Press

The Savannah Morning News
Spiritual journey
One-woman musical, "J.A.P.," discusses Jewish American Princess stereotype and her conversion to Judaism
February 20, 2005
by Lanie Lippincott Peterson

She's a Japanese-American mom with two young children, a former Radio City Music Hall Rockette and an actress who performed in "Miss Saigon" and "Shogun" on Broadway.

But expect the unexpected from this one-woman musical. Seven years ago, Rachel Factor converted to Judaism.

Now an Orthodox Jew, this native Hawaiian is touring the U.S. and Canada with a one-woman show called "J.A.P." that describes her spiritual journey.

Sponsored by the B'nai Brith Jacob Sisterhood in Savannah, Factor will present her show of song, dance, humor and storytelling at 8 p.m. Thursday at the Savannah College of Art and Design's Orleans Hall at 201 Barnard St.

The show is open to women only.

Explaining the exclusion of men, B'nai Brith member and arts aficionado Carol Greenberg said that Factor has "some religious obligations" that accompany her Orthodox faith. "She's married and has family" and lives "a humble life," Greenberg said. "It would not be appropriate for her to be performing in front of men."

Greenberg and others also say their interest in Factor's show was "piqued" by the story of her religious conversion and also by her unusual theatrical skills.

The initials in "J.A.P." stand for Jewish American Princess. Factor's performance not only explores that stereotype but also her transformation.

Factor was once a young Hawaiian girl discovering the flashy Los Angeles dance scene, then continued on to Broadway, married, converted to Judaism and moved to Israel.