Gershman Y Takes Feminist Look at The Book of Esther

On Sunday, February 22, The Gershman Y takes a feminist look at the Bible when they present "The Book of Esther: The Journey of Queen Vashti and Queen Esther." This full-length contemporary dance work by New York City's acclaimed Ariel Rivka Dance company explores the stories of Queen Vashti and Queen Esther.

Artistic Director Ariel Grossman applies her classical movement style to uncover and reinterpret the characters of the Purim narrative with an all-female cast. With an original score by David Homan, "The Book of Esther" brings to life two stories that epitomize the Jewish tradition of community, collaboration, and support. There will be a cast talkback with the audience following the performance. T

"The Book of Esther: The Journey of Queen Vashti and Queen Esther" looks at the Biblical story of Purim through a lens of feminism and women's empowerment. In Jewish tradition, Vashti is the wife of King Ahasuerus, who later married Esther. Bravely defying the ancient tradition of wifely obedience, Vashti was discarded because she refused to dance at the King's drunken ball, and so has become a feminist icon.

Vashti is seen as a courageous forerunner of feminism, and as a woman who chooses to value her dignity above all else. Ariel Rivka Dance's vision of the story is self-contained, with the narrative played out as a series of women's dances in which both the beauty of the feminine spirit and the solidarity of sisterhood are celebrated in courtly movement and ritualistic gestures.

Founded in 2008, Ariel Rivka Dance is a contemporary ballet company based in New York City committed to creating work that explores raw emotion in the context of strong technique and form. Led by married team Artistic Director/Choreographer Ariel Grossman and Executive Director/Composer David Homan, the company uses movement to expose, intrigue, and inspire the audience and collaborators.

Ariel Rivka Dance has performed at Saratoga ArtsFest, Greenspace Blooms Festival, and the Children's Museum of Manhattan. The recipient of a Lower Manhattan Cultural Council grant, Ariel Rivka Dance was awarded a residency at MANA Contemporary through Armitage Gone! Dance.

The Gershman Y is a vibrant arts and culture center located in Center City Philadelphia on the Avenue of the Arts. The Gershman Y's mission is to be an urban community center informed by Jewish values that presents a broad array of arts, culture, and educational experiences for curious individuals of all ages. Committed to sharing the diversity and breadth of the Jewish experience, The Gershman Y welcomes people of all ethnic backgrounds and religious affiliations to explore, participate, and contribute to our rich roster of Jewish arts and cultural programs and community initiatives.

"The Book of Esther: The Journey of Queen Vashti and Queen Esther" will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, February 22 at the Gershman Y, 401 South Broad Street in Philadelphia. Tickets at $20 Adult, $15 Student, and $10 Children. For information or tickets, call 215-545-4400 or visit GershmanY.org