Both current Boca Raton productions, “The Camp,” a drama set in the Holocaust-era, running now through Dec. 17 at the Levis Jewish Community Center and the musical “She Loves Me,” running now through Dec. 23 at the Wick Theatre, have engaged audiences while receiving positive reviews from critics.
“The Camp” by South Florida playwright Michael McKeever is set in a small German town during the final days of World War II where American soldiers discover the reality of civilians, rather than soldiers, being murdered systematically in a concentration camp.
McKeever also acts in the production, playing the villain, a cordial German mayor, who surrenders to the Americans, but who claims ignorance when the American captain (played by actor Bill Schwartz) discovers the concentration camp.
As the mystery of what happened at the concentration camp is revealed, the German mayor pleas that he was a victim of the Nazis.
Deep emotions are shared on stage by the main characters, which include a Holocaust survivor (actress Jeni Hacker) and an American Jewish officer (actor Todd Bruno), bringing the play to a surprising climax.
“The play is timely and its impact is thought provoking and powerful,” wrote theatre critic Christine Dolen in “southflorida.com.”
“McKeever’s message is hardly new, but it’s true. Staying silent and doing nothing in the face of inhumanity does not obviate guilt,” wrote Dolen.
“I wrote the play because I am a student of history and saw the implications of morality to be examined by the audiences,” said McKeever.
As a playwright, McKeever has written “Daniel’s Husband” and, as an actor, won a Carbonnell Award for his portrayal of a Jewish Holocaust prisoner in “The Timekeepers.”
McKeever is openly gay and has a same sex marriage with Jewish artistic director Stuart Meltzer of Zoetic Stage in Miami.
“I became aware of many social issues involving the Jewish community through both being raised in North Miami Beach and my relationship with Stuart (Meltzer),” said McKeever.
For tickets at the Levis Jewish Community Center, 9801 Donna Klein Blvd. in Boca Raton, call 561-558-2520 or go to www.levisjcc.org.
Jewish actress Julie Kleiner stars in the musical romantic comedy “She Loves Me,” written by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick, who also wrote “Fiddler on the Roof.”
Set in an department store in 1934, Kleiner plays a staff employee who falls in love with a secret admirer who also works at the store. Kleiner sings eight songs, including the popular “Dear Friend.”
“Kleiner gives a standout performance both as a comedic actress with heart and one of the best Broadway musical voices in the state,” wrote theatre critic Bill Hirschman in “floridatheateronstage.com.”
Kleiner, 33, of Boynton Beach, started her career on stage at age nine, playing “Hodel” in “Fiddler on the Roof” and has two children, married to businessman Howard Davis.
“I love my life and know I could have had a career on Broadway and national tours, but it would be impossible to maintain a marriage and family,” said Kleiner.
For tickets at the Wick Theatre, 7901 N. Federal Hwy. in Boca Raton, call 561-995-2333 or go to www.thewick.org.