My Name Is Asher Lev

Asher Lev is enjoying a mostly comfortable youth in Brooklyn, with a few exceptions. His parents are refugees from Stalin's Russia, and they're both devout followers of the Rebbe. Asher's father wants his son to follow him into the service of the Rebbe, but Asher is more interested in art, which his father thinks is merely a distraction from more important things. His mother is caught in the middle, torn between her faith to her husband and her support for her son. As Asher grows into young manhood this family conflict only grows more tense, driving father and son further apart. The family drama My Name Is Asher Lev, adapted by Aaron Posner from Chaim Potok's novel, is presented by the New Jewish Theatre. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday (January 23 to February 9) in the Wool Studio Theatre at the Jewish Community Center (2 Millstone Campus Drive, Creve Coeur; www.newjewishtheatre.org). Tickets are $49 to $54.