Gabriela Kohen, the critically acclaimed New York actress, playwright, and drama therapist, will perform her autobiographical one-woman show “Decoding the Tablecloth” at Congregation Kol Ami from 7.30 to 10 pm. on Saturday, June 17. She will also perform on Sunday, June 18, in Venice at Beyond Baroque from 3 to 5pm. A wine and cheese reception with the artist follows the performances.
In English, Yiddish and Spanish, Ms. Kohen portrays over 20 characters from five generations. Her Jewish/Polish grandmother escapes from the holocaust to Argentina, and the family later immigrates to Brooklyn. Intensely moving, and at times humorous, her narrative provides insight into the transmission of trauma, resilience and wisdom from one generation to the next.
Advance admission is $100 and at-the-door admission is $125. Student admission is $80. Admission is a tax-deductible donation to the Group Foundation for Advancing Mental Health. Advance payment must be made by calling the Group Foundation at (877) 668-2472.
New York Magazine called “Decoding the Tablecloth” “a loving yet unflinching family portrait…astonishing subtlety of gesture, expression and accent…an extraordinarily efficient and moving hour of entertainment,” and the Washington Post stated “’Decoding the Tablecloth’ is bitter, forgiving, and wise.” Directed by Constance Grappo, “Decoding the Tablecloth” won the award for Outstanding Solo Show at the New York International Fringe Festival.
Kohen received her acting degree from the American Conservatory Theater. She is a drama therapist at Sanctuary for Families and Restore NYC in New York City, a faculty member of the Therapeutic Arts Alliance of Manhattan and an advanced candidate at the Center for Modern Psychoanalytic Studies.
Proceeds will support scholarships for training students and agency clinicians in group psychotherapy. This training, conducted by the American Group Psychotherapy Association, provides scholarship recipients with skills to help their patients process emotions, including those resulting from the transgenerational transmission of trauma.
