SPARKLING ON THE RED CARPET — Eliana Schuster may have received the best Bat Mitzvah present ever from her uncle, Michael Lawson. Lawson is a publicist in the movie industry and a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. As her Bat Mitzvah gift, Uncle Michael took Eliana to the Oscars earlier this month. The Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy eighth-grader got to miss a couple of days of school to spend the weekend in Los Angeles and attend the Sunday ceremony that most of us will only ever see on TV. Wearing a beautiful eggplant purple dress, she got to hang out on the red carpet (getting there about 3 p.m. Pacific time) and met actor Zac Efron. Eliana, who became a Bat Mitzvah at The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah on Sept. 21, 2013, said the whole day at the Oscars was something she couldn’t imagine ahead of time, it was so crazy. “It was really, really fun and exciting and an amazing experience.”
“FOLLIES” AT THE BARN — Not one but two members of the Jewish community — Ruth Baum Bigus and Ray Zarr —will perform in Stephen Sondheim’s musical “Follies,” opening Friday, April 18, at The Barn Players in Mission. The production runs through May 4. The musical has won eight Tony Awards and tells the story of a reunion of past performers from “Weismann’s Follies,” held in a crumbling Broadway theater about to be torn down and features the music that won our hearts between the World Wars. “Follies” is considered one of Sondheim’s finest musicals with songs including such Broadway classics as: “Broadway Baby,” “I’m Still Here,” “Losing My Mind,” “Rain On The Roof,” “Beautiful Girls,” “Could I leave You?,” “One More Kiss” and a host of others. Tickets may be purchased on the theater website, www.thebarnplayers.org, by calling 1-800-838-3006, or at the box office the date of the performance; discounts for seniors and students.
MODEL MATZAH BAKERY ON TAP — Have you ever baked matzah before? You can have your chance to try baking this ancient food called “bread of faith” by the Kabbalists at Torah Learning Center’s Model Matzah Bakery. The event takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 6. Folks young and old can stop by to learn the art of making round, hand-made shmurah matzah. Participants will bake their own matzah, plus learn all about the laws, history and facts of this ancient Passover food. This free event includes a video presentation as well as crafts for the kids. Displays will feature both a Seder table and Haggadahs. Kosher-for-Passover matzah will be available for purchase plus afikomen gift items will also be on sale. TLC is located at 8800 W 103rd St., Overland Park, KS 66212. Call 913-385-5770 for more information or visit www.torahkc.org to RSVP online.
