New Jerusalem: The Interrogation of Baruch de Spinoza at Talmud Torah Congregation: Amsterdam, July 27, 1656

Synopsis

As a young Jewish man in 17th century Amsterdam, Baruch de Spinoza excelled as a theological student; but as he encountered free-thinking Protestants, atheists, and radicals in this relatively tolerant city, he began to question his religion and the nature of God. As a result, he was branded a heretic and faced excommunication. An L.A. Theatre Works full-cast performance featuring: Matthew Wolf as Baruch de Spinoza Edward Asner as Abraham van Valkenburgh Richard Easton as Saul Levi Mortera Andrea Gabriel as Clara Arye Gross as Ben Israel Amy Pietz as Rebekah James Wagner as Simon de Vries Directed by Rosalind Ayres. Recorded before a live audience at the Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles.