HOLLYWOOD, CA — As the tops of moon-illuminated palm trees blended with the bright camera lights to cast the typical glow of a Hollywood movie premiere on the streets outside, the stars of “A Light for Greytowers” and their guests sauntered across the red carpet and into the Sherry Lansing Theater on Paramount Studio's lot. But this was no typical premiere: Those who filled the 280 seats inside were all women and were all dressed in keeping with Jewish strictures on modesty.
New Movie With Distinctly Jewish Message Challenges Hollywood
HOLLYWOOD, CA — As the tops of moon-illuminated palm trees blended with the bright camera lights to cast the typical glow of a Hollywood movie premiere on the streets outside, the stars of “A Light for Greytowers” and their guests sauntered across the red carpet and into the Sherry Lansing Theater on Paramount Studio’s lot. But this was no typical premiere: Those who filled the 280 seats inside were all women and were all dressed in keeping with Jewish strictures on modesty.
Almost everything about the movie challenges accepted notions about Hollywood these days. And while the film was produced and directed by an industry professional ñ Robin Garbose’s other credits includes a string of off-Broadway plays and performances at the Julliard School of Drama, and the “Head of the Class” and “America’s Most Wanted” television shows ñ one key element of its expected distribution runs fully against the grain of the entertainment business: A full half of all Americans will never see the movie, because Garbose, citing provisions in Jewish law that prevent women from singing in front of men, is limiting the musical’s run to all-female audiences.
The film’s young actresses won’t have it any other way. Nearly all of whom are alumni of the Kol Neshama Performing Arts Conservatory in Los Angeles, which Garbose created eight years ago to provide professional artistic training and performance opportunities for Jewish girls in a Torah-observant setting.
Bracha Leeds, co-director of the Chabad Jewish Student Center at the University of California at Berkeley, was hired as choreographer for the film and ended up filling an opening in the cast.
CZ
Not that I’m trying to raise a ruckus or anything, and I understand that this is really wonderful, etc, but when I was in Yeshiva my Mashpia told me that the Friedriker Rebbe once said that the Tumah of a movie theater extends out under the marquee, which is why many Lubavitchers will move onto the street, etc, in order to avoid passing under. Presumably there is great Tumah in movie theatres. Is there no better place to screen this production?
ANONYMOUS
ARE THEY COMING TO NEW YORK?
i wanna watch it!
is there a way we can watch the movie?
fan
Mazol Tov Robin! It was such a succes!!
your (former) students
wow mrs.leeds!!!! you really made it big- brhs must’ve looked really good on your resume!!! we are so proud of you!! we miss you tons!!!
luv it!
they already showed it in ny about a month and a half ago. it was great!
Robin Garbose
From Robin Garbose
Dear CZ,
The movie did not premiere at a commercial movie theatre. The Sherry Lansing is a beautiful screening room on the lot of Paramount Studios– no immodest posters and no non-kosher food, surrounded by the high walls of Paramount once guests pass through security at the front gate. In fact, Bikur Cholim has had events there, probably because it’s also in the heart of L.A.’s Hancock Park neighborhood. Our intention is to screen A Light for Greytowers at venues where frum people feel comfortable, venues that also are appropriate for such a film. Hope to see you at a screening– if you’re female, that is!
would love to see it
Will you be coming back to New York?
A fan of the book
Will you be releasing it on DVD for those of us who live in areas where there won’t be a screening?
faiga fan
i hope “faiga finds the way” is next!
Bothered
How come the author of the original play and book (Eva Vogiel) is not mentioned in the article?
Robin Garbose
We hope to be in New York with the film in early February, IY”H. We are not releasing it on DVD. However, we plan to have multiple screenings worldwide with many planned for New York. We will keep you posted!
mendel CH T.O
amazing!
i remember reading the book and thinking it can defeintly make a movie!
BTW, if speilberg is still reading, there is an aming book called “the broken braclet” that would make a great movie!
haha
KOSHER Movies
As to the question of the Tumah
at theaters, I would think that
would apply if the movies were
tumah. But what if the theater was
didicated to showing only films
that meet our standards?
I heard that the Steipler Gaon
spoke against boys playing with
dolls; for obvious reasons. But,
what about a doll made for boys
(e.g. “GI JOE” – you know, man in
military outfit- and the like)?
great!
I thinks it’s fantastic that frum girls
can have a chance to shine with all
their wonderful talents in a Torah
environment. I saw the movie.
It’s great! and has alot of Toichen.
Itty B
Wow! Mazel Tov to you! It’s good i saw this article…can’t believe it’s finally out- well if u show it in Israel @ some point during this year make sure to let us know…all ur BMniks in sem…So excited! Lights…Camera…Action….memories lol
a bnos menachem student
wow robin,i remember when u made the play “roots” for us and u were saying this was coming out…..cant believe almost 3 yrs passed since then and we can finally watch it!cant wait to see it in n.y.!
wow
wow i wonder if bais rivkah is gonna let us go to the theater to watch this one.
Another former student
To your (former) students:
Mrs. Leeds came to Bais Rivkah AFTER performing in the musical — that’s also one reason I chose to be in her class :) (After hearing the song on the Lag Baomer cruise…)
Robin Garbose:
Is there going to be a screening in Israel? All of Mrs. Leeds’ former students in sem are really itching to see it…
Robin Garbose
Thank you for all your good wishes! We can’t wait to see everyone at screenings in New York and Israel and England soon, IY”H!
See it!
to wow:
You don’t have to neccesarily be in a theater to watch this moveie. Its
first screening was in November at
Stern College for frum girls in
Manhattan and it was lovely.
See it! you’ll love it!
Larry Wilson
IF you get a good distribution deal, I’ll bet men are
suddenly allowed to see it. Right?
Robin Garbose
A Light for Greytowers will be premiering in Crown Heights, Motzei Shabbos, 2/2 at the Jewish Children’s Museum at 8 and 10, IY”H! Also, on Sunday, 2/3 in Manhattan at Stern College’s Schottenstein Cultual Center at Noon and 2:30. I will be hosting Q and A’s at all 4 screenings! Pre-purchase tix at kolneshama.org. Look forward to seeing you there!
Leah
To Larry Wilson:
only when Moshiach comes.
jayjay
i went to see it in atlanta today and it was fabulous! there were men there and Mrs. Garbose did an amazing job explaining to them why they really shouldn’t have come. i hope i get to go to the camp this summer!
pavithra
Hi,
Guys, Almost everything about the movie challenges accepted notions about Hollywood these days.
Bye….