free staged reading of playwright Robert Coppel’s two-act play “To Life,” recreating a fictionalized version of his Jewish family, will be performed Aug. 14 at 8 p.m. at Main Street Playhouse in Miami Lakes.
“Although the characters Harold, Minnie and Ronnie Cohen, Amy and James Timpson, are not the actual names of my family, the story and dynamics of the characters are based on my own experiences,” said Coppel, who has been artistic director of Main Street Players at Main Street Playhouse for the past 12 years.
The story centers on the interaction of Jewish mother Minnie Cohen and her husband Harold with her two adult children Amy and Ronnie.
Minnie in particular is coping with changes in her personal life and how her role in the family has been transformed since her children became adults. In addition, the quality of her marriage to Harold is changing as conflicts arise.
“Minnie cares not only about the welfare of her family but also about Jewish culture and traditions. Minnie’s identification as a Jew starts the chain of events that moves the play,” said Coppel.