Avery Saltzman is recognized across Canada for his work on TV and in the theatre, including his roles in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Sunset Boulevard, Man Of La Mancha, The Pajama Game and Little Shop Of Horrors.
When I spoke to him by phone at his office at Yonge and Eglinton in Toronto, Saltzman seemed quite excitable and chipper for a man who has been putting in long hours for the last few weeks, both at the theatre, and at the office.
His new venture, which he calls his “mid-life crisis job” is as one of the Artistic Directors of the Harold Green Jewish Theatre, which recently opened its first production – Martin Sherman’s Rose, starring veteran actor Lally Cadeau, and helmed by acclaimed director Diana LeBlanc. The reviews were unanimously strong, calling Cadeau’s performance “a knock out”, and the play has been selling strong. Has the quick success of the company come as a shock to Saltzman? It doesn’t seem so.
The idea for this company came about after Saltzman had lunch with his long time friend, David Eisner, and after Eisner attended a reunion of past staff at the Leah Posluns Theatre. They both realized that there was a niche market for the theatre that they wanted to create – a non-profit company that dealt with stories about Judaism. That was May of 2006, and they ran into the venture with full force, gathering a board Of directors, and beginning the search for sponsors.
It was a difficult process, but Saltzman and Eisner believed in their vision, and knew that there were generous supporters who would support the idea – they just had to find them – and find them, they did. Donations started coming in, and work began on finding the perfect first show for their first season. Both Eisner and Saltzman agreed that the show should be Rose.
Two years of work and countless hours culminated in their inaugural production, and Saltzman is thrilled with the response. Yet with all of the critical success they have received thus far, they do not take it for granted. They know that they must maintain their high level of professional theatre that will attract not only from the large Jewish community in Toronto, but from school groups and the Toronto theatre audience in general. With that in mind, they’ve already begun work on an ambitious second season, including the play Kinder Transport and Tuesdays With Morrie, which is based on the best-selling book by Mitch Albom. Prior to that though, they conclude their first season with Wendy Wasserstein’s The Sisters Rosensweig, which will star Rosemary Dunsmore, Sarah Dodd and Richard Greenblatt, at the Jane Mallett Theatre.
What does the future hold for Saltzman and the Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company? His dream is to have their own theatrical home in Toronto. They will also be striving to continue to provide entertaining and enlightening theatre to audiences of all ages, and from every walk of life. With Saltzman and Eisner at the helm, they are sure to delight their audiences for many, many years to come.
Rose, starring Lally Cadeau, continues until March 29, 2008, at the Jane Mallett Theatre. For ticket and show information, click on the Harold Green Jewish Theatre Website.
, starring Rosemary Dunsmore, begins performances on June 7, 2008 at the Jane Mallett Theatre.
The Sisters Rosensweig
