New Jewish Theatre 2026 season features five productions that hope to deliver laughter, tears and thought-provoking conversations. The line-up includes three new to St. Louis productions, a Tony Award–winning comedy and one of Broadway’s...
By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
• Published October 6, 2025
An upcoming one-act festival at Union Avenue Opera (UAO) will address troubling contemporary issues. It will also mark the directorial debut—of an opera—for theater veteran Joan Lipkin. The two operas will be performed October 10, 11 and 12 in...
BY GERRY KOWARSKY, SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
• Published September 15, 2025
At New Jewish Theatre, “The Wanderers” drops audiences into two marriages on the edge — one inside Brooklyn’s cloistered Hasidic world, the other in the freewheeling literary scene — and asks how love survives when faith, ambition and desire...
GERRY KOWARSKY, SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
• Published July 28, 2025
The last word of the title is surprising in “Two Jews Walk Into a War…” The opening words suggest the last one will be “bar” and that a joke will follow. Playwright Seth Rozin thwarts only the first of these expectations. “War” is not the...
(JTA) — Award-winning actor and singer Billy Porter sparked controversy while promoting his new lead role in the revival of “Cabaret” on Broadway when he stated that “Black people have replaced the Jews.”
The revival of Cabaret, the 1966...
Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
• Published July 23, 2025
A key cast member in an upcoming production of “The Second Hurricane” is a Jewish St. Louis actor and musician. Bryn Sentnor will play the role of Gwen in the youth opera by Jewish composer Aaron Copeland. It will mark Sentnor’s first time performing...
By Judith Newmark, Special to the Jewish Light
• Published July 20, 2025
At a rehearsal about 20 years ago, Seth Rozin - director, playwright, artistic director of Philadelphia’s InterAct Theatre - was approached by one of the actors, a New York Times in his hand. “Look at this,” the actor said.
He pointed to a story...
By Gerry Kowarsky, Special to the Jewish Light
• Published June 1, 2025
“The Heidi Chronicles” is totally absorbing and delightful in the current production at the New Jewish Theatre.
The title character of Wendy Wasserstein’s celebrated play is Heidi Holland. In the prologue, Heidi is a professor of art history...
Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content Officer
• Published May 21, 2025
If you’re planning to catch the New Jewish Theatre’s upcoming production of “The Heidi Chronicles,” here’s a quick primer to help you get the most out of the show. Whether you’re a longtime fan of playwright Wendy Wasserstein or just curious...
Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content Officer
• Published April 29, 2025
If people describe you as “the Spielberg of” anything, chances are you’re doing something right. Or at least you know what you’re doing. In the world of Shakespeare, that guy is Barry Edelstein.
On May 15, Edelstein will headline the St. Louis...
Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content Officer
• Published April 21, 2025
On Sunday, May 25, the St. Louis Chamber Chorus will present a powerful and poignant concert titled “War and Peace,” featuring the works of Jewish composers Darius Milhaud and Vally Weigl. The concert will take place at Congregation B’nai Amoona...
In his first major public comments about Israel since early in the Gaza war, the Jewish actor Ben Platt said his Jewish identity is not defined by Israel.
Platt also voiced support for another Jewish actor, Hannah Einbinder, who has drawn criticism...
