By Judi Hunter, Lakewood
Jeffrey Smith brought such power and passion to the character of Asher Lev, making the play even more poignant knowing of the recent death of Marcus Walker, the managing artistic director of the Lakewood Playhouse for the last 10 years. The supporting cast played multiple roles and were brilliant in the portrayal of Lev’s turmoil between his gift and his heredity in the Jewish faith.
The torment of not being accepted by his father and of finally realizing the painful position his mother endured trying to balance the relationship of the two, loving them both, brought goose-bumps in the insinuated portrayal of her character being hung on a cross above the two men positioned in defiance on the ground beneath.
I can see why this play was so profound to Marcus in his desire to direct it in spite of his fatal illness. Lakewood has lost a treasure and he will be missed greatly.
Editor’s Note: My Name is Asher Lev runs through March 20.