From the writer and director of three cult classic shot-on-video horror films from the 80’s – Video Violence and Video Violence 2 and Captives and co-author of the Off-Broadway musical Frankenstein, a new musical comes an original novel: CELEBRATION PLAYHOUSE – A Theatrical Thriller. A group of talented college students purchase a non-operational synagogue with hopes of turning it into a community theater in suburban Pennsylvania, with the intent of presenting the musical “RENT” as their initial production. Things seem to go as planned until they encounter two frightening obstacles --- members of a far-right-wing organization vow to put a stop to this sort of liberal theater with its “unsavory” actor-types, and the large mound of clay and dirt in the basement of this age-old synagogue, thought to be an empty oil-heating tank that needs to be removed, starts to enlarge and shift almost on a daily basis. Attempts to involve the local police to help stop the numerous incidents executed by the “haters” prove fruitless. As the threats escalate, and it seems no one can be trusted, the theater folks are forced to take matters into their own defenseless hands. To add to their fear and danger, the heap of clay in the cellar continues to evolve, and research into the temple’s history reveals takes of an animated creature, brought to life from dirt and clay. Might this be the Golem, an anthropomorphic being in Jewish folklore, which is created entirely from inanimate matter, and if so, to what purpose – good or evil? Leaning on his theatrical roots, author Gary P. Cohen also goes behind the scenes of both the transformation of the temple into playhouse, as well as mounting the theatrical production itself: from the casting to costuming, set design, lighting, sound, and publicity. Combining a story of the creative process in producing community theater, with the timely account of far-right ideology, and the supernatural tale of a mythical creature, CELEBRATION PLAYHOUSE is a unique and inventive thriller. Celebration Playhouse Gary P. Cohen Independently Published (2024) ISBN: 979-8333513601 Reviewed by Joan Kirschner for Reader Views (11/2024) 4* - The Show Must Go On - No Matter What! Author Gary P. Cohen has drawn extensively on his long-term background and experience as a theatrical producer, playwright, and author of non-fiction theater books to create his highintensity thriller, "Celebration Playhouse: A Theatrical Thriller." It conveys the excitement of ambitious, artistic young people as they follow their dream to put on their first community theater production in an imaginative new venue, versus the opposition they encounter from local hard-core hate groups and individuals who want to see them fail. Cohen's work in the theater world enables him to convincingly and engagingly present the complexities involved in starting a new theatrical enterprise and producing a show, but there are also elements of romance, more than a little graphic violence, and an imaginative use of legend, mysticism, and magical realism. The story starts out pleasantly and benignly - four Philadelphia college students, Michael, Carl, Jason (Jay), and David (Davey), each with various theatrical talents and aspirations, unexpectedly come upon a potential home base where they can realize their community theater plans. An unused historic synagogue in a town on the far edge of the Philadelphia metropolitan area is empty and available. They get very lucky when Carl's well-off father decides to purchase the foreclosed building and remodel it for both their theatrical and other business purposes. . Meanwhile, trouble is brewing. Before long, several vicious acts of vandalism have defaced the building, particularly the sanctuary. The local police begin investigating, and the press reports on the vile and unsettling events. The theater team was unaware that certain local individuals, mostly men, harbored intense homophobic, anti-Black and interracial prejudices, along with their anti-Semitism. They banded together, along with some organized bigoted groups, to thwart the theater's development. They were particularly incensed by the choice of "Rent," with its celebration of diversity. The greater community has been generally supportive, so preparations for the show continue. As the theater team nears the play's opening, they organize a special event to generate positive publicity and word of mouth. The opposition though, has been making their own plans...while that mysterious mound in the basement seems to be getting taller. Though the action takes place roughly 16 years ago, the author has created characters (both his heroes and his b(both his heroes and his bad guys) who feel very believable as they go about their lives in very familiar venues of 2007-2008. In 2024, some of the action feels astoundingly, and perhaps uncomfortably, current, as though it could have been torn straight from recent news events. Reading about all that is inv