WHEN THE RABBIS CAME TO TOWN MICHIGAN PREMIERE
This play is based on the story of Chicago Rabbi Allen Secher, 91, who is portrayed by veteran West Michigan Actor Adam Bell. Following the performance Secher takes the stage to lead an audience discussion.
Secher was one of 16 rabbis arrested during a segregation protest at the Monson Motor Lodge in St. Augustine, Florida on June 18 , 1964. This event, the largest arrest of rabbis in American history, led directly to passage of the civil rights act the following day. His work with Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in Florida and Georgia is part of this story illuminating how people of different faiths can come together to bring down the curtain on discrimination. Secher is one of the last survivors of this pivotal Civil Rights protest that changed American history. It is our honor to bring this little known story to a national audience.
This one man show focuses on Rabbi Secher’s 70 year battle for civil rights and against anti-semitism. Following Bell’s performance Rabbi Secher takes the stage to lead an audience discussion that includes a look at the current attempt to derail the Civil Rights Act in the courts and Congress. This play has been drawing full houses in St. Augustine, Jacksonville, Milwaukee and the Chicago area. It will be travelling soon to Miami, Los Angeles and other cities across the country.
Adam Bell leads the Actors Workshop of West Michigan and is well known for his performances in West Michigan. Director Diane van Wesep is also a well known West Michigan actress. The script was written by Roger Rapoport and Leslye Witt.
Tickets for this Michigan Premiere of When The Rabbis Came To Town at 4 p.m. and the 5:30 p.m. VIP that follows the show are available at this link. The VIP ticket includes show admission, a meet and greet with Rabbi Secher, star Adam Bell, director Diane van Wesep and the playwrights, Roger Rapoport and Leslye Witt.
You can find out more about this one man show based on the life of Rabbi Allen Secher here. ‘
Read the Jerusalem Post article about Rabbi Secher at this link.