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Itzhak film to screen February 25
at Jewish Federation Sarasota-Manatee
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Acclaimed documentary profiles violin legend
(and Sarasota winter resident) Itzhak Perlman
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SARASOTA, Fla. (January 31, 2018) – The Perlman Music Program/Suncoast presents a limited Suncoast screening of Itzhak at the Beatrice Friedman Theater, Jewish Federation Sarasota-Manatee, 580 McIntosh Rd, Sarasota, FL 34232, on Sunday, February 25 at 4:00 p.m. Tickets are $15 and available online at PMPSuncoast.org.
Regarded as the world’s greatest living violinist, Itzhak Perlman is no stranger to audiences in Sarasota and Manatee counties. He and his wife Toby, founder of The Perlman Music Program, along with their students, faculty and staff, have spent the past 14 winters here for The Perlman Music Program Sarasota Winter Residency.
Alison Chernick, the film’s director, followed Mr. Perlman around the world for about a year, from New York to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Los Angeles, Miami, Washington, D.C., and Paris, as he rehearsed, performed, cooked, made jokes, taught, and spent time with his wife and friends. In an interview with the East Hampton Star, Chernick explained, “As a documentarian, I saw a large character with huge passion and spirit. I wanted to explore the person behind this beautiful sound . . . I saw Jewish history, humor, discipline, drive, and, of course, amazing resilience and overcoming of obstacles, and I knew the story would be incredibly colorful.”
In Itzhak, we learn about Perlman’s struggles with polio as a young child, tales of growing up as the child of Polish survivors – where his mastery of the instrument takes him from his small neighborhood in Tel Aviv to the world’s most prominent stages and his enduring bond with Toby for more than 50 years. Scenes include Perlman drinking wine with Alan Alda, rehearsing for a guest appearance at a Billy Joel concert, accepting the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barak Obama and playing The Star-Spangled Banner to open a New York Mets game. The film provides us with an intimate portrait of the man behind the baton – his love of music, teaching, the violin and life itself.
The Perlman Music Program/Suncoast screening of Itzhak is sponsored in part by The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee; Gulf Coast Community Foundation; Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP; Northern Trust; and in partnership with USF Sarasota-Manatee. To learn more about Itzhak, visit www.itzhakthefilm.com. |
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About The Perlman Music Program/Suncoast
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The Perlman Music Program/Suncoast, Inc. was established in May 2008 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization to provide a permanent home for The Perlman Music Program (PMP) Sarasota Winter Residency, following four years of affiliation with other performing arts organizations. Founded by Toby Perlman, and with a world-renowned faculty led by her husband, internationally acclaimed violinist and conductor Itzhak Perlman, PMP augments its seven-week summer school program in Shelter Island each December with a 17-day winter residency in Sarasota and Manatee counties. The residency provides valuable mentoring and performance opportunities for approximately 35 young international string musicians, ages 12-20+, and offers 20+ free musical events to community audiences on the campus of University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee. In addition, the Winter Residency features Super Strings, a program offering young Florida string players the opportunity to perform onstage with PMP students under the baton of Itzhak Perlman, and the Celebration Concert, held at the Sarasota Opera House each year.
In addition, throughout the season, PMP/Suncoast brings alumni of PMP, now professional musicians, to Sarasota and Manatee counties for educational and outreach programs. PMP Alumni: In Schools takes the musicians into elementary, middle and high schools, as well as after-school programs and special needs schools, to educate and interact with students and teachers. PMP Alumni: Around Town offers free or low-cost PMP alumni performances and events to people of all ages at community venues throughout the area.
For more information, visit PMPSuncoast.org.
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