On Stage Is new version of German passion play less inflammatory? Updated June 23, 2022 In medieval times, passion plays educated an illiterate populace about the trial, suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus while… By Miriam Zimmerman Jun 17, 2022
Theater Billy Crystal’s ‘Yiddish scat’ and other Jewish moments at the Tonys “Ella Fitzgerald, wherever you are, I apologize in advance.” Billy Crystal gave this year’s Tonys a jolt of Jewish shtick when he coaxed the audience into… By Andrew Lapin, JTA Jun 13, 2022
Talking With ... Q&A: A ‘little baby clown’ who loves to spread joy around the Bay Jack Weinstock prefers being behind the scenes. After getting interested in technical theater in high school, they majored in drama, with an emphasis in… By Andrew Esensten Jun 10, 2022
Theater ‘Ragtime’ in Mountain View puts spotlight on Jewish characters, actors Early in the musical “Ragtime,” actors playing Jewish, Italian and Haitian immigrants sing “A Shtetl Iz Amereke” upon arriving at Ellis Island. As the… By Andrew Esensten Jun 2, 2022
Dance Margaret Jenkins looks back on 50 years of pioneering modern dance Margaret Jenkins started dancing when she was just 4 years old. Now nearly 80 and a pioneer of West Coast dance, she has been both a witness to and leader… By Lillian Ilsley-Greene Jun 1, 2022
On Stage This Pleasanton teen is bringing drag shows to the suburban East Bay The joke in Brock Uhl’s family is that he’s been doing drag since he was 4 years old. On summer days, his older sister and cousins would doll him up in… By Andrew Esensten May 24, 2022
Theater Broadway’s new Evan Hansen is an Asian-American with mohel parents In a different world, Asian Jewish actor Zachary Noah Piser would’ve become an Olympic swimmer. “Before the age where everyone started growing, I was… By Evelyn Frick, Alma May 19, 2022
Theater ‘Funny Girl’ snubbed, but ‘Lehman’ stock rises, in Tony nominations Some of the biggest Jewish names on Broadway weren’t shining so bright in this year’s Tony nominations. The much-anticipated revival of “Funny Girl,” with… By Andrew Lapin, JTA May 12, 2022
Theater Cast your vote: Jewish Playwriting Contest comes to Bay Area A family of Jewish women connect over their shared grief and love of baking. A haredi woman adopts a biracial child after her marriage falls apart. A… By Andrew Esensten May 11, 2022