Last night at the Marlene Meyerson JCC in Manhattan was empowering, thought provoking, and I’d like to thank them for their hospitality.
Congratulations to Ruth Franklin for the release of her excellent new book, The Many Lives of Anne Frank. When I read it I felt like she was debating with the readers where to take things next. There’s info about Anne I never knew, there’s a big chunk that lovers of Broadway history will appreciate, and as a writer and a creative, I loved hearing more about Anne’s process when she revisited the diary to prepare it for potential readership, as well as everything that involved future adaptations.
There are multiple “interludes” that tell the story of other people who Anne touched, and how it manifested in their lives. I’m honored that The Book of Ruth was the subject of one of these interludes.
Many thanks to Dani Shapiro whose love and respect for both Ruth’s work and mine was evident. I absolutely loved all the questions she asked, and our conversation. I read some of her work and I can’t recommend it enough. I know a lot of people know her for her memoirs, but I like to put out there that Signal Fires, her most recent novel, is wonderful and resonated with me on many levels.
I’m also grateful that our last minute special addition, Tovah Feldshuh, worked out, to the delight of everyone in the audience. It’s always better to talk about The Book of Ruth when the leading lady is also there to share her experience from the shoot, and the impact that the film still seems to have.
Thank you for all the familiar faces, and for sending me pictures and videos, and thanks to everyone who attended and asked us wonderful questions.
