Varon, new play coming to Alameda synagogue

Charlie Varon, an award-winning playwright and performer, will give a sneak preview of his new play during “A Rabbi, Pickles and Tapas: A Night of Jewish Performance and Humor” next week at Temple Israel in Alameda.

In Varon’s latest play, “Rabbi Sam,” members of a fictional congregation clash over whether or not to hire a fiery rabbi who wants to reinvent American Judaism. Varon will be presenting an excerpt from the play, in which he plays 12 characters, including the rabbi and eight contentious board members.

A writer and performer for more than 30 years, Varon had his biggest hit with “Rush Limbaugh in Night School” in 1994.

Also on the program is “Never Turn the Pickle Barrel Sour,” an award-winning solo show by Mae Meidav, the artistic director and founder of the East Bay’s Brookside Repertory Theater. Meidav performs in a tale about a relationship and a pickle store.

In between acts, tapas and desserts will be served. Tickets are $35 and babysitting is available for $5 per child.

The program is set for Oct. 18 from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Temple Israel, 3183 Mecartney Road, Alameda. For more information, call (510) 522-9355 or visit www.templeisraelalameda.org.

Music gala for a good cause

The music of Brahms, Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky will be revisited in the Albert L. Shultz Jewish Community Center’s Annual Music Box Gala.

The fundraising event will include performances by local violinists, pianists and cellists, many of whom come from the local Russian Jewish community. Proceeds will benefit Israel’s Magen David Adom Society.

The event will take place 7 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Cubberley Community Center Theater, 4000 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. Tickets range from $15 to $18. For more information, call Boris Vladimirsky at (650) 852-3509 or visit www.paloaltojcc.org.

Jewish novelist’s work comes to S.F. stage

Intersection for the Arts in San Francisco will present the world premiere production of “Angry Black White Boy,” Dan Wolf’s stage adaptation of the Adam Mansbach novel. Combining theatrical storytelling, poetry, rap, beatboxing, ballet and hip-hop dance, the play stars Wolf, a playwright and noted Bay Area Jewish artist, as the title character. The play opens Oct. 23.

“Angry Black White Boy” satirizes the complexities of race and identity in America, as seen through the eyes of a young white man obsessed with righting the wrongs levied against African Americans throughout history.

The play runs Oct. 23 through Nov. 16 at Intersection for the Arts, 446 Valencia St., S.F. Tickets: $15-$25. Information: www.theintersection.org or (415) 626-3311.