Once the director of 4 Daughters Minus One, 2000 A.D. saw the video audition of Amanda Almanzar, she knew there was something special inside of the actress that prepared her for the role of Ruth. The Book of Ruth is found in the Old Testament of the Bible.
Amanda describes her birth as being born in the concrete jungle of New York, NY. At the age of 5 years old, she knew that she wanted to become an actress. Growing up in the Bronx, training began in contemporary lyrical dance. After relocating to Detroit, Amanda eventually became a student at Oakland Community College (OCC) where she began taking acting and theatre courses and received an Associate degree in Arts. Amanda gives credit where credit is due and is quick to acknowledge pioneers in the arts who paved the way for her including Celia Cruz, Rita Moreno, and Frida Kahlo.
Bringing the role of Ruth to life for audiences in the 21st century is a challenge that Amanda embraces because Ruth's story is one that many women can relate to who find themselves in circumstances they did not predict. Amanda told Timberly Robinson, director of 4 Daughters Minus One, 2000 A.D. that I fit the role of Ruth because I feel like I know her. I grew up going to church and studied the account of Ruth multiple times. I think she is a resilient, resourceful, and a humble woman. After reading a few lines of the script, Amanda continued to tell the director that she has said those lines to family members and friends.
The Story of Ruth
Ruth became a widow around the age of 40 according to the account told by the Jewish Women's Archives. Old testament biblical scriptures tell us that Ruth made a living the best way she could working in fields, not just for herself, but to care for her mother-in-law, Naomi. Ruth married Naomi's son and would not think of leaving her elderly widowed mother-in-law when the matriarch told Ruth and her other daughter-in-law to leave and go back home to their families when each of the three women became widows after the death of Naomi's husband and her two sons.
The theatrical play, 4 Daughters Minus One, 2000 A.D. allows audiences to imagine what life was really like for a single woman going to a foreign land with her elderly mother-in-law having to search for food, not really knowing how safe she would be carrying food from the field to take home to her mother-in-law, Naomi. Most people know the story of Ruth because her second husband (Boaz) was known as a very wealthy man in town. In the theatrical play, Ruth comes to the 21st century as a tribute to honor Father Yahweh for inspiring some of the greatest literature written by King David, King Solomon and the Book of Ruth. All celebrate the writings of Ruth, except one royal queen named Jezebel.
Amanda brings this delightful role to life and audiences can see her perform on September 16, 2023, at Wayne State University Community Arts Center Building in Detroit, Michigan. Tickets are on sale now at www.eventbrite.com and range from $25 - $40.
4 Daughters Minus One, 2000 A.D. is produced by Luvinwhatido Productions, LLC. For more information, visit the website: www.4daughtersminusone.com.
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