Israeli Stage comes to Rhode Island, performing about a teen with dyslexia

The English language premiere of “Never Ever Ever” is coming to the Dwares JCC. On Feb. 3, Israeli Stage will introduce the audience to Yoni, a young man on a journey during the one-hour performance.

This one-person monodrama, is a coming-of-age story. Yoni runs away from school, from home and from himself. He runs away the moment he hears the words disabled and dyslexic. In this moving show, the audience experiences what it is like to feel like an outsider, to feel different, be differently abled and yet at the same time, feel whole.

The play is of interest to adults who know someone with disabilities, to teens who would like to learn what many peers experience and to anyone interested in Israeli drama. The play will be followed by a question-and-answer period with the creators of the performance.

The play, which won four Assistej Awards in 2013, was written by Sivan Ben Yishai, directed by Guy Ben-Aharon  and translated by Natalie Fainstein. It features Jordan Ahnquist. Originally from Tel Aviv, Ben Yishai studied writing and directing at the University of Tel Aviv while studying acting at Nissan Nativ acting studio. In her 10 years of artistic work, she has directed, written and produced various projects that have been performed in venues and festivals across Israel.

In New England, Ahnquist has performed at The Barnstormers, The Welfleet Harbor Actor’s Theater, Speakeasy Stage Company, The Lyric Stage Company, New Repertory Theatre and is often found in the cast of the long-running comedy, “Shear Madness,” at the Charles Playhouse. Elsewhere, Ahnquist has worked with Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, The Utah Shakespeare Festival and Montana Shakespeare. He holds a B.A. in theater from Muhlenberg College.

Israeli Stage (IsraeliStage.com) is dedicated to sharing the diversity and vitality of Israeli culture through theater and has presented more than 15 plays in translation at more than 25 different locations on the East Coast. Israeli Stage has been profiled in Ha’aretz, The Boston Globe, The Improper Bostonian, The Washington Post and Yediot for the unique work it does to build cultural bridges between the United States and Israel.

This is the first program for Jewish Disability Awareness Month. The following Monday, Feb. 9, Brown University’s Artists and Scientists as Partners program will host Elaine Hall and screen “Autism: The Musical,” in which Elaine stars. Two Israeli short films and a panel discussion will take place on Monday, Feb. 23. All programs will take place at 7 p.m. in the Social Hall of the Dwares JCC, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence .

LARRY KATZ is director of Jewish Life and Learning at the Jewish Alliance.