Off Broadway Review: The Other Josh Cohen

David Rossmer and Steve Rosen. Photo:  Caitlin McNaney

The Other Josh Cohen

Book, Music and Lyrics by David Rossmer and Steve Rosen

Directed by Hunter Foster

Westside Theatre

Through April 28

By Lauren Yarger

What's It All About?

A quirky and fun rock musical reviewing events in the last year of the life of Josh Cohen (Steven Rosen) as told by Josh Cohen (David Rossmer). The stars are the book, music and lyric writers of this tale about a nice guy who cannot find a girlfriend and cannot catch a break. Suddenly, it seems as though luck might have come his way when he receives a large check in the mail from a long-lost relative. But this is Josh, the guy with all the bad luck. The check actually was intended for someone with the same name and so he begins a letter writing campaign to vent his frustration at the "other Josh Cohen."

What Are the Highlights?
A bouncy, catchy score and smart direction by Hunter Fosters which allows interaction between the two Joshs as well as with the ensemble transforming with wigs and costumes (Costume Designer Nikki V. Moody) into a variety of characters. Hunter creates characters and scenes as if from air and seamlessly has actors switching between action and playing instruments in this fast-paced 90 minutes. 

Filling out the cast are (amusingly credited in the Playbill as "A Lot of People," "A Bunch of People," "A Bunch of Other People," "The Rest of the People" and "At Least One More Person" -- if that makes you chuckle, you will enjoy the show -- are Jane Bruce, Louis Tucci, Cathryn Wake, Luke Darnell and Elizabeth Nestlebrode. 

What Are the Lowlights?

There is a bit of confusion at the top of the show as Josh's apartment is burglarized. the action takes place over a fairly long period of time as the audience is still entering and it is hard to know if we are supposed to be watching the action carefully or not.  It's  a small complaint.

More Information:

The Other Josh Cohen has been extended at the Westside Theatre, 407 West 43rd St., NYC through April 28.

Additional credits:

Scenic Designer Carolyn Mraz; Lighting Designer Jeff Croiter; Sound Designer Bart Fasbender; Music Supervisor Dan Lipton;; Co-Orchestrators David Rossmer and Dan Lipton. Musical Staging is by Whitney G-Bowley.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY FACTORS:

-- Language

-- Lord's name taken in vain

More Book Reviews Coming; Some Awards

The National Book Critics Circle (I am a proud member) will announce winners of its 2019 awards at a ceremony March 14 at The New School in New York City. The ceremony at 6:30 pm is free. Tickets to the reception following are available at http://www.bookcritics.org/awards.

Look for more reviews of arts and theater-related books with a Christian perspective coming to this site soon!

A Bevy of Bibles for the New Year

By Lauren Yarger
It's that time of year, and many of you have contacted me for recommendations about last-minute gifts of bibles. It's also the time of year when many plan a new year's resolution to read through the entire bible or to spend more time in the word. Fortunately, I received a bunch of new bibles from Zondervan to review. I already have recommended a bunch of them to those of you who contacted me via email. All of the bibles mentioned here are New International Versions. Here's a wrap-up of what I found:

The NIV Thinline bible is compact and ideal for throwing in a travel bag (the entire New International translation is contained in a volume that is less than one inch thick. I have used this model myself for years and gave it as a gift for Christmas this year. This updated version (with a purple grape and orchid motif on the faux-leather cover) offers a font called "comfort print" which allows the smaller text size (9.4 point) to be read with relative ease.

The text is formatted in two columns with the words of Jesus are in red. The volume lies flat for study.

$29.99
ISBN 978-0-310-44890-7

The Jesus Bible. with a light blue imitation leather cover, comes boxed and includes a custom reading experience app. Louie Giglio is editor in chief of a large editorial staff which composes and compiles information throughout the volume including essays from Giglio, Max Lucado, John Piper, Ravi Zacharias and Randy Alcorn around the theme that all of the books and stories in the bible are about Jesus.

Information about certain passages is highlighted on the side of the text. Other pages with commentary on topics, such as people of the time, what their lives were like, how the law affected them, etc., are interspersed on pages before and within the text. These informational additions are abundant (more than 300 full-page articles and 700 sidebar pieces are included) and offer quite a lot of insight into the scripture.

The biblical text itself, formatted in a single column, is pretty small to make room for all of the commentaries, timelines and blank spaces on pages for notes. The volume packs a wallop of information and is a helpful tool for those looking to do more intense study.

$69.99

ISBN 978-7803-10-44469-5

The Beautiful Word Bible is available in several formats, including a coloring version that offers hundreds pf versus to color in for those embracing the adult coloring book fad. I even received a large-print version of the latter which might just inspire me to take up the hobby. It is large sized and hard cover with cloth. The print is very easy on older eyes and the journaling and art work you can add to the volume make bible study a personal experience.

The non-coloring version has plenty of room for notes. It comes with 500 beautifully illustrated, full color verses (and the one I examined comes with a very attractive, Italian-style taupe and cranberry leather cover which would make a beautiful gift). The single-column text is small, but the volume is compact.

Leather non coloring version: $49.99 ISBN 978-0-310-44427-5

Large-print Coloring Bible: $49.99 ISBN 978-0-310-44705-4

Journal the Word bibles are just what they say: the scriptural text with lined space in the extra-wide margins of each page for your notes.

Hardcover with pink floral cloth.

$39.99
ISBN 978-0-310-445166-6

The Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, edited by John H. Walton and Craig S. Keener, is a treasure trove of biblical culture. The leather-like covered volume, with a sage/leaf motif, comes boxed for attractive gift-giving, but bible study lovers might want to hold on to a copy for themselves. It is loaded with helpful information about the laws, politics, geography, literature and culture of the bible as mentioned in scripture. Color photos bring passages to life. The new and old testaments start with introductions that include key concepts and background information. The Old Testament includes a chart to help readers understand terms.

The text (small) is formatted in two columns, with detailed notes at the bottom of each page to explain the nuances of each verse. The amount of information in this volume is impressive and would be a handy tool for anyone who teaches bible study or for pastors as they prepare sermons.

Checking out these bibles was like an early Christmas present. I realized it has been a while since I have upgraded the bible I use for study. You can benefit from these samples too -- I have some to give away to my readers after the new year. Stay tuned for details!

$79.99
ISBN 978-0-310-08095-4

Copies of the bibles mentioned here were provided by the publisher without expectation of a review -- positive or otherwise. If you are a publisher or author and have books that fall into the Christian or Arts non-fiction genre and would like a review, contact us for information on how to submit. We don't review self-published books.

American Pride Calendars Support Hillenglade's Ministry to Veterans

Visit this link for a video message from spokesperson  Jennifer O'Neill.

https://youtu.be/9zoRfpwhGl8

Hillenglade in Nashville, has provided hope and healing to armed forces, veterans, first responders and their families since 2010.

Hope and Healing at Hillenglade Equine-Assisted Programs and

Events offer a safe place to:

RENEW HEARTS - RESTORE RELATIONSHIPS - REBUILD LIVES

To find out more about Hillenglade's, visit www.Hillenglade.com

Book Review: Bible Stories Gone Crazy

Bible Stories Gone Crazy
By Josh Edwards
Illustrated by Emiliano Migliardo
Candle Books, 2015

By Lauren Yarger

When I review young children's books, I always do so with a mind toward whether one of my little nephews might enjoy it. After all, the test of a kids' book is whether or not kids like it as much as I enjoy reading it with them.

"Bible Stories Gone Crazy" is a winner, because all three (ages 6 and under) can enjoy it together or separately. A larger sized hardcover book, "Bible Stories Gone Crazy" offers a sort of "Where's Waldo" learning environment where kids can enjoy finding goofy mistakes in drawings depicting bible stories.

"Did Noah have electric tools and cement mixers? Did the Israelites really have surfboards," asks the book. But among the silliness and the complex, colorful drawings are some more serious questions bordering the pages, like, "how many pairs of animals are there?" or "Do you know why the king threw Daniel into the pit of Lions?" that teach kids math and reasoning skills as well as some bible history.

Stories highlighted include Noah and the Ark, Moses and the Exodus, Joshua and the Wall of Jericho, David and Goliath, Daniel and the Lion's Den, Jonh and the Whale and the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes. There is quite a lot packed into this book for hours of learning fun.

One complaint. Perhaps I received a damaged copy, but several of the plastic-covered pages were creased and the stitching binding the book together doesn't allow pages to lie flat to facilitate exploring the drawings for hidden mistakes.

http://www.kregel.com/childrens-activities/bible-stories-gone-crazy/

A copy of the book was provided by the publisher.

Christian Women in Media Events to be Held in Five Cities

The Christian Women in Media Association (CWIMA) will host five regional connection events across the country this Thursday, Sept. 17 in Dallas, New York City, Nashville, Hollywood, and Minneapolis. Each regional event will feature a keynote speaker as well as a media seminar.

The purpose of CWIMA is to advance professional Christian women in TV, radio, internet, film, publishing, music, the arts, and entertainment. The organization uses the regional connections as a way to provide opportunities for industry networking, professional equipping, and spiritual refreshment.

 "I am excited about the A-list platform we are providing this year," said CWIMA President Suellen Roberts. "It's new and fresh and it will be of great benefit to all who attend!"

The Southwest/Dallas CWIMA regional connection will start at 5:45 p.m.with a Mix and Mingle in the Bent Tree Country Club, 5201 Westgrove Drive, Dallas. At 6 pm award-winning film producer Cheryl Wicker, president of Premier 1 Studios, will share her expertise on social media during the media seminar. At 7 pm dinner will be served and KCBI FM radio Assistant General Manager and Outreach Director Sharon Geiger will speak to the group on God's work through Christian radio/media. Recording artist Bridgette Hammers is the musical artist for the evening.

The Northeast/New York City CWIMA regional connection starts with a Mix and Mingle at 6:30 p.m. at the Shelter Studios and Theatres, 244 West 54th St., New York. Makeup artist Jacqui Phillips will do a media seminar 7 pm, followed by April Lee Hernandez and the keynote address.

 

The Southeast/Nashville CWIMA regional connection will be held at The Historic Carriage Lane Inn at 337 East Burton St., Murfreesboro, TN. It starts with a Mix and Mingle at 6pm. At 6:30 p.m. Jody Powers, the founder of the nonprofit Amelia's Closet, will lead a media seminar called "Saying Farewell to Insecurity." She will show participants ways to deal with insecurities that keep us in our comfort zones and paralyze us from taking action. Then at 7:15 pm dinner, followed by Channel 4 News Anchor Holly Thompson with the keynote speech "Sisterhood: We Need Each Other." She will show women how they can find balance in life while they are being pulled in different directions. Recording artist Jme Medina will sing some musical selections.

The West Coast/Hollywood Chapter of CWIMA regional connection will be held at CBS Studios located at 4024 Radford Ave., Studio City, CA. Members will share time connecting and networking starting at 6 pm. At 6:30  pm the Founding Director of the Hollywood Prayer Network, Karen Covell, will lead a panel discussion on "The Role of a Christian Woman in the Media." The keynote speaker for the evening is actress, producer and director Nancy McNamara. Following dinner at 7:15 pm she will discuss "Being Comfortable with being Uncomfortable."

The Midwest/Minneapolis CWIMA regional connection will be held at The Woman's Club of Minneapolis located at 410 Oak Grove St., Minneapolis. The chapter will start its meeting at 5:45 pm with a media seminar on writing a memoir led by author Lee Blum. A Mix and Mingle is next at 6:30. Dinner will be served at 7.followed by the keynote message by inspirational speaker Nancy Holte, who will challenge you to move out of your comfort zone and into the life to which God is calling you. Dawna Johnson is the musical artist for the evening.

For more information on Christian Women in Media Association visit www.cwima.org.

About Christian Women in Media Association: Christian Women in Media Association (CWIMA) is a professional association dedicated to connecting women in purpose and vision. With a national platform focused on impacting our culture through media, our members work in the fields of social media, film, TV, radio, publishing, music, the arts, and entertainment. The organization promotes and provides opportunities for industry networking, professional equipping, and spiritual inspiration. CWIMA provides national conferences, music showcases, regional events, local networks, and international outreach.


 

New England Christian Writers Retreat

Visit www.NewEnglandChristianWritersRetreat.com for schedule and details.