Bernard Malamud – Tales of the City

Bald Mountain Theater presents Bernard Malamud- Tales of the City. Called the Chekhov of American writers, the short story author of “The Natural” (made famous by the film starring Robert Redford) captured the passion and diversity of mid-century New York City. Master reader Ethan Bowen and his stable of talented actors bring these stories to life, with jazzy and klezmer live music to envelop audiences in the sounds and energy of the city. BMT presents classics such as “Black is My Favorite Color” and “A Summer’s Reading”, stories for ages 12 and up dealing with themes of identity, race, love, and deceit in the heat of a New York City summer.

Director and story curator Ethan Bowen says, “Bernard Malamud captures the rawness and lyricism of working class, hard-scrabble people and is a master of the little moment, when a character subtly shifts irrevocably.  There is a crude innocence and sincerity to the wonderful personalities in these stories. This show is an examination of life in the context of all-American summertime and dreams being fulfilled or unfulfilled.”

Proudly highlighting some of this region’s phenomenal talent, Jeanie Levitan, Amy C. Braun, Tara Race, Burma Cassidy, Killian White, Robert Melik Finkle, and Jeff Tolbert appeared as guest performers for one of the stories being showcased. They brought to life a New York City diner buzzing with tragedy and romance in “A Steady Customer.” Jazz improvisation was sprinkled throughout the production by Justine Calnan Cavacas on clarinet and Killian White on saxophone.

Production History:

Spice Studio, July 2018