Brilliant Production of 'Waiting for Godot' Inaugurates New Theatre at EABJM

PARIS -- Ecole Active Bilingue Jeannine Manuel, the largest non-denominational independent school in France, has opened a new theatre on its main campus in Paris in the 15th arrondisement. The inaugural performance is Samuel Beckett’s tragicomedy of Waiting for Godot. Directed and played by the Charnal House Theatre Company of New York City, this production is perfect for the current economic environment, as it emphasizes the life-affirming, humorous parts of the play. If you have previously read or seen this play and could not relate to it, this production by Charnal House will change your attitude about this piece of literature. This production kept the existential doubt intact, while projecting a sense of optimism that ultimately humanity will both endure and prevail. It is definitely worth an investment of two hours of your time.

Beckett’s Waiting for Godot is admittedly and purposely a circular, existential foray into the inner meaning of human existence. One never needs to worry about revealing too much of the plot in reviewing it, as it has been described as a play where nothing happens twice. Yet just as Shakespeare opined that there can be “matter and impertinency mixed, reason in madness,” Waiting for Godot has ample method in its madness. Throughout the course of the play as we watch two vagabonds waiting for the elusive Godot, we are confronted with the most penetrating questions regarding humanity and our tenure on this planet. The dialogue alternates between direct hits on our funny bones and raw nerves. So many literary symbols and metaphors jump out of the text that they, along with the characters, ultimately end up in a metaphysical heap on the stage.

Although some performances of Waiting for Godot can sometimes seem to drag on, this production by Charnal House kept the audience riveted by emphasizing the light-hearted as well as the thought-provoking aspects of Beckett’s writing. During the monologue at the end by David Zéboulon’s Vladimir, one could have heard a pin drop. The result was an existential morality play that actually inspired hope. The interpretation was also classical, exemplified by the actors striking poses reminiscent of famous French sculptures such as Rodin’s Le Penseur (The Thinker). There were many touching moments made all the more moving by the depth of the performances by the actors. Existential doubt has never been so funny or so poignant. David Zéboulon’s singing and dancing skills added greatly to the performance, and both he and Jesse Liebman’s Estragon captured the essence of their characters. They were excellent at creating suspense out of thin air.

What came through resoundingly in this production is how Vladimir and Estragon’s single-minded wait for Godot is a symbol of the universal human aspiration for a better, more meaningful life. So often in life, we end up waiting and waiting for our own personal Godots – whether they be college acceptances, a glimmer of recognition from a particular person, the panacea offered by a politician, or the advent of some new, undefined era of change. Although Beckett’s text can leave us with grave doubts as to whether our personal Godots will ever come, this production conveys a message, perfect for these hard times, that the wait may not ultimately be in vain.

What stood out in this performance was how this team of actors worked so well together. This performance was not about the actors as individuals, but about the performance as a whole. The chemistry of the acting troupe worked so well that it drew the audience into the performance. The intimacy of the new theatre and fine acoustics also enhanced the sublime effect. The actors used body language and eye contact effectively to convey the message of the play. Since the actors playing Vladimir and Estragon were in their twenties, they were able to perform athletically, which gave true energy to the play. They, along with Joe Roland as Pozzo and Joey Ryan as Lucky, literally made the production come alive. This production is performed in English, yet adds some appropriate French touches to remind the audience that it was originally written in French and first performed in Paris in 1953.

Waiting for Godot has never seem like such a short wait as in this marvelous performance by the Charnal House Theatre Company. Playing at Ecole Active Bilingue Jeannine Manuel at 70, rue du Théâtre.

Mary Ann Toman-Miller

Meilleurs Vœux pour 2009

Chers anciens élèves de l’EABJM,

Nous profitons de cette nouvelle année 2009 pour vous adresser nos vœux les plus chaleureux, et vous souhaiter beaucoup de bonheur et de réussite !

L’année 2008 a été exceptionnelle pour EABJM Alumni. Vous avez élu le nouveau Bureau sur des propositions concrètes et ambitieuses, et nous avons pu vous donner un aperçu de notre envie de faire bouger les choses : Get Together à Londres (11 octobre ’08) ; Nuit blanche pour l’élection présidentielle américaine à Paris (4 novembre ’08) ; Nomination de plus de 20 délégués régionaux et de promotion, qui sont désormais nos relais indispensables partout dans le monde.

Et on ne compte pas s’arrêter là ! Voici, entre autres, ce qui vous attend :

-Nous nous retrouverons à Londres en février 2009 pour un nouveau Get Together (lieu et date à confirmer)

-A partir de mars 2009, un concept innovant deviendra un rendez-vous régulier : le « Paris Speed Biz Dating ». Une fois par mois, nous réunirons à Paris les anciens élèves qui cherchent à se faire des contacts, dans tous les domaines professionnels : milieu des affaires, milieu associatif, artistes, etc. Votre « business partner » idéal se cache peut-être parmi vos anciens copains de classe ! Vous aurez d’ici peu plus de renseignements sur ce rendez-vous.

-A l’occasion de la Fête de la Musique le 21 juin 2009, l’EABJM ouvrira ses portes en fin d’après-midi pour tous vous accueillir ! Celles et ceux qui ont un talent musical ou artistique pourront se produire devant tous les anciens élèves.

-En novembre 2009, nous nous retrouverons à New York City.

-En 2010 sortira l’Annuaire tant attendu des EABJM Alumni.

Merci à nouveau pour votre soutien et votre enthousiasme.

Bonne année, à très bientôt,

EABJM Alumni

Sarah donne cours de soutien

Ancienne élève de l'EABJM, bac littéraire O.I. mention très bien en 2004 propose du soutien scolaire dans les matières suivantes : Français, Anglais, Philosophie pour les élèves du collège et du lycée. Merci de me contacter au 06.68.12.73.80
Sarah Bitoun

Etudiant Recherche Stage au Japon

Etudiant en première année à l’ESSCA, Grande Ecole de Commerce, je souhaite effectuer un stage de deux ou trois mois au Japon à partir de mai 2009.

Après dix ans d’études du Japonais, l’obtention du niveau 3 du « Japanese – Language Proficiency Test » de la Japan Foundation et un échange de deux semaines chez une famille à Kyushu, je suis motivé par une expérience professionnelle au Japon. Je poursuis actuellement mon apprentissage du Japonais à l’Institut Japonais de Paris. De plus, je suis de plus en plus attiré par l’Asie et j’ai commencé à apprendre le Chinois.

Etant bilingue, curieux et avec une bonne capacité d’adaptation, j’espère que ce stage me permettra de combiner une expérience professionnelle enrichissante et une expérience de vie à l’étranger.

Nicolas SEBAG
Etudiant ESSCA Paris - 1ère Année
06 67 84 13 35

nicolas.sebag@essca.eu
n.sebag08@eabjm.org

EABJM Alumni to Become VP's National Security Adivsor

Antony "Tony" Blinken has been named National Security Advisor to Vice President-elect Joe Biden.

Vice President-elect Biden said Tony Blinken has been his most trusted advisor on the most important issues the USA has faced in the areas of national security and international affairs over the past six years.

Since April 2002, Antony Blinken has served as Staff Director of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee. From 1994 to 2001, Mr. Blinken served on the National Security Council staff at the White House, including as Senior Director for European Affairs (1999-2001), Senior Director for Strategic Planning, and NSC Senior Director for Speechwriting (1994-1998). He had previously served as Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs (1993-1994). Mr. Blinken is a graduate of Harvard College and Columbia Law School.* He went to school at the EABJM, from which he graduated in 1979.

The EABJM Alumni Team warmly congratulates Mr. Blinken for his nomination, and wishes him the best of luck for the difficult tasks his will face.

*http://www.usglobalengagement.org