PJV#33
March 2008

In Their Own Words
• Robert Wexler
• Barack Obama
• Stern & Grossman

Special Dossier
• Pres. Primaries
• Passover PA Primary?
• Barack Obama
• Hillary Clinton
• John McCain
• Delegate Projections

Top Stories
• Lantos 1928-2008
• Nicolas Sarkozy
• Israel's Electric Car
• Tapes: NFL, CIA
• Behind The Curtain
• Schmoozing Terrorists
• Jews Of Sicily
• Letters to the Editor

Media Watchpost
• Savage Attack

Networking Central
• JDATE

Community
• Bernstein Concert
• Fair Game
• Haddonfield Players
• Oliver!
• Young Democrats

Teen Voice
• USY
• SUAVE

Raising A Mensch
• Why Jewish Camping?

Living Judaism
• Shall This Too Pass?

The Kosher Table
• Holiday Recipes

Free Subscription

Past Issues
2008 JFM
2007 JFMAMJJASOND
2006 JFMAMJJASOND
2005 JASOND

Donate

 
    Email This     About     Subscription     Donate     Contact     Links     Archives  


Dr. Liviu Librescu (1930-2007), holocaust survivor, world renowned scientist and victim of the massacre at Virginia Tech.
Community

Haddonfield Plays and Players
A tribute to Dr. Liviu Librescu.

-- Shen Shellenberger

Kim Adler, Co-Director and Co-Producer of the Haddonfield Plays & Players production of “Number the Stars,” announced last week that the company plans to dedicate its spring 2008 performances of the show to Dr. Liviu Librescu, the Virginia Tech professor who died while defending his students during the shooting that took place at the college on April 16, 2007.

Professor Librescu threw his body in front of the shooter when the man tried to enter Librescu’s classroom. Librescu’s son, Joe Librescu, reported that his father “blocked the doorway with his body and told his students to flee." Librescu's heroic actions allowed all of his students to escape unharmed.

For several years, Adler has been instrumental in presenting “Number the Stars,” a poignant portrait of friendship and courage during World War II, and said she was deeply touched by hearing the account of Dr. Librescu’s actions during the shooting incident.

“As events unfolded the day of the massacre at the school, I was struck by the fact that Dr. Librescu was a Holocaust survivor who gave his life in an attempt to save his students,” Adler said. “His bravery in the face of this horrific event brought to mind the central theme of ‘Number the Stars.’ His actions embody exactly what we try to teach with this very important piece of theatre.”

In addition to dedicating the Plays & Players’ production to Dr. Librescu’s memory, Adler said there will be a tree planted in Israel, where Librescu’s family resides.

“This living memorial,” Adler said, “will honor his life, his courage, and his dedication to his students.”

Cast members perform scene from Haddonfield Plays & Players' upcoming production of "Number the Stars."  (Photo: Steve Rogina / Plays & Players.)
The stage version of “Number the Stars” is adapted from Lois Lowry’s Newbery Award-winning book and features music and lyrics by Sean Hartley. The show, set in 1943 Copenhagen, tells the tender story of 10 year-old Annemarie Johansen and her family, who put their lives in danger to aid Annemarie’s best friend, Ellen Rosen.

“Number the Stars” will be on the Haddonfield Plays & Players' stage on March 18, 19 and 20 and April 1, 2 and 3. There will be two shows each day, at 10 a.m. and 1p.m., and evening performances at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 19 and Wednesday, April 2.

All tickets are $7, and can be reserved by calling the Box Office at 856-429-8139 or visiting the web site.

For additional information about the Dr. Librescu tribute or “Number the Stars”, contact Kim Adler at 856-428-0898 or musicalmama1125@hotmail.com.

Funding for “Number the Stars” has been made available by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts / New Jersey Department of State, through the Camden County Cultural and Heritage Commission, the designated arts agency of Camden County.



Did you enjoy this article?

If so,

  • share it with your friends so they do not miss out on this article,
  • subscribe (free), so you do not miss out on the next issue,
  • donate (not quite free but greatly appreciated) to enable us to continue providing this free service.

If not,