Lessons by Wendy Graf. Bema Productions April 12-22, 2018. A review.

Lessons by Wendy Graf. Bema Productions April 12-22, 2018. A review. Bema Productions does it again with the nuanced production of Lessons by Wendy Graf (performed in the most appropriate 153 year old heritage synagogue Temple Emanu-El April 12-22, 2018). Now in their fourth season, Bema has come to be known for insightful renderings of scripts that on the surface appear simple—it is director Zelda Dean’s single biggest gift—to find the … [Read more...]

The Prisoner of Second Avenue by Bema Productions January 7-28 2018. A review.

The Prisoner of Second Avenue by Bema Productions January 7-28 2018. A review. Now in their fourth season, and operating from the community space, turned black box theatre, at Congregation Emanu-El, Bema Productions continues to impress with their insightful interpretations of classic and often little-known comedies, beginning 2018 with The Prisoner of Second Avenue (playing Saturdays and Sundays January 7-28). Artistic director Zelda Dean … [Read more...]

Dispatches from the Victoria Fringe 2017 Day One

Dispatches from the Victoria Fringe 2017 Day One Thanks to Bema Productions, I was able to attend a dress rehearsal of Horowitz and Mrs Washington.  On Day One, applying the scheduling theory of my long-time fringing buddy Arlene, I chose a venue—Fairfield Hall—and attended all the performances there.  The evening included three world premieres—Inauguration Vacation by Annette Roman, timely and topical storytelling from the life of a political … [Read more...]

Horowitz and Mrs Washington by Bema Productions. Victoria Fringe 2017. An interview.

Horowitz and Mrs Washington by Bema Productions. Victoria Fringe 2017. An interview.   Bema Productions, winners of Best Drama at the 2016 Victoria Fringe for Old Ladies Survival Guide return with another human drama. How long have you been producing work on the Fringe circuit?  As an artist/company? Hard to believe I presented a one-woman show in the very first Victoria Fringe Festival.  Guess that makes me really … [Read more...]

From Door to Door by Bema Productions January 14-22 2017. A review.

From Door to Door by Bema Productions January 14-22 2017. A review. Deeply human and leavened with ample doses of wry humour, From Door to Door, produced by Bema Productions and currently at Congregation Emanu-El until January 22nd, is a fine example of love and gentle conflict spanning three generations. Written by James Sherman as a tribute to his mother, From Door to Door focuses on the lives of three Jewish women in Chicago, from the 1930s … [Read more...]

Bema Productions 2016-2017 season

Bema Productions 2016-2017 season Bema Productions was founded by Zelda Dean, a recent transplant to Victoria with a long history of theatre in Calgary, as part of Congregation Emanu-El’s 2013 arts festival.  B?ma has strong ties to the local Jewish community, producing many of their shows in the Congregation Emanu-El community hall cum black-box theatre. In a relatively short period of time Bema has garnered critical acclaim for their work … [Read more...]

Dispatches from the Victoria Fringe 2016. Day One.

Dispatches from the Victoria Fringe 2016. Day One. Victoria Fringe Festival August 22-September 4, 2016. Review of The Old Lady's Guide to Survival: Site A--Congregational Emanu-el, 1461 Blanshard Street. Reviews of The Jupiter Rebellion: A Zach Zultana Adventure by Jeff Leard, An Improvised Quentin Tarantino 2--The Playful 8 by Paper Street Theatre Co, Perpetural Wednesday by White Collar Crimes and Half the Battle by Owen Bishop.  All at … [Read more...]

The Old Lady’s Guide to Survival at the Victoria Fringe Festival 2016. Interview with director Zelda Dean.

The Old Lady’s Guide to Survival at the Victoria Fringe Festival 2016. Interview with director Zelda Dean. How long have you been producing work on the Fringe circuit?  As an artist/company? This is the second year for Bema Productions to be a part of the Victoria Fringe Festival.  We had so much fun last year playing to almost full houses with The Best Meal You Ever Ate and we are expecting an equal success this year. I personally was … [Read more...]

17 Stories by Bema Productions November 29/30 in Victoria BC

17 Stories by Bema Productions November 29/20 in Victoria BC at Congregation Emanu-El Synagoge. Life is full of small happenstances.  I would not have known about Victoria's newest theatre company, Bema Productions, if I hadn't stopped to chat after RKO Productions' Rocky Horror Show.  Little did I know that Jessica Van der Veen, who I knew more for her political forays, was an actor. Following the great success of the arts festival celebrating … [Read more...]