It required more humor, pathos and visual drama than Allison alone could provide.
It required Miriam herself.
So Allison used her artist's skill to transform foam-core, aluminum , hardware, wood, hair-bands, buttons, and layers of glittering cloth into a life-size puppet, who at once seized the role.
Heart-rending, funny, thought-provoking, MIRIAM was performed recently for the Women's Interfaith Institute, and board member Wendy Rabinewitz writes,
" . . . a four-star transformative experience. Ms. Allison and Miriam dance through history and our lives and leave us with a breath of understanding and feeling that deeply touches our spiritual core. Not to be missed."
A 30-minute musical performance with minimal set-up, you'll find that this play encourages your audience to think deeply about the issues of enslavement and freedom, anger and healing love. It can be a moving introduction to any forum on peace, women and spirituality, or biblical studies.
Cost per performance: $500 plus transportation and lodging. Includes all sound equipment and music, and time afterwards for discussion.
A DVD of the performance is available as well as a 3-minute promotional disc. Please call for details: (917) 586-1877 or e-mail dianew4all@aol.com
Time Out magazines gave Miriam a 4-star review.
Contact dianew4all@aol.com for scheduling information.
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Photos by Matthew Weinstein
