Hello and welcome to Theater J We’re excited to share our 2015-2016 season with you—a lineup that takes us ever deeper into the themes and conversations we’ll be exploring on—and
We open with an all-star lineup of Caleen Sinnette Jennings, Eleanor Holdridge and Dawn Ursula in Queens Girl in the World. This is a world premiere that was developed as part of The Locally Grown Festival and it chronicles
beyond—our stage. We’re committed to
the coming-of-age experience of an African-
tackling challenging topics that inspire
American teenager in Queens, NY—in the midst
deep discussion, to gender parity within
of the Civil Rights Movement.
our artistic community, to supporting
Stephen Karam’s quirky comedy-drama Sons of
playwrights in the development of their
The Prophet about a tragedy-stricken Lebanese-
work and to expanding the notion of what
American family in small town Pennsylvania
a Jewish theater can be. We hope you will
explores issues of ethnic, sexual and familial
join us.
identity with refreshing wit and pathos that
the unforgettable, ultimately world-
resonates across many communities.
changing photo of a dead American
Wendy Wasserstein humorously grapples with
soldier he took in Somalia.
shifting gender roles and mid-life decisions
We end the season at summer camp with
through the lives of three very different sisters
Anna Zeigler’s Another Way Home. When
in The Sisters Rosensweig. On the 10th
a runaway son forces a family to confront
Anniversary of her death we’re honored to bring
their own relationships with each other they
this classic American playwright to our stage for
have to face the fact that while they love
the first time for a full-length production.
each other, they don’t always like each other.
Continuing Theater J’s imperative to produce
We’re proud to work with Anna on the second
work that reflects an authentic Israeli experience,
production of this relatable, moving new play.
we will bring acclaimed Israeli author David
Beyond our main productions, we’ll have a lot
Grossman’s book, Falling Out of Time, to our
more panel discussions, talk-backs, readings,
stage in a new adaptation created by director
workshops of new plays by local playwrights
Derek Goldman. This lyric piece about enduring
during our Locally Grown Festival, and a
loss distills the experience of accepting death,
special week-long run of the musical revue
specifically the death of a child, in a way that is
Stars of David: Story to Song. We hope you’ll
moving and timely in Israeli society and
be part of the conversation all season long, as
across cultures.
we move from Queens to rural Pennsylvania
What impact can a single photograph have
to London, Israel, Afghanistan, The Canadian
on global and personal events? Dan O’Brien
Arctic and Maine.
eloquently sets out to answer this question with The Body of an American, which recounts his personal relationship with Pulitzer Prize-
Rebecca Ende
Shirley Serotsky
winning photojournalist Paul Watson and
Managing Director
Acting Artistic Director
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Queens Girl in the World by Caleen Sinnette Jennings Directed by Eleanor Holdridge Starring Dawn Ursula September 16 – October 11, 2015 It’s summer 1962 in Queens, New York. The sounds of doo-wop music fill the night and 12-year-old Jacqueline Marie Butler is on the verge of adulthood. When Jacqueline’s parents abruptly transfer her to a progressive, predominantly Jewish school in Greenwich Village, she is thrust out of her comfort zone and, as one of only four black students, into a new city and a whole new world. Part of the 2015 Women’s Voices Theater Festival and the Locally Grown Community Supported Art Initiative.
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Sons of the Prophet by Stephen Karam Directed by Gregg Henry Featuring Brigid Cleary, Chris Dinolfo, Michael Willis November 18 – December 20, 2015 After Joseph’s father dies in the wake of a freak accident involving a plastic deer decoy, he’s pretty sure lightning won’t strike twice. But it does, as Joseph’s health, sanity and family are called into question. Add in fending off his off-kilter boss, and Joseph’s to-do list is looking pretty long. But he’ll get to everything – just as soon as he can get someone from his insurance company on the phone. A 2012 Pulitzer Prize finalist dark comedy that laughs in the face of human suffering. “Explosively funny.” –The New York Times
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Stars of David: Story to Song based on the book by Abigail Pogrebin Conceived by Aaron Harnick and Abigail Pogrebin Directed by Shirley Serotsky Featuring Joshua Dick, Sherri L. Edelen, Emily Levey and Aaron Serotsky December 22 – 27, 2015
A funny and captivating musical revue celebrating the lives of your favorite Jewish public figures. This adaptation of Abigail Pogrebin’s best-selling book is a celebration of Jewish identity drawn from interviews with famous American Jews – from Gwyneth Paltrow to Ruth Bader Ginsburg and everyone in between, including Gloria Steinem, Joan Rivers, Aaron Sorkin, Leonard Nimoy, Fran Drescher and more. With original music by an all-star lineup of composers and lyricists including Marvin Hamlisch (A Chorus Line), Jeanine Tesori (Fun Home), Sheldon Harnick (Fiddler on the Roof), Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater (Spring Awakening), and Tom Kitt (Next to Normal). “Entertaining, witty and poignant.” - The Miami Herald
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The Sisters Rosensweig by Wendy Wasserstein Directed by Kasi Campbell January 13 – February 21, 2016 Featuring Susan Lynskey, Michael Russotto and Kimberly Schraf The Rosensweig sisters are different as can be – a no-nonsense international banker, a kvelling mother of four and a bohemian world-traveling journalist. When the three hilariously reunite at Sara’s London home for her 54th birthday celebration, a barrage of suitors and unexpected revelations make for one interesting weekend. A heartfelt comedy about women grappling with their life choices. The show will be accompanied by a Wasserstein retrospective featuring readings of two of her plays, Uncommon Women and Others and Third. “A funny and deeply felt look at finding one’s identity.” – The Boston Globe The Annual Arthur Tracy “The Street Singer” Endowment Production: Honoring the memory and musical legacy of Arthur Tracy – the renowned radio, stage and screen singer and entertainer whose talents delighted millions around the world – the arts programs supported by this fund continue Tracy’s ability to entertain for years to come.
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Falling Out of Time based on the novel by David Grossman Based on the novel by David Grossman* Book Translation by Jessica Cohen, Adapted and directed by Derek Goldman Featuring Nanna Ingvarsson and Michael Russotto March 17 - April 17, 2016 The Walking Man leaves on an expedition to find his lost son in that shadowy and mysterious place where the living and the dead may meet again. As he paces in ever-widening circles, townsfolk fall into step with him and share their grief over their own departed loved ones. A new adaptation of acclaimed Israeli author David Grossman’s book about enduring loss. This incandescent fable of parental grief powerfully distills the experience of accepting death in a way that is moving, beautiful and timely in Israeli society, and across cultures. “A richly emotional, mystical and philosophical tapestry… [in the] tradition of art that pushes back against catastrophe.” - The Jewish Daily Forward *Fisher Family Foundation Visiting Artist
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The Body of an American by Dan O’Brien Directed by José Carrasquillo April 27 – May 29, 2016 War reporter Paul Watson has been haunted since the day he snapped his Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph of a dead American soldier being dragged through the streets of Mogadishu. Playwright Dan O’Brien has also felt haunted by his own past for years. The two form a friendship and begin a journey that spans from Rwanda to Afghanistan to the Canadian Arctic. A breathtakingly provocative drama, based on a true story, about the resonance of history. “A play that tightens its grip as it probes where war lives, and discovers we each carry it inside ourselves.” - The Guardian
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Another Way Home by Anna Ziegler Directed by Shirley Serotsky Featuring Rick Foucheux and Shayna Blass June 23 - July 24, 2016 It’s visiting day at Camp Kickapoo, and Joey Nadelman is nowhere to be found. As the search parties come up empty, Joey’s parents are left wondering not only where he’s gone, but also why their marriage feels lacking, and what might have happened if they had taken a different path. An insightful, sardonic drama about the strangers we all live with – our family. “Engagingly told, with flashes of poignant humor.” – San Francisco Chronicle
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Beyond the Stage Theater J takes dialogues beyond the stage, offering an array of innovative public discussion forums, readings and programs that explore the theatrical, cultural and social elements of our art throughout the year. Includes Tea@2 readings and Locally Grown readings.
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