UB is honored to have many talented and respected professionals as professors. One very worthy example is Saul Elkin, whose devotion to education and theater is inspiring.
A veteran in the fields of acting and directing, Elkin - a distinguished service professor and the current interim chair of the theater department - is making good use of his talent in his Jewish Reparatory Theater's production of "Visiting Mr. Green."
The play is the second production of the new theater company's first season, which was inaugurated with December's "The Chosen." "Visiting Mr. Green" opens its run on Thursday at the Main Street Cabaret. Elkin plays the title role alongside Chris Kelly in the two-character play.
Directed by Natalie Bocock-Natale and written by Jeff Buvon, the humorous play is based on the relationship formed between an elderly Orthodox Jew, Mr. Green (Elkin), and a homosexual businessman, Ross (Kelly). Due to court order, Ross must visit Green every Thursday as punishment for nearly having run Green over with his car. Although neither man is initially interested in these weekly meetings, their relationship grows into one that impacts their lives.
Elkin described the characters as "minorities who are persecuted that somehow find strength in each other." He also said "It also touches a lot of issues that are very current."
"(It) entertains and teaches a lesson in human relations," said Elkin.
In addition to his work on this play, his teaching career and his service as artistic director of Shakespeare in the Park, Elkin also helped to create the company. The idea was set into motion with the help of businessman David Bunis and gained support from the Jewish Community Center, which also supplies partial funding for the company. With 500 subscribers for their first season, The Jewish Reparatory Theater has begun with success and has two plays scheduled for the upcoming season.
"Jewish people have always played a key role in American theatre," says Elkin. "This would be a way to share Jewish culture with the community."
For Elkin, who is Jewish, the creation of a Jewish theater company has always been on his mind.
Elkin's ideal play material would be that which has the ability to "transcend religion or the immediate issue of Jewish religion."
"We want to touch people whether they are Jewish or not," he said.
Acting in a Jewish play and creating a Jewish theater company also touches Elkin on a personal level.
"It's a great thing for me because it's an opportunity to return to these roots," says Elkin, remembering his first experience in a Jewish theater in New York City.
A professor at UB for 34 years, Elkin feels privileged to be able to lead the lives of teacher, actor and director.
"I live this life by day. The opportunity to have the career as an actor and director is very satisfying for me. I am thrilled to have this kind of opportunity to act and direct in plays that are saying something important," he said.
For one who desires a glimpse of the hard-working man, one need not look far. Elkin can be seen onstage in "Visiting Mr. Green" through May 23. Tickets available by phone at 688-4114 x319. Elkin can next be seen as Falstaff in "Henry IV" this summer at Shakespeare in the Park.
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
