WJT 2015-16 Season Release

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Winnipeg Jewish Theatre - Media Release
WINNIPEG JEWISH THEATRE ANNOUNCES ITS 28TH SEASON:
A CELEBRATION OF STORIES & SONG
FEATURING A FESTIVAL OF NEW WINNIPEG JEWISH PLAYS
AND TWO OFF-BROADWAY HITS
Winnipeg Jewish Theatre’s incoming Artistic Director, Ari Weinberg is thrilled to announce WJT’s
2015-16 season.
The lineup opens Oct. 22 with Stars of David, a musical journey through the lives of many prominent
Jewish figures adapted from the best-selling book by Abigail Pogrebin. So, Nu? A Festival of New Jewish
Winnipeg Plays will follow in March – Shiksa by local playwright Cairn Moore will feature as the series’
cornerstone, with additional readings and titles to be announced in the fall. Closing the season is Buyer &
Cellar, a hilarious one-man comedy exploring the whimsical world of Barbra Streisand, starring Winnipeg
actor and comedian Ryan James Miller.
“For my first season I wanted to explore the Jewish experience by sharing Winnipeg stories and
connecting them with those of iconic Jewish figures,” says Mr. Weinberg. “I’m inviting everyone to join
us at the Berney Theatre as we celebrate our stories and theirs. We’re presenting a season where everyone
will find something to relate to.”
Subscriptions will go on sale June 1st and can be purchased online at www.wjt.ca or by calling
204-477-7478. Single tickets will be available for purchase on August 31. All performances will take
place at the Berney Theatre located in the Rady Jewish Community Centre, 123 Doncaster St.
Show descriptions:
STARS OF DAVID
October 22- November 1, 2015
Based on the book by Abigail Pogrebin
Directed by Ari Weinberg
A musical adaptation of the best-selling book Stars of David: Prominent Jews Talk About Being Jewish.
Featuring songs by some of Broadway’s finest writers, Stars of David is a funny and poignant musical
that celebrates Jewish identity through the true stories of icons from Leonard Nimoy to Joan Rivers, from
Gloria Steinem to Kenneth Cole. Come and see how their stories reflect our stories.
“Stars of David will provide you with a humorous and human look into some of our most famous and
important Jewish people.” - NY Theatre Guide
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Winnipeg Jewish Theatre- Media Release
SO, NU?
A FESTIVAL OF NEW WINNIPEG JEWISH PLAYS
March 9-19, 2016
Featuring the premiere of Shiksa by Cairn Moore, directed by Ari Weinberg
Come experience 10 days of world premieres on the Berney Stage! Readings of new works in
development by local playwrights will be presented alongside Shiksa by Winnipeg playwright Cairn
Moore. This autobiographical play will resonate deeply. Zak is Jewish. Emma is not. When Zak’s parents
discover he is living with a Shiksa, he must choose between the love of his parents and the love of his life.
BUYER & CELLAR
By Jonathan Tolins
May 7-15, 2016
Directed by Kayla Gordon
Starring Ryan James Miller
Alex More is an out of work actor who lands a unique job — shopkeeper in Barbra Streisand’s
underground mall on her private Malibu estate. Alex spends most of his days alone, surrounded by the
mega-star’s antique collection. But when “Babs” drops in for a visit one day, Alex’s life is changed
forever. Buyer and Cellar is a sophisticated comedy that offers an unconventional glimpse into one of the
most idolized Jewish icons of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.
“A TRIUMPH. I TELL YOU TO GO! The most talked about new comedy of the season.” - Ben Brantley, The
New York Times
Contacts:
Media Contact:
Robert Piche- info@wjt.ca (204) 477-7515
Other contacts:
Kayla Gordon – Interim Artistic Director – kaylapgordon@gmail.com (204) 895-3358
Ari Weinberg - Incoming Artistic Director - ari@wjt.ca (647) 526-1855