A nonprofit, independent news source to inform, inspire, educate and connect the St. Louis Jewish community.

St. Louis Jewish Light

A nonprofit, independent news source to inform, inspire, educate and connect the St. Louis Jewish community.

St. Louis Jewish Light

A nonprofit, independent news source to inform, inspire, educate and connect the St. Louis Jewish community.

St. Louis Jewish Light

Edward Coffield, New Jewish Theatre’s Artistic Director 

New Jewish Theatre announces lineup for 2020-21 season

By Ellen Futterman, EditorPublished March 12, 2020

He had me at “Crossing Delancey.”That was my response when Eddie Coffield shared the lineup for the New Jewish Theatre’s 2020-21 season, beginning in October. Coffield is artistic director of NJT, which is part of the Jewish Community Center.Although...

Sasson Gabay and Janet Dacal 

Musical about Egyptian band’s stop in Israeli town is well worth a visit

By Judith Newmark, Special to the Jewish LightPublished February 27, 2020

When strangers unexpectedly descend on tiny, isolated town, you have the makings of . . . an award-winning musical.“Come from Away,” which played the Fox Theatre last year, tells the fact-based story of the residents of a Newfoundland hamlet who welcomed...

Amy Loui and Spencer Sickmann perform in New Jewish Theatre’s production of ‘My Name Is Asher Lev.’  

Artistic genius clashes with Hasidism in ‘Asher Lev’ at New Jewish Theatre

BY ROBERT A. COHN, Editor-in-Chief EmeritusPublished January 30, 2020

A deeply affecting production at the New Jewish Theater of “My Name is Asher Lev” compellingly paints a vivid picture of the clash between a revered Hasidic rabbi and his artistic prodigy son, whose God given gifts are both brilliant and blasphemous.Caught...

Gary Wayne Barker and J. Samuel Davis in The New Jewish Theatre production of District Merchants.

‘District Merchants’ reimagines Shakespeare’s most controversial play

BY ROBERT A. COHN, Editor-in-Chief EmeritusPublished February 1, 2019

At one time not long ago, it would have been unthinkable for a Jewish theater company to produce William Shakespeare’s “Merchant of Venice,” the lead character of which is Shylock, a bloodthirsty and corrupt moneylender in the fabled city during...

Gary Wayne Barker and J. Samuel Davis in The New Jewish Theatre production of District Merchants.

‘District Merchants’ reimagines Shakespeare’s most controversial play

BY ROBERT A. COHN, Editor-in-Chief EmeritusPublished February 1, 2019

At one time not long ago, it would have been unthinkable for a Jewish theater company to produce William Shakespeare’s “Merchant of Venice,” the lead character of which is Shylock, a bloodthirsty and corrupt moneylender in the fabled city during...

From left, Pete Winfrey and Jack Zanger star in the New Jewish Theatre production of “Never the Sinner.” Photo: Eric Woolsey

New Jewish Theatre stages ‘Never the Sinner’

Published March 2, 2017

The New Jewish Theatre continues its 20th season with John Logan’s play “Never the Sinner” from March 16 to April 2. The play has been described as a chilling love story between two brilliant and privileged young men tried for what became known...

Jacqueline Thompson (left) and Andrea Purnell perform in the New Jewish Theatre production of ‘Intimate Apparel.’ Photos: Eric Woolsey

NJT’s ‘Intimate Apparel’ a sheer delight

By Ellen Futterman, EditorPublished February 1, 2017

Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage is known for giving voice to stories of the disenfranchised that otherwise might be forgotten. “Intimate Apparel” certainly delivers on that, though in the capable hands of New Jewish Theatre director...

From left, Laurie McConnell, Greg Johnston, Alexandra Woodruff
perform in NJTs production of ‘The Last Night of Ballyhoo. Photo:
John Lamb

‘Ballyhoo’ is funny, poignant look at 1939 Atlanta Jewish society

BY ROBERT A. COHN, Editor-in-Chief EmeritusPublished December 7, 2011

Fans of Alfred Uhry's award-winning play and film "Driving Miss Daisy" are sure to love "The Last Night of Ballyhoo," appearing through Dec. 18 at The New Jewish Theatre. Though not as much of a household name as Neil Simon or Arthur Miller, Uhry is...

Imagine This

‘Imagine This’ weaves together stories of Jewish Resistance

BY ROBERT A. COHN, Editor-in-Chief EmeritusPublished August 4, 2010

"Imagine This" is an original musical that juxtaposes the story of Jewish Resistance in the notorious Warsaw Ghetto during the Holocaust with the story of the Jewish Zealots at Masada in Israel 2,000 years earlier. The Zealots held off an entire Roman...

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