Mark the calendars for March 2008 when Toronto's first Jewish Theatre kicks off a full season of world-class productions and concerts celebrating Jewish culture

(TORONTO November 20, 2007) - Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company (HGJT), a newly created professional theatre organization founded and led by Co-Artistic Directors David Eisner and Avery Saltzman, announced today the launch of its inaugural 2008 Season with the Toronto premiere of Rose, written by award-winning playwright, Martin Sherman, directed by Diana Leblanc and starring venerable actress Lally Cadeau.

Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company is a new initiative, the only not-for-profit professional Jewish theatre organization of its kind in Toronto. It's been established to celebrate, illuminate and share Jewish culture through the creative arts and present outstanding theatre experiences to audiences of all backgrounds.

"We feel Toronto is ready for a world-class Jewish theatre company, and we want to present Toronto audiences with productions that tell our story with a universal message," said co-artistic director David Eisner.

"The encouragement and support we've received from the Toronto theatre community has been overwhelming," said co-artistic director Avery Saltzman. "We'd like to thank all our supporters, especially the Harold Green family for helping bring this initiative to reality."

Miriam Green, Harold Green's wife commented, "A good theatrical production holds life up for examination and attempts to improve it." She added, "this was Harold's goal in his chosen field and we know it would give him great pleasure to do the same for his theatre goers."

HGJT will launch its inaugural season on February 29, 2008, with the award-winning play written by masterful and outspoken playwright Martin Sherman (Bent, Rio, Messiah) about one woman's account of some of the most tumultuous events of the 20th century, including the Russian shtetl, the Warsaw ghetto, the doomed refugee ship Exodus, and the fading glitz of post-war Atlantic City. "Rose" is a poetic and brilliant portrait of courage tinged with aching, ironic humour as told by an 80-year-old Jewish woman.

Previous productions of "Rose" have played to audience acclaim at the National Theatre in London, England, throughout the U.S. and Montreal. In 2000, the production garnered an Olivier Award nomination for Best New Play. HGJT will present "Rose" this spring to Toronto audiences starting February 29, March 29, 2008, at the newly renovated Jane Mallett Theatre, St. Lawrence Centre, which will be the home of HGJT's 2008 Season.

"Rose" marks the first of two productions presented by HGJT. The next play, "The Sisters Rosensweig," a comedy by Wendy Wasserstein, is slated to open in June 2008. HGJT's second season will include three plays, one Yiddish production and two musical events.

For more information about the Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company visit www.hgjewishtheatre.com. Tickets are now on sale at the St. Lawrence Centre box office 416-366-7723 and through www.hgjewishtheatre.com.

Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company (HGJT) is Toronto's only not-for-profit Jewish theatre organization, launched in October 2006 by co-founders David Eisner and Avery Saltzman. HGJT's vision is to illuminate humanity through a Jewish perspective, celebrating and preserving Jewish culture by inviting artists and audiences to participate in live theatre. Alongside performance, HGJT's mandate includes cross-cultural educational outreach programs for Jewish and non-Jewish youth. HGJT resides at the newly renovated Jane Mallett Theatre, St. Lawrence Centre and launches its inaugural season in March 2008.

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