What do you do after college, when you double majored in theater and religious studies?
If you’re Amy Holson-Schwartz, you write and produce a play called “Can I Really Date a Guy Who Wears a Yarmulke?”
Oy.
Eleanor is a smart, savvy New Yorker whose secular brand of Judaism might include the occasional latke, but definitely does not include God,
the website says.
Aaron is Dr. Right — he’s got the brains, the looks, the wit… But wait! He’s’ also got a serious case of religion. Can Eleanor see past his yarmulke to find love?
Theater-goers sold out shows at the 2010 Midtown International Theatre Festival. Now the show heads to the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn. The curtain rises every Monday in November, at 7:30 p.m.
Holson-Schwartz is a product of Kings Highway, Bedford Middle School and Staples’ Class of 2002. She was an active participant in Staples Players, both on- and off-stage.
A few hours after finishing her senior thesis at The New School, she hopped a plane to Israel. Her Birthright trip inspired “Yarmulke,” which Holson-Schwartz calls “really about what it is to be young, American and Jewish in the 21st century.
“There’s a lot of work out there right now about romance between people of different cultural backgrounds. My interest was in seeing what would happen to people of varying degrees of the same religious tradition.”
Holson-Schwartz knows from funny and insightful writing. Her mother, Nancy Holson, was the brains behind “The News in Revue,” a long-time Westport First Night favorite.
(The revue was produced by Holson Productions, Amy’s company — which with former Staples grad Marc Bailin, co-produces “Yarmulke.”
Congratulations and good luck, Amy. Our hat yarmulke is off to you.
(For more information on “Can I Really Date a Guy Who Wears a Yarmulke?” click here.)
Amy not only is talented, she’s also a beautiful lady.
My best friend was asked that question and she said no. Her head-over-heels beau asked why not? Her mouth full of corn flakes, she said “yarmulke”. What? He leaned in closer. She finished chewing, swallowed, and said firmly, “Your MOTHER”.
I do believe that 40% of the Jewish faith now marry outside their religion. From my experience, such is not always looked upon favorably by the Jewish father. I would love to see a narrative, in whatever form, of the underlying skirmish of that family issue. Kudos to Amy.
Amy’s production at the Midtown International Theater Festival was awarded
The Producer’s Award for the festival.
Her very proud father