Title - “Oy Father”
The musical love story of a Jewish woman Cantor and a Catholic Priest
with
Irene Failenbogen
Bill McBride
Directed by Rhonda Carol
Date – Sunday, May 7, at 3:00 PM
Location – Brookville Church Sanctuary
2 Brookville Road
Glen Head, NY 11576
For reservations - 516-626-0414
Tickets - $25
Website - www.brookvillechurch.org
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Prologue: Interesting anecdote about the story
Bill McBride’s mother was a writer for comedienne Phyllis Diller, also a friend of the family. When Ms Diller phoned the family one day, Bill answered and the following conversation ensued:
Phyllis: How are you doing Bill?
Bill: I married a Jewish Cantor and I left the priesthood.
Phyllis: It sounds like a mess.
Bill: Phyllis, it's the stuff of which great comedy is made.
Synopsis – “Oy Father” is the musical love story of a Jewish woman Cantor and a Catholic Priest. A true story written by former Catholic priest Bill McBride and based on the book that he is in the process of writing about the choices he had to make in leaving the priesthood after falling in love with his wife, Argentinian born Cantor Irene Failenbogen. McBride first met Irene when he was taking singing lessons from her in order to develop his talents before travelling to Taiwan as a priest to work with Taiwanese artists.
It is performed by Bill McBride and Irene Failenbogen as themselves and directed by Rhonda Carol. The production includes a program of moving, uplifting songs running the gamut from original compositions by Irene in English, Spanish and Hebrew to standards and duets as the couple sings in tandem. The story is a deeply woven revelation of their experience told honestly and directly to the audience touching on the trials of their union and also the very comedic elements of their relationship as ‘Cantor and Priest’.
“Oy Father” can be seen at the Brookville Church Sanctuary Sunday, May 7 at 3:00 PM. Money raised will go toward supporting the Brookville Multifaith Campus, dedicated to promoting peace and understanding across religious lines. Silent auction items will be available in Fellowship Hall before the performance and during intermission.
Contact Brookville Church for tickets: 516-626-0414
Website – www.brookvillechurch.org
Brookville Church Mission Statement: “Brookville Church is a welcoming, friendly and heartfelt community who follows the teachings of Jesus; a message of love, acceptance, healing and hope. We affirm that all people are beloved children of God and therefore embrace any age, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, economic status, marital status, family configuration, physical or mental ability or education, and invite the full inclusion of all people into the life and ministries of Brookville Church. We believe diversity enriches our journey together in faith and propels us to an ever expanding understanding and experience of God.” P. 1 of 2
Irene Failenbogen - Irene has been singing professionally since her debut in a critically-acclaimed role in the Argentinian National Theatre production of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and “Dracula”. She has a degree in Body Expression from the National School of Dance in Buenos Aires. Irene has established a career as an Argentinian-Jewish singer-songwriter and continues to perform as Cantor for the New Synagogue of Long Island in Brookville. She has worked with Zalman Mlotik, the famed Yiddish director, and Shifra Lerer (famous for her roles as Woody Allen¹s "Jewish" grandmother) in a production called, "The Argentina Extravaganza " among others. Irene also has produced several CD’s.
Bill McBride - A native of Wisconsin, Bill McBride tells his story in a style reminiscent of storyteller –humorist Garrison Keillor (of Minnesota). He was a member of the Park Place Storytelling Guild in Wisconsin and he also studied acting at NYU. He was a Catholic priest for 16 years. During his priesthood, he co-founded the Jewish-Christian Dialogue and taught Bible and Literature with interfaith legend, Sister Marie Stephen Reges , at Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin. With Irene, he started the International Arts Mission with a performance of the “Olympic Celebration of the Arts” during the 1996 Olympic Games. He is currently co-director with Irene of the Religious Education Program for the Interfaith Community at the Multi-faith Campus in Brookville.
Rhonda Carol - Director Rhonda Carol, founder of Calliope Fitness and Arts and Artistic Director of Theatre on the Pier, trained in acting at Guildford School of Acting, England receiving a Post Graduate Degree, completed her BA in English Literature and holds an MFA Degree in Theatre from Sarah Lawrence College. She also received conservatory training abroad in Dance at the renowned Laban (Trinity) Conservatoire, London, England, and has worked Off-Broadway and internationally as a choreographer, dancer, director and actor performing various leading roles in Ibsen, Chekhov, Pinter, the Greek classics and others. Some notable productions include "Dancing at Lughnasa" at Theatre-in-the-Park, NY, which she directed, and (AD) Richard Trent's film project "The Piano Teacher" Film Export, Prague.
The musical love story of a Jewish woman Cantor and a Catholic Priest
with
Irene Failenbogen
Bill McBride
Directed by Rhonda Carol
Date – Sunday, May 7, at 3:00 PM
Location – Brookville Church Sanctuary
2 Brookville Road
Glen Head, NY 11576
For reservations - 516-626-0414
Tickets - $25
Website - www.brookvillechurch.org
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Prologue: Interesting anecdote about the story
Bill McBride’s mother was a writer for comedienne Phyllis Diller, also a friend of the family. When Ms Diller phoned the family one day, Bill answered and the following conversation ensued:
Phyllis: How are you doing Bill?
Bill: I married a Jewish Cantor and I left the priesthood.
Phyllis: It sounds like a mess.
Bill: Phyllis, it's the stuff of which great comedy is made.
Synopsis – “Oy Father” is the musical love story of a Jewish woman Cantor and a Catholic Priest. A true story written by former Catholic priest Bill McBride and based on the book that he is in the process of writing about the choices he had to make in leaving the priesthood after falling in love with his wife, Argentinian born Cantor Irene Failenbogen. McBride first met Irene when he was taking singing lessons from her in order to develop his talents before travelling to Taiwan as a priest to work with Taiwanese artists.
It is performed by Bill McBride and Irene Failenbogen as themselves and directed by Rhonda Carol. The production includes a program of moving, uplifting songs running the gamut from original compositions by Irene in English, Spanish and Hebrew to standards and duets as the couple sings in tandem. The story is a deeply woven revelation of their experience told honestly and directly to the audience touching on the trials of their union and also the very comedic elements of their relationship as ‘Cantor and Priest’.
“Oy Father” can be seen at the Brookville Church Sanctuary Sunday, May 7 at 3:00 PM. Money raised will go toward supporting the Brookville Multifaith Campus, dedicated to promoting peace and understanding across religious lines. Silent auction items will be available in Fellowship Hall before the performance and during intermission.
Contact Brookville Church for tickets: 516-626-0414
Website – www.brookvillechurch.org
Brookville Church Mission Statement: “Brookville Church is a welcoming, friendly and heartfelt community who follows the teachings of Jesus; a message of love, acceptance, healing and hope. We affirm that all people are beloved children of God and therefore embrace any age, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, economic status, marital status, family configuration, physical or mental ability or education, and invite the full inclusion of all people into the life and ministries of Brookville Church. We believe diversity enriches our journey together in faith and propels us to an ever expanding understanding and experience of God.” P. 1 of 2
Irene Failenbogen - Irene has been singing professionally since her debut in a critically-acclaimed role in the Argentinian National Theatre production of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and “Dracula”. She has a degree in Body Expression from the National School of Dance in Buenos Aires. Irene has established a career as an Argentinian-Jewish singer-songwriter and continues to perform as Cantor for the New Synagogue of Long Island in Brookville. She has worked with Zalman Mlotik, the famed Yiddish director, and Shifra Lerer (famous for her roles as Woody Allen¹s "Jewish" grandmother) in a production called, "The Argentina Extravaganza " among others. Irene also has produced several CD’s.
Bill McBride - A native of Wisconsin, Bill McBride tells his story in a style reminiscent of storyteller –humorist Garrison Keillor (of Minnesota). He was a member of the Park Place Storytelling Guild in Wisconsin and he also studied acting at NYU. He was a Catholic priest for 16 years. During his priesthood, he co-founded the Jewish-Christian Dialogue and taught Bible and Literature with interfaith legend, Sister Marie Stephen Reges , at Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin. With Irene, he started the International Arts Mission with a performance of the “Olympic Celebration of the Arts” during the 1996 Olympic Games. He is currently co-director with Irene of the Religious Education Program for the Interfaith Community at the Multi-faith Campus in Brookville.
Rhonda Carol - Director Rhonda Carol, founder of Calliope Fitness and Arts and Artistic Director of Theatre on the Pier, trained in acting at Guildford School of Acting, England receiving a Post Graduate Degree, completed her BA in English Literature and holds an MFA Degree in Theatre from Sarah Lawrence College. She also received conservatory training abroad in Dance at the renowned Laban (Trinity) Conservatoire, London, England, and has worked Off-Broadway and internationally as a choreographer, dancer, director and actor performing various leading roles in Ibsen, Chekhov, Pinter, the Greek classics and others. Some notable productions include "Dancing at Lughnasa" at Theatre-in-the-Park, NY, which she directed, and (AD) Richard Trent's film project "The Piano Teacher" Film Export, Prague.