Energetic and lively ‘Jungle Book’ for SOAR show

LAKEVILLE — The SOAR production of “The Jungle Book” played to excellent houses on Friday and Saturday, March 7 and 8, in the gym at Salisbury Central School.It was the first time a SOAR play has been on the big stage in the school gym.Amber Flint roared to great effect as Shere Khan, a hungry tiger, and three actors portayed the hero, Mowgli, at different ages — Josie Marks, Caroline Fallon and Tabitha Maffucci.The finale was especially energetic.The show was written by the cast, who were also involved in all other aspects of the production — music, set design and costumes.Director Andrew Joffe paced the rear of the gym during Saturday’s performance, finally breaking into a large smile during the final scene.

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Ruth Franklin discusses ‘The Many Lives of Anne Frank’ at Beth David

Ruth Franklin and Ileene Smith in conversation at Congregation Beth David in Amenia.

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Congregation Beth David in Amenia hosted a conversation on the enduring legacy of Anne Frank, one of the 20th century’s most iconic figures. Ruth Franklin, award-winning biographer and critic, shared insights from her highly acclaimed book “The Many Lives of Anne Frank” with thought-provoking questions from Ileene Smith, Editorial Director of the Jewish Lives series. This event, held on July 23 — the date Anne Frank would have turned 96 — invited the large audience to reconsider Anne Frank not just as the young writer of a world-famous diary, but as a cultural symbol shaped by decades of representation and misrepresentation.

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Yuja Wang performs with the TMCO and Andris Nelsons.

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