Theater Review: "Pangs of the Messiah" Eviction Before Salvation in Isreal

THE NEW YORK TIMES
By Catherine Rampell

Max Wolkowitz in "Pangs of the Messiah."

NEW YORK -- To whom does the West Bank belong? “Pangs of the Messiah,” a 1986 drama by the Israeli playwright and screenwriter Motti Lerner, asks every possible permutation of this question. But the play does make one striking creative choice. While art promoting nonviolence often encourages compassion for the enemy, “Pangs of the Messiah” never shows us any Palestinian grief. Palestinian characters are completely absent from this story, even though we hear newscasts coldly announcing their deaths. Instead Mr. Lerner emphasizes the more selfish reason Jewish people should have for promoting peace: that violence against Arabs will instigate more violence against — and worse, among — Jews. “Pangs of the Messiah” continues through Nov. 20 at the Theater at the 14th Street Y, 344 East 14th Street, East Village; (212) 352-3101, untitledtheater.com. [link]