Evening star., 1939-03-19
a Drama
Is Found in
The Bible
Family Portrait
A New Story of
Jesus Life
By Ira Wolferf.
NEW YORK,

Broadway's approach to the Bible
Is inclined to be more paralyzed than
but Family Portrait" Is
the exception.
This is play by Lenore Coffee and
William Joyce Cowen, who were
married in the sight of God but live
and work in Hollywood. They are
not writing geniuses. AS matter Of
fact, they seem to concentrate on
putting one little word after another.
But they hit the idea of presenting a
life of Jesus through his family's
eyes, and sent an opening night audi
ence fumbling toward its taxis with
the feeling that it ought to get to
church more often, if only for the
experience.
The idea and the acting-chiefy
by Judith Anderson as Maryland
the staging by Margaret Webster
are what's done it. They communi-
cate the emotion of exaltation, with
out which any theatrical work Is so
much parcheesi. Miss Anderson, gray
haired and humble. a mother who
rules an unruly brood firmly and
knows how to handle a neighbor
whose nose is where it does not be-
long, moves through her part with
and uncanny. fleshless strength. She
acts like holy force.
The Carpenter Jesus, says the play,
left home and business when He was
80 to preach new philosophy to the
Jewish nation, at that time subject
to Rome. His brothers-James and
Joses, Simon and Juda-got into a
devilish fret over the matter. James.
was studying to be holy, but did not
dare yet to presume to the rabbinate,
felt Jesus was acting like an upstart
and would end by making laughing
stock of the family The others we're
peevish because Jesus was their best
carpenter and His absence was a
blow to the family business. Mary
was His only defender Jesus was
her favorite child. She loved them
all, of course, equally. but Jesus was
so different from His brothers. There
was separate quality to Him. and
how could one blame a mother for
having a separate feeling for such
a child?
Where He Went,
Went the Crowds.
Then, months later. the news
trickled back to the family in Naza-
reth that He had become famous
for miracles Fame is a handy
thing to have around shop. and
the brothers hustled off to Caper-
naum to bring Him back where He
F, would be profitable. There is moth
ing particular about their greed for
His presence Other merchants and
innkeepers were bidding briskly for
the same. Where He went the
crowds went, jingling money In their
pockets.
They did not get Him back then
and, when He returned a year later,
the village of Nazareth tossed he'll
ter-skelter after Him. eager for a
look at the native Son who had
made good in the big time. There
was nothing to Him. they decided.
He was humble He spoke to every
one He walked along the streets
and no one needed to bow or make
way for Him And, according to St.
Mark. Jesus said unto them, q
prophet is not without honor but
in his own country and among his
own kin, and in his own house.
When He neglected to pass a miracle
for their benefit they hooted Him
out of town. The Man. they decided,
is a fraud and so is his family.
1t cut the family business to nothing.
1t broke up the betrothal of Juda
to the lovely daughter of the town S
wealthiest citizen
Only Mary remained loyal to Him
among the family, and when she
heard that the Roman and Jewish
authorities were beginning to de-
bate ways and means of taking care
of this rebel in their midst, she
rushed off to Jerusalem.
Sinister Doings
Mark Last Act.
That would be In the last act
and sinister one it is. shrouded
with dim, off stage terror. It is
played first on the dark streets Of
the city. with Judas rushing of to
betrayal and halting moment to
direct Mary where she could find
her Son at supper. Then the scene
shifts to the room where the Last
Supper was held. 1t is empty
and. while her Son is off at Geth-
| copoono roorx, cite rorLioo ", droo 4
and anguish and also pride. listen
ing to tales of Him from Mary OF
Magdala. Roman bugles blow. A
Roman legion tramps by. There
are shouts and the hurried thud
of running feet and the news that
He has been taken prisoner and
His disciples have fled for their lives.
The final scene of the act and
(See WOLFERT, Page F-30