"With puppets, narration and music, Jennifer Levine recreates the world of the Lower East Side at the beginning of the 20th century. More specifically, she lovingly tells the miraculous story of how her Aunt Sally survived falling off a tenement roof, as it was told to her by her Grandmother Pearl. Levine's puppets include a vibrant host of neighbors and relatives, from the loving father to the angry baker. They are pulled out of or placed on a suitcase and perform against Levine's evocative mini-sets. The night this reviewer saw the show, Levine's family was also in attendance. While watching the parade of characters, Sally's son turned to Pearl and said, "Do you remember all of them?" Pearl, like the rest of the audience, was too engrossed to answer. At Cherry Lane Studio. 30 minutes."

Simmons,
Curtainup.com

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"One of the greatest things about mining hundreds of New York Fringe Festival offerings is chancing upon an unexpected theatrical gem. Such was the case yesterday with The Miracle on Monroe Street. Not that I didn't expect the play to be delightful - I'd met creator, writer and puppeteer Jennifer Levine and her joyous energy let me know I was in for fun. But I had no idea that I would be so moved by the magical tale of her Grandmother's experiences growing up on the Lower East Side - and told through handcrafted puppets.

But moved I was, as well as tickled to full-on laughter, as were adults and children alike at the near-jam-packed Studio @ Cherry Lane Theater. We were taken back to the early 1900's to the childhood of Grandma Pearl and her mischievous younger sister. When the youngster steals a local baker's treat and escapes to a tenement rooftop, it is left to Pearl to steer her fate after she tumbles from on high - to become a Miracle Child.

In Europe, puppetry is a revered and respected craft, considered high art. Levine elevates it to such in The Miracle on Monroe Street, presenting her beloved creations with an ever-so-subtle breath of life. The story itself is beautifully universal, timeless and important, and explores New York City's immigrant experience as well as the bonds of family, beauty of forgiveness and role of religion in times of tragedy.

When the play ended, I was left desperately desiring further adventures of the delightful Pearl. Levine has said she envisions the piece as part of a trilogy, and we can only hope that she continues with this remarkable artistic vision. Shows continue on Sat 18 @8:30, Tue 21 @7:30, Sat 25 @8:30 at the Studio at Cherry Lane Theater, 38 Commerce St. Get tix in advance!"

Mary Hilton,
newbienyc.com

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"Jennifer Levine has the kind of warm, dynamic relationship with an audience that lets us fall in love with her stories, her songs and her ensemble of puppets. The simplicity of her work is the simplicity of haiku - complexity distilled down to its essence. Her shows captivate everyone from Yiddish theater aficionados to the 3 year olds at my son's birthday party."

Jeff Raz,
Director of the Clown Conservatory - currently playing the lead role in Cirque du Soleil's 'Corteo'

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"I believe real theatre is learned in intimate settings. I wrestled for 14 years, performing in front of over 15 million people. Performing in front of 20,000 is easy, they are there to be entertained, and have paid a lot of money to be so. Performing in front of 50 is hard, and that is where you must be something special.

When a person is alone and exposed like Jennifer Levine is with a one woman show, you find out how good a person really is. Anyone can play the big arenas, not anyone can creat the show, the ambience, and make people suspend belief, which they really deep down want to do. I thought Jennifer was awesome with raw talent and an innate charisma which is more of a God given talent that is refined than learned. "

John Clayfield,
WWF (World Wrestling Federation) Superstar

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"My students really enjoyed your performance. School #1 is an "at risk" school based on the socio-economics of the area, so to have 27 students so engaged in a show is highly complimentary."

Theresa Fierro,
3rd grade teacher, School #1, Clifton, NJ - 06/07

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"A wonderful performance! Miracle is a wonderful story that weaves together so many themes - immigration, death, fear, love and history - and it's told in a beautiful way. Our students were captivated."

Naomi Kirkman,
Magnet Coordinator - Bradford School, Montclair, NJ - 06/07

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"I feel, as a professor of curriculum and teaching (with a specialization in middle school age education 3rd - 8th grade), that this show could only be an asset to any school. The show is so rich and would be an excellent addition to social studies, language arts, peforming or visual arts classes through such topics as immigraiton, identity, memoirs, family history, oral history or even an interdisiplinary unit that integrates the three areas. The show is an excellent jumping off point for discussion, critical thinking, reflection, creativity and analysis.

In addition, it is important to note that Jennifer is a wonderful peformer and a thoughtful educator. She is patient, accessible and incredibly energetic. She is open to new ideas and always willing to go the extra mile! I recommend her and her show without hesitation."

Monica Taylor, Ph.D.
College of Education and Human Services, Montclair State University - 04/07

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"The artwork is incredible... gauging by the students' questions, they were just as enamored with the amazing settings, props, and puppets as I was. I liked how the play transitions back and forth from the grandmother's narration to the action of the puppet drama. While the performance gave me the opportunity to use my imagination, the narration kept reminding me that this story is true. A very unique experience. Thank you so much. We were honored."

Ryu Saito,
6th grade teacher, Grover Cleveland Middle School, Caldwell, NJ - 03/07

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"A captivating, professional performance unlike a puppet show you would expect. The students were mesmerized."

Wayne Rush,
Library Media Specialist, Grover Cleveland Middle school, Caldwell, NJ - 3/07

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"Wow, absolute astonishment! I was blown away by the creativity of the sets and puppets! The story was beautifully told and executed. We want you back in September!";

Dana Lichtenberg,
Youth Director, Morristown Jewish Center - 2/07

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Upcoming Performances The Miracle on Monroe Street | Sun, Aug 16th, @8:00am First Night Montclair | Thu, Dec 31st

Student Feedback

1. What did you learn from the Miracle show?

• I learned that love is stronger than pain.
• I learned that anything can happen and people can be very curious.
• If you believe in something fully, it will be lucky.
• One thing I learned was that immigrants were very protective back then.
• Never lean over the edge of a building!
• Miracles can happen.
• Immigrants were afraid to go to doctors who didn't speak their language.
• Greed doesn't do you any good.
• Don't give up hope.
  

2. How have your views about your own family stories been affected?

• I want to know about special things in my family story.
• Yes, because I could tell what it was like when my great, great grandmother came to America.
• It makes me want to look more into them.
• I think that when something sad, tragic or even happy happens in my family, I pay more
  attention to it.

3. What was interesting to you about the puppet show?

• That an actual person that was there narrated it.
• How one person can play many different people and voices.
• That it could catch your attention and wouldn't let it go.
• The time it took to make everything.

4. What new things have you learned about immigration?

• That is wasn't easy being new to a country.
• That immigrants were afraid of many things.
• The language barrier is really hard.
• When you immigrate to a new place, you might have to risk your life.
• They feared places that didn’t speak their language.
• That not only getting to America was hard, but living here was hard to.

5. How has the show influenced your views about immigrants in the past and today.

• I want to learn more about what happened back then.
• That there are many things immigrants have trouble doing.
• No matter where you are, you have family.
• Immigrants come here for the good of themselves and their families.
• It showed me that immigrants had a rough and brutal time coming to America.
• You didn't know who to trust and what to do.

Miracles Miracles can happen to anyone, No matter who they are. Tall, short, Black, white Whoever it is. As long as they are... Thankful, Grateful, Hopeful, and Joyful! Because Miracles are... Amazing, Fabulous, Luscious, And Fascinating! Just believe! 5th Grade Student -Bradford School