LAKE WORTH, FL: An Honest Conversation between two friendly couples descends into a heated conflict, threatening their fledgling business venture, their friendship, and before the night is over, their marriages. Local journalist/playwright Mike Vogel’s newest play will have its World Premiere in the Stonzek Studio Theater at the Lake Worth Playhouse on December 11th. There will be four performances in total – two in December and two in February.
Vogel, a produced off-Broadway playwright, also writes opinion columns for the Sun Sentinel, Newsday, and other major publications. An Honest Conversation will be presented by A1A Theatrical Productions and will be directed by Arts Garage Artistic Director Michelle Diaz.
The play’s cast consists of Juan Gamero as Jason, Randy Coleman as Daryl, Gema Calero as Sonia, and Nakendra Tillman as Aisha.
“While clearly a drama, An Honest Conversation also has laugh-out-loud comedic moments woven throughout,” Vogel says. “Which is quite fitting for someone who has also written original material for numerous major comics, including Rodney Dangerfield!”
Tickets for An Honest Conversation are on sale now and are available online at https://lakeworthplayhouse.csstix.com/event-details.php?e=2509 or by phone at 561-586-6410. The Stonzek Studio Theater is located at 709 Lake Avenue in Lake Worth, Florida.
For more information about An Honest Conversation, to speak with Mike Vogel, or to arrange to attend a performance please contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244.
~
An Honest Conversation By Mike Vogel December 11 & 12 & February 19 & 20 Tickets: $42 Performance dates & times: Friday, December 11 at 7:30 pm Saturday, December 12 at 2 pm Friday, February 19 at 7:30 pm Saturday, February 20 at 2 pm Tickets: $42 Online: https://lakeworthplayhouse.csstix.com/event-details.php?e=2509 Box Office at 561-586-6410 All performances will take place in The Stonzek Studio Theatre at The Lake Worth Playhouse 709 Lake Avenue Lake Worth, FL 33460
Mike VogelGema CaleroJuan GameroNakendra TillmanRandy Coleman
LAKE WORTH, FL: Entr’Acte Theatrix has performed in venues up and down Palm Beach County for many years – from The Studio at Mizner Park, to the Willow Theatre, to the Crest Theatre at Old School Square and the Kravis Center, to the PGA Arts Center and the William G Skaff Center, just to name a few! But now, the peripatetic theatre company – which produces at least two family-friendly musicals a year, as well as some edgier fare – has finally found a permanent home of their own.
The company will take up residence once again in Lake Worth at 805 Lucerne Avenue and their first production, Cameron Mackintosh and Disney’s Mary Poppins – TheBroadway Musical will open there on November 13th and run through November 22nd.
“We are absolutely thrilled to make this announcement,” says Entr’Acte Theatrix founder and Executive Producer Vicki Halmos. “We have wandered around the County for far too many years; although we have been very lucky – our audiences have followed us wherever we’ve been – a permanent theatre of our own – that’s been our dream. This space, in the heart of Lake Worth, is just perfect for us. It’s small but extremely flexible, and it will allow us to expand in so many ways – rehearsal space will no longer be an issue, nor will performance days, times, and the length of our runs.
“We also intend to run classes, and to host other companies in when appropriate – there are too many theatre groups and far too few venues in in Palm Beach County; we hope we will be able provide some of our smaller local companies with performance space when we can,” Halmos says.
Entr’Acte Theatrix is an off-shoot of Vicki Halmos’ original theatre company, Palm Beach Principal Players, which was launched at the Creative Stage on Lucerne Avenue in 1999, so Entr’Acte has now come full circle and is back in Lake Worth. The company was developed to give young actors and theatre makers a chance to experience theatrical life – onstage and backstage. As the youngsters aged out, but wanted to continue, Entr’Acte evolved.
Mary Poppins, one of the most popular Disney movies of all time, captured the hearts of theatre audiences of all ages immediately when it opened as Mary Poppins – The Broadway Musical at the New Amsterdam Theatre in 2006. The show ran for over 2600 performances and received nominations for seven Tony Awards (and nine Olivier awards during its London run).
Based on the beloved books by P.L. Travers, the story focuses on young Jane and Michael Banks, who have sent many a nanny packing before Mary Poppins arrives on their doorstep. Using a combination of magic and common sense, she teaches the entire Banks family how to value each other again.
“I am so happy to take on the challenge of directing one of the most beloved stories in existence,” says the show’s director Carlo Sabusap. “Mary Poppins is about a family finding itself, finding its place in the world, about a father learning the importance of being a part of his family and not just the head of it, and realizing that his wife and children are more than just cogs in the clock. Mary Poppins comes in as a sort of mystical being who both challenges their dynamic and helps bring them closer to each other. I want to make sure that these characters are living breathing people – and that the audience will be fully immersed in their lives.
“Audiences will be close to the action and perhaps may even participate in some of it,” he continues. “I also want to make sure the show has a very hand-made feel. Everything seen on stage will be made with human hands, and in this age of generative A.I. taking away the creativity and thoughtfulness of what we see and consume these days, I feel it is important that the “brush strokes” of the artists in this production are evident, whether it be the individual choices of the performers on stage, or the props and sets. In fact, we pride ourselves on providing our audiences with an intimate, interactive and immersive theatrical experience.”
Sabusap has assembled a talented cast to create Mary Poppins’ magic: Carly Graefe will play Mary Poppins, and Elijah Rey will play Bert. Arabella Kostecki and Thalia Rodriguez are Jane and Michael Banks, and Greg Halmos and Jennifer Pedraza will take on the roles of George and Winnifred Banks. Other cast members include Sarah Glass as Katie Nana, Annie, and Ensemble, Nik Rosa as Robertson Ay and Neleus, Devra Seidel as Mrs. Brill and Mrs. Corry, Heidi Salonia as Mrs. Andrews and The Bird Woman, Ennalls Berl as The Bank Chairman and Admiral Boom, Alex Gomez as The Police Man, Mr. Von Hussler, and Ensemble, Luis Acosta as The Park Keeper, Mr. Northbrook, and Ensemble, and Alessia Prenda as Mrs. Lark, Valentine, and Ensemble. Shannon Harrell will understudy Mary Poppins.
Along with director Sabusap, the Mary Poppins production crew includes Music Director Aaliyah Hirt, Choreographer Nicole Dikun, Stage Manager Milo O’Connor, Technical Director Elizabeth Southwell, Sound Technician Noah Rubio, and Costume Coordinator Ennals Berl. The show’s producers are Vicki Halmos and Greg Halmos.
Cameron Mackintosh and Disney’s Mary Poppins – TheBroadway Musical will run from November 13 – 22 at Entr’Acte Theatrix’ brand new venue at 805 Lucerne Avenue in Lake Worth (33460). Tick ets range in price from $25 – $50 and are on sale now. They can be purchased online at https://palmbeachtheatre.org or by phone at 954-698-4939. (Please note: tickets purchased at the door will be $5 more).
For more information about Entr’Acte Theatrix and/or Cameron Mackintosh and Disney’s Mary Poppins – TheBroadway Musical, to speak with someone involved in the production, or to arrange to see a performance, please contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244.
~
Cameron Mackintosh and Disney’s Mary Poppins – The Broadway Musical Original Music and Lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman Book by Julian Fellowes New Songs and Additional Music and Lyrics by Anthony Drewe and George Stiles Co-created by Cameron Mackintosh November 13 – 22 Tickets: Front Row Immersive Seating – $45 online, $50 at the door Standard View Seating – $35 online, $40 at the door Value View Seating – $25 online, $30 at the door Groups of 10 or more get 10% off the total order For tickets:www.palmbeachtheater.org Phone: 954-698-4939 Performance Days/Times: Friday, November 13th at 7:30 pm Saturday, November 14th at 2:00 PM & 7:30 pm Sunday, November 15th at 2:00 PM & 7:30 pm Friday, November 20th at 7:30 pm Saturday, November 21st at 2:00 PM & 7:30 pm Sunday, November 22nd at 2:00 PM & 7:30 pm All performances will take place at 805 Lucerne Avenue Lake Worth, Florida 33460
Bridging Memory and Music: Silent Tears: The Last Yiddish Tango An Award-Winning Concert Based on the Poetry and Testimonies of Women of the Holocaust at the Duncan Theatre, November 12th
“Profound, extremely expressive… an unforgettable project, giving voice to those who lived through the hell of the Holocaust” Blogfoolk Magazine, Italy
PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL: The Art of Humanity, an organization dedicated to ‘transforming hate into hope’ and combatting antisemitism, Holocaust denial, and bigotry through the transformative power of the arts and education, will present Silent Tears: The Last Yiddish Tango for two performances only at Lake Worth’s Duncan Theatre on November 12th.
Canada’s world-renowned Payadora Tango Ensemble will perform this award-winning concert which features songs based on the poetry, testimonies, and writings of women who were victims – and survivors – of Holocaust atrocities. Set to music in the style of Polish tangos from the 1930s – the popular music of the era – the songs tell the stories of unimaginable loss, resilience and survival. Silent Tearsalso includes a number of works based on Holocaust survivor Molly Applebaum‘s diary and memoir, Buried Words. As a child, she was buried underground in a wooden box beneath a barn in occupied Poland. (Molly Applebaum is now 94 and living in Toronto.)
The Silent Tears project began when Dr. Paula David launched a poetry project to help survivors deal with long term trauma from the horrific crimes they had experienced during the Holocaust – some of which they hadn’t even told their own families.
Silent Tears won the Weltmusikpreis in Germany, reached #1 on World Music Charts Europe, won the 2024 Ontario Folk Music “Album of the Year” award, and “Producers of the Year” at the 2024 Canadian Folk Music Awards.
The concert will be performed in Yiddish, with English supertitles. Carolina Simon scholar, author, educator, and founding Executive Director of The Art of Humanity will conduct a talk- back after the 11:30 am performance, and professor, author, historian Dr. Robert Watson will do the same after the 7 pm performance.
Payadora is an award-winning chamber music ensemble that performs original compositions and arrangements drawn from Argentinian and Uruguayan tango and folk traditions. Made up of players who are each musical powerhouses in their own right, this “superstar group” combines deep knowledge of tango with classical, jazz, and world music backgrounds to create something entirely new. Founded in 2013 in Toronto, the ensemble has performed sold-out concerts across Canada, the United States, South America, and Europe — from Canada’s National Arts Centre to the Rudolstadt Festival in Germany, with a sold-out 2023 European tour that included a live-to-air BBC performance.
The Art of Humanity is building Silent Tears: The Last Yiddish Tango into a Palm Beach County Community Event through coordinated outreach with Jewish and non-Jewish organizations, educators, students, young professionals, Christian and interfaith communities, and the performing arts audience. Supported by community partners and cross-promotion across social media, email, print, and digital platforms, the campaign aims to bring people of different backgrounds, faiths, and generations together through Holocaust remembrance, education, music, poetry, and conversation—and a shared commitment to confronting antisemitism and hate.
For more information about Silent Tears: The Last Yiddish Tango, to speak with anyone involved in the production, or to arrange to attend a performance please contact Sheri Smith at sheri@purplehairdev.com / 561-254-5494 or Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244.
For more information about The Art of Humanity visit: https://www.theartofhumanity.org. For more information about the Payadora Tango Ensemble visit: https://payadora.com ~ Silent Tears – The Last Yiddish Tango Bridging Memory & Music Performed by the Payadora Tango Ensemble November 12 Performance times: 11:00 am & 7 pm Tickets: $36 Adults/$10 Students For tickets: https://ci.ovationtix.com/35256/production/1290996?performanceId=11867597 Both performances will take place at The Duncan Theatre 4200 South Congress Avenue Lake Worth, FL 33461
2026-2027 THEATRE PRODUCTION SCHEDULES for Entr’Acte Theatrix The Art of Humanity Boca Stage Hy Juter Presents My Son the Waiter
August 6, 2026
Below is a current list of some of my clients’ theatrical productions currently scheduled for the 2026-2027 season. As yet, tickets are not on sale for some of these productions. Please note that this list and these productions are subject to change, and that there will most likely be additions and rescheduling as time goes by! Please don’t hesitate to contact me should you need more information about any of these theatre companies and/or shows, would like to see a performance, or speak with anyone involved with any of these productions.
ENTR’ACTE THEATRIX
Mary Poppins – The Broadway Musical Original music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman Book by Julian Fellowes New songs and additional music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe Co-created by Cameron Mackintosh A musical based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney Film November 6 – 22, 2026 A ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’ entertainment is in store for audiences of all ages! Based on the books by P.L. Travers and the beloved Walt Disney Film, Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins – the Broadway Musical is an enchanting mixture of irresistible story, unforgettable songs, breathtaking dance numbers, and astonishing stage craft. Tickets will be on sale soon! For tickets: https://linktr.ee/entractetheatrix Performance days and times: Fridays at 7:30 pm Saturdays at 2 pm & 7:30 pm Sundays at 2 pm All performances will take place at The William G. Skaff Center 500 Spencer Drive West Palm Beach, FL 33409
THE ART OF HUMANTIY
Silent Tears – The Last Yiddish Tango Bridging Memory & Music Performed by the Payadora Tango Ensemble November 12, 2026 This award-winning production includes performances of songs based on poems, testimonies, and writings of women victimized during the Holocaust. The music – composed of Polish tangos that were performed in the 1930s – tells stories of survival, resilience, and terrible loss. Silent Tears – The Last Yiddish Tango began when Dr. Paula David launched a poetry project to help Holocaust survivors deal with long term trauma from horrific crimes. Silent Tearsalso includes a number of works based on Holocaust survivor Molly Applebaum’s diary and memoir, Buried Words. She’s now 94 and lives in Toronto. As a child, she was buried underground in a box on a farm in Dabrowa, Poland, with just a small hole to breathe. Silent Tears won the Weltmusikpreis in Germany, reached #1 onWorld Music Charts Europe, was album of the year at the Folk Music Ontario Awards, and won “Producers of the Year” at the 2024 Canadian Folk Music Awards. The program is performed in Yiddish with English supertitles. There will be a post-performance discussion led by Dr. Robert Watson. Tickets (on sale now): $36 Adults/$10 Students For tickets: https://www.theartofhumanity.org Performance times: 11:30 am & 7 pm All performances will take place at The Duncan Theatre 4200 South Congress Avenue Lake Worth, FL 33461
BOCA STAGE
A Human Being Died That Night By Nicholas Wright Based on the book by Pumla Godob-Madikizela Directed by Keith Garsson December 4 – 20, 2026 Eugene de Kock was a paid White political assassin nick-named “Prime Evil” for his crimes against anti-apartheid activists. While he was serving his multiple life sentences at Pretoria’s C-Max prison, Black psychologist Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela went to interview him. As she attempts to unravel De Kock’s psychology, their conversations – and the play – offer a rare, penetrating look at how one of the 20th century’s bloodiest regimes came to be and the agonizing path toward healing and compassion. Tickets: $45 For tickets: https://www.myboca.us/2649/A-Human-Being-Died-that-Night Phone: 561-347-3948 Performance days and times: Friday and Saturday at 7 pm Saturday and Sunday at 1 pm All performances will take place at The Willow Theatre in Sugar Sand Park 300 S. Military Trail Boca Raton, FL 33486
HY JUTER PRESENTS
To Life – The Grand Finale: Jewish Broadway to Hollywood Written, Directed, and hosted by Shari Upbin Musical Direction by Elliot Weiss January 15 – 31, 2027 A delightful evening filled with music and song and a wonderful combination of amusing anecdotes and fascinating facts about some of America’s most well-known, lauded, and popular Jewish composers and entertainers who created and/or performed in iconic Broadway musicals, Hollywood movies, and popular and pop music – and added immeasurably to the American Songbook. Featuring the music of Rodgers and Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim, Barbra Streisand, Jerome Kern, Simon and Garfunkel, and Marvin Hamlisch – just to name a few! Featuring Kate Delaney, Shelley Keelor, Ben Sandomir, and Shane Tanner. Tickets: $46 ($42 Group Rate – 6 or more tickets purchased in a single transaction) For tickets & Information: https://www.myboca.us/2647/To-Life-7-The-Grand-Finale Phone: 567-347-3948 Performance days and times: Friday and Saturday at 7 pm Saturday and Sunday at 1 pm All performances will take place at The Willow Theatre in Sugar Sand Park 300 S. Military Trail Boca Raton, FL 33486
MY SON THE WAITER: A Jewish Tragedy & STILL Not Famous
My Son the Waiter: A Jewish Tragedy& STILL Not Famous is the continuation of the story of comedian/actor/raconteur Brad Zimmerman’s struggle to fulfill his dream and ‘make it’ as a comedic actor in New York. One-part standup, one-part theatrical, and all parts uproarious, Zimmerman celebrates his 10th year on the road (with his original show, My Son the Waiter: A Jewish Tragedy) with this brand-new production – once again detailing his search for success in show business and “the parents who suffered through it”. My Son the Waiter: A Jewish Tragedy& STILL Not Famous By Brad Zimmerman January 21, 2027 Showtimes:2 pm & 7 pm Tickets: $45-$65 Phone: 1-561-586-6410 Online: https://www.mysonthewaiter.com The Lake Worth Playhouse 713 Lake Avenue Lake Worth, FL 33460
Boca Stage to present A Human Being Died That Night At the Willow TheatreDecember 4 – 20
“What is forgiveness… A scorching look at apartheid guilt” – The Guardian
“…quietly gripping…reveals in searing, sometimes heart-rending detail the atrocities committed by the South African police forces during the terrible years of apartheid.” – The New York Times
BOCA RATON, FL: Boca Stage will return to its roots with A Human Being Died That Night, Nicolas Wright’s searing and award-winning adaptation of Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela’s powerful account of her interviews with South Africa’s state-sanctioned mass murderer Eugene De Kock. The play will run at the Willow Theatre in Boca Raton from December 4th through December 20th, 2026.
Eugene de Kock was a paid White political assassin nick-named “Prime Evil” for his crimes against anti-apartheid activists. While he was serving his multiple life sentences at Pretoria’s C-Max prison, Black psychologist Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela went to interview him. As she attempts to unravel De Kock’s psychology, their conversations – and the play – offer a rare, penetrating look at how one of the 20th century’s bloodiest regimes came to be and the agonizing path toward healing and compassion.
A Human Being Died That Night – to be directed by Boca Stage founder Keith Garsson – will feature Carbonell and Silver Palm award-winner Rita Cole as psychologist Gobodo-Madikizela and veteran New York actor and South Florida favorite Steve Carroll as de Kock.
“This production perfectly highlights Boca Stage’s signature style of intense, dark, and highly personal stage dramas,” Garsson says. “The play becomes its own mystery in terms of unraveling how a family man could justify such errant behavior. It is enthralling to see how there are no easy answers as the play becomes a cat-and-mouse chase burrowing into the dark recesses of our minds.”
Tickets for A Human Being Died that Night will be on sale as of this summer and will be available online at https://www.myboca.us/2508/Willow-Theatre or by phone at 561-347-3948.
For more information about Boca Stage and A Human Being Died that Night, to speak with Keith Garsson, or to arrange to attend a performance please contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244.
In the attached photos Rita Cole Steve Carroll Keith Garsson Photos courtesy of the actors ~ A Human Being Died That Night By Nicholas Wright Based on the book by Pumla Godob-MadikizelaDirected by Keith Garsson December 4 – 20, 2026 Tickets: $45 For tickets: https://www.myboca.us/2508/Willow-Theatre Phone: 561-347-3948 Performance days and times: Friday and Saturday at 7 pm Saturday and Sunday at 1 pm All performances will take place at The Willow Theatre in Sugar Sand Park 300 S. Military Trail Boca Raton, FL 33486
(Click on each image to enlarge it, then right click on the enlarged image and ‘save image as’ or ‘copy image’)
WEST PALM BEACH, FL: Entr’Acte Theatrix will present Andrew Lloyd Webber’s award-winning, record-breaking, family friendly feline musical Cats at the William G Skaff Center in West Palm Beach from June 12th through the 28th.
Based upon Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, TS Eliot’s 1939 whimsical collection of poems that humorously describe the personalities and behaviors of various cats, the musical has won numerous awards, had one of the longest runs in Broadway history, and has been seen by millions around the world. A newly imagined version of the show – Cats: The Jellicle Ball – is currently enjoying a hit run on Broadway.
A completely sung and danced-through musical, Cats tells the story of a tribe of cats called The Jellicles, who have gathered to make ‘the Jellicle Choice’ – deciding which cat will be chosen to the ascend to the Heavyside Layer and come back to a new life.
“This show is a bit of a departure for us,” says Entr’Acte Theatrix’ founder and producer Vicki Halmos. “It’s a challenge we’re excited to take on, and we have found an incredibly talented cast who are confident, creative, and enthusiastic. They have embraced their feline personalities with great passion – it’s been a real treat to watch this show take shape.”
Cats’ Director/Choreographer is Amber Lebrun. Music Director is Aaliyah Hirt; Elizabeth Southwell will serve as the production’s Technical Director; the Production Stage Manager is Milo OConnor; and the Production Manager is Carlo Sabusap.
Lebrun’s talented cast of local actors includes Anneliese Wolfanger as Grizabella, Averi Cain as Jennyanydots / Ensemble, Keyla Zaltzburg as Victoria / Ensemble, Jacob Perry as Munkustrap, Shelby Tudor as Rumpleteazer / Ensemble, Brianna Taitt as Jellylorum / Ensemble, Samuel Zilberstein as Bustopher Jones / Ensemble, Joshua Ewers as Old Deuteronomy, Benjamin Helbling as Mungojerrie / Ensemble, Joseph Farrar as Skimbleshanks, Maya Suchy as Macavity / Bombalurina, Tysen Odeh as Mistoffelees / Ensemble, Desir Dumerjuste as Rum Tum Tugger, Greg Halmos as Gus the Theatre Cat, Nik Rosa as Rumpus Cat, Polina Sharova as Cassandra, Amber Lebrun as Demeter, and Aaliyah Hirt as Jemima.
Cats will run from June 12 – 28 at William G Skaff Center in West Palm Beach (500 Spencer Drive, WPB, 33409). Tickets range in price from $20 – $40 and are on sale now. They can be purchased online at https://linktr.ee/entractetheatrix or by phone at 561-833-7529. (Please note: tickets purchased at the door will be $5 more).
For more information about Entr’Acte Theatrix and/or Cats, please contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244.
~
Cats Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber Based on Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Elliot June 12 – 28, 2026 Tickets: $20/$30/$40 !0% off for groups of 10 or more Student Rush tickets are also available at the door ($15 with valid ID) For tickets: https://linktr.ee/entractetheatrix Performances: Friday, June 12th at 8 pm Saturday, June 13th at 2 pm & 8 pm Sunday, June 13th at 2 pm Friday, June 19th at 8 pm Saturday, June 20th at 2 pm & 8 pm Sunday, June 21st at 2 pm Friday, June 26th at 8 pm Saturday, June 27th at 2 pm & 8 pm Sunday, June 28th at 2 pm All performances will take place at The William G Skaff Center 500 Spencer Drive, West Palm Beach, FL 33409
(Click on each image to enlarge it, then right click on the enlarged image and ‘save image as’ or ‘copy image’)
Cats Rehearsal photos (photo credit: Carlo Sabusap)
AVENTURA, FL: On April 13th, 2026 in commemoration of International Holocaust Day, YI Love Jewish founder and CEO Avi Hoffman along with Maestro Aaron Kula and his Klezmer Company Jazz Orchestra will present God & The Holocaust, a stunning multi-media musical concert at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center.
This stirring performance will delve into the profound and complex bond between Jews and their God, as depicted through the haunting music and literature born of the Holocaust. Drawing deeply from the words and melodies of legendary Jewish and Yiddish playwrights, poets, and authors, the concert will feature songs and stories that echo with heartbreak, resilience, and hope.
YI Love Jewish and the Yiddishkayt Initiative, founded by Hoffman and his mother, Professor Miriam Hoffman is a not-for-profit organization that utilizes the performing arts, education, language, literature, and publishing to challenge antisemitism, and to celebrate and promote Jewish history, life, and culture and their far-reaching impact on the world.
Carbonell Award-winning actor Avi Hoffman has been awarded Congressional recognition, was invited to the Vatican to meet Pope Francis, and was inducted into the Bronx Jewish Hall of Fame for his lifetime work advancing Jewish culture, Yiddishkayt, and Holocaust awareness through the organization he founded – Yiddishkayt Initiative, Inc. (YILoveJewish.org). As an actor, he was nominated for a NY Drama Desk Award for his Yiddish language portrayal of Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman. He is well known for his Too Jewish Trilogy: Award winning one man shows Too Jewish, Too Jewish, Too! (PBS, Performer of the Year ’95 – NY Press Magazine; L.A. OVATION award – Best Actor in a Musical 2001; NY Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle award nominations) and Still Jewish After All These Years. On TV, he was featured as Sid Raskin in the Starz TV series Magic City, as well as on Netflix’ Bloodline, A&E’s The Glades and on the NBC series Law and Order. Avi has performed all over the world, has numerous acting and directing credits and has received multiple awards and nominations.
Aaron Kula is a nationally recognized conductor, educator, composer, accordionist, and producer. He is a Fulbright Music Specialist; in 2018 he was awarded a grant to lecture in Israel, with appearances at the U.S. Embassy, Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, and music conservatories in the Negev and Western Galilee. Maestro Kula’s interdisciplinary career in classical, jazz, and folk music led him to form the award-winning genre bending Klezmer Company Jazz Orchestra in 1997. He is an innovator of concert programming, and has conducted concert performances of multiple Broadway musicals, including My Fair Lady, Funny Girl, Fiddler on the Roof, and South Pacific. He is currently Artist in Residence at the Levis Jewish Community Center in Boca Raton, and Artist Liaison for Community Engagement for the Elevar Foundation.
God & The Holocaust will take place at 8 pm on Monday, April 13th at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at https://tinyurl.com/ms2xd5xw. Tickets range in price from $23 – $89.
For more information about God & The Holocaust, to speak with anyone involved in the event, or to attend the performance, please contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244.
(Click on each image to enlarge it, then right click on the enlarged image and ‘save image as’ or ‘copy image’)
BOCA RATON, FL: The legendary National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene (NYTF) will join forces with B’nai Torah Congregation to unveil the Boca Raton premiere of Rising Stars – a thrilling showcase celebrating the vibrant future of Yiddish culture featuring a group of breathtakingly talented young performers.
The performance, which will take place at B’nai Torah Congregation on Sunday, March 22nd at 2 pm, will feature internationally acclaimed conductor/composer/pianist Zalmen Mlotek, Artistic Director of NYTF, along with special guest star Cantor Magda Fishman, who will serve as the musical director and featured vocalist for the event, bringing her powerful, soulful voice to the B’nai Torah stage.
However, at the heart of the event are the true “rising stars” themselves: Yair Keydar, Margot Weintraub, Riki Rose, and Mia Twill, a remarkable group of young performers proudly rooted in their Jewish heritage and already headed toward Broadway, concert halls, and other major stages. Their energy, talent, and emotional connection to their material promises an afternoon of joy, nostalgia, and inspiration for audiences of all ages.
Yair Keydar is a 12-year-old musical theater prodigy who gained national attention as a standout contestant in the Music Juniors category of Netflix’s reboot of “Star Search,” where his powerful voice and charismatic stage presence repeatedly impressed the celebrity judges and audiences. The son of cantor Magda Fishman, he has performed with his mother since early childhood in synagogues and at concerts, experiences that helped shape his Star Search success and emerging New York stage career.”
Margot Weintraub is an up and coming actress appearing in Off-Broadway productions and television, known for her talent, stage presence, and growing work in theater and on screen; Riki Rose is a Yiddish singer and entertainer from the Satmar community in Williamsburg, known for her powerful voice and viral hit “Utem Arein Utem Arois” (“Breathe In, Breathe Out”’; and Mia Twill is a budding violinist with heart.
“Rising Stars is more than a performance – it’s a beacon for Yiddishkayt’s enduring legacy,” says Avi Hoffman, award-winning actor and founder of Yiddishkayt Initiative. “Partnering with B’nai Torah and NYTF, we’re empowering youth to carry the torch of our rich cultural heritage forward.”
Rising Stars will take place on Sunday, March 22nd at 2 pm at B’nai Torah Congregation in Boca Raton. The synagogue is located at 6261 SW 18th Street, Boca Raton, FL 33433. Tickets to the event range in price from $36 to $54 and are available online at https://www.btcboca.org/rising-stars.
For more information about Rising Stars, to speak with anyone involved in the event, or to attend the performance, please contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244.
About National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene
NYTF, America’s longest-running Yiddish theater company, champions Jewish culture through innovative performances, concerts, and educational programs that reach audiences around the globe.
About B’nai Torah Congregation
B’nai Torah is a vibrant hub for Jewish life in Boca Raton, fostering spirituality, learning, music, and community through dynamic services, events, and renowned concert series.
~
Rising Stars – Presenting the Next Generation of Yiddish Voices Presented by National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene & B’nai Torah Congregation Sunday, March 22nd at 2 pm Tickets: $54 (Premium Seating) / $36 (General Admission) / $40 (Virtual) For tickets: https://www.btcboca.org/rising-stars Or Call: 561-392-8566 The performance will take place at B’nai Torah Congregation 6261 SW 18th Street Boca Raton, FL 33433
Damaged Furniture Howard Skora’s Dark Comedy Opens at the Willow Theatre March 6th
“… you can understand your family, still think they’re insane, and yet forgive them…. Skora’s dialogue is full of zingers and deliciously rendered snark.” Paul Birchall – Stage Raw
BOCA RATON, FL: Boca Stage returns to the Willow Theatre with Damaged Furniture, Howard Skora’s outrageously funny dark comedy about a totally dysfunctional Brooklyn family. The production will open on March 6th and run through March 15th. The play received multiple awards and nominations when it debuted in Los Angeles in 2018.
When Doug Elling receives word that his beloved uncle has died in an unexpected – and bizarre – accident, he rushes from Los Angeles to Brooklyn and finds himself at the center of his family’s efforts to salvage their furniture business. An alcoholic father, his ‘happy-face’ mother, his recently widowed aunt and his therapist sister all add to the chaos surrounding Doug as he tries to balance the demands upon his future.
“We are now back at the glorious Willow Theater in Sugar Sand Park where we started over twenty years ago as The Boca Raton Theater Guild,” says the show’s producer/director Keith Garsson. “Although we have had several successful seasons elsewhere, we are happy to be returning to our original venue – and to our original mission – which was to produce shows on an a la carte basis rather than committing to a full season. This enables us to curate new work more finely.
“Howie Skora is a talented young playwright who has said the play is semi-autobiographical,” Garsson continues. “And we wanted a straight (and twisted) comedy that was fresh, “now” and relevant,” he continues. “Well… it is set in Bensonhurst! But, either way, Damaged Furniture is a comedy for today, a character-based piece that reflects how fast we are these days to say exactly what we are thinking…the moment we think it!”
Garsson has cast Bruno Faria as Doug, with Valerie diLorenzo as Laurie, Sharon Pfieffer as Gina, Liz DeBeer as Irene, Shane Tanner as Phil, and Susan Lloyd as Jo.
The Stage Managers for the production are Nicole Roach, Guiliana Barioli, and Hannah Hayley. Lighting Design is by Nicole Roach and Laura Fulton. Sound is by David Hart, Costumes are by Tim Charles Bowman, and the set will be designed and constructed by the MNM Scenic Shop.
For more information about Boca Stage and Damaged Furniture, to speak with Keith Garsson, orto arrange to attend a performance, please contact Carol Kassie at carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244.
~
Damaged Furniture by Howard Skora March 6-15, 2026 Tickets: $40/$35 Groups (six or more tickets purchased in a single transaction) For tickets: https://www.myboca.us/2649/Damaged-Furniture Phone: 561-347-3948 Performance days and times: Friday and Saturday at 7 pm Saturday and Sunday at 1 pm All performances will take place at The Willow Theatre in Sugar Sand Park 300 S. Military Trail Boca Raton, FL 33486
(Click on each image to enlarge it, then right click on the enlarged image and ‘save image as’ or ‘copy image’)
Production photos by Amy Pasquantonio.
Bruno FariaShane TannerValerie DiLorenzoSusan LloydLiz DeBeerSharon Pfeiffer
AVENTURA, FL: Award-winning actor, singer, author, raconteur, and South Florida favorite Avi Hoffman will return to the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center to celebrate its 15th birthday, with two of his most popular productions: he will perform his one person shows Avi Hoffman’sToo Jewish? (the very first show to be performed on the Cultural Center’s stage in October 2010) on Wednesday, March 4th at 8 pm and Still Jewish After All These Years: A Life in the Theatre, a celebration of his life in show business at 8 pm on Thursday, March 5th. Hoffman will be accompanied by Phil Hinton at both performances.
Avi Hoffman’s Too Jewish? premiered Off-Broadway at New York’s Houseman Theatre in 1994 and has been presented thousands of times all over the world, as well as on the national PBS network. Hoffman, a child of Holocaust survivors, was taught at an early age to appreciate the beauty and depth of Jewish literature, music, and tradition. In Avi Hoffman’sToo Jewish? he combines a delightful mix of music, comedy, impersonations, and personal reminiscences to take his audiences on a journey through his own Jewish roots, and to illustrate the traditions and history of his beloved Yiddish culture.
In Still Jewish After All These Years, Hoffman will invite audiences on a casual and intimate tour of his multifaceted career and his extraordinary life in show business. Filled with songs and stories, reminiscences of performances, encounters with greats… and not so greats, Hoffman’s Still Jewish… will, entertain, move, and resonate with everyone.
Carbonell Award-winning actorAvi Hoffman has been awarded Congressional recognition, was invited to the Vatican to meet Pope Francis, and was inducted into the Bronx Jewish Hall of Fame for his lifetime work advancing Jewish culture, Yiddishkayt, and Holocaust awareness through the organization he founded – Yiddishkayt Initiative, Inc. (YILoveJewish.org). As an actor, he was nominated for a NY Drama Desk Award for his Yiddish language portrayal of Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman. He is well known for his Too Jewish Trilogy: Award winning one man shows Too Jewish, Too Jewish, Too! (PBS, Performer of the Year ’95 – NY Press Magazine; L.A. OVATION award – Best Actor in a Musical 2001; NY Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle award nominations) and Still Jewish After All These Years. On TV, he was featured as Sid Raskin in the Starz TV series Magic City, as well as on Netflix’ Bloodline, A&E’s The Glades and on the NBC series Law and Order. Avi has performed all over the world, has numerous acting and directing credits and has received multiple awards and nominations.
Avi Hoffman’s Too Jewish? and Still Jewish After All These Years will be performed on March 4th (Too Jewish?) and March 5th (Still Jewish…) at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. The theatre is located at 3385 NE 188th Street, in Aventura, Florida (33180). Both performances will take place at 8 pm.
Tickets for both performances range in price from are $53-$59. Tickets may be purchased online at https://www.aventuracenter.org.
For more information about Avi Hoffman or either performance, please contact Carol Kassie (carol@carolkassie.com / 561-445-9244).
In the attached photo: Avi Hoffman Photo credit: Bachi Frost
~
Avi Hoffman’s Too Jewish? March 4th at 8 pm Created and performed by Avi Hoffman Tickets: $53-$59 Direct ticketing link: https://www.aventuracenter.org/events/detail/avi-hoffman-too-jewish-2026 The performance will take place at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center 3385 NE 188th Street Aventura, FL 33180 Avi Hoffman’s Still Jewish After All These Years March 5th at 8 pm Created and performed by Avi Hoffman Direct ticketing link: https://www.aventuracenter.org/events/detail/avi-hoffman-still-jewish-2026 The performance will take place at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center 3385 NE 188th Street Aventura, FL 33180
(Click on each image to enlarge it, then right click on the enlarged image and ‘save image as’ or ‘copy image’)
