GOOD FOR THE JEWS
By Daniel Kitrosser, Alex Marcus, Alix Rosenfeld and Alanna J. Smith
It’s time for a little Jewish joy! Theatre Ariel presents an evening of short plays by local playwrights, all inspired by the theme, “Good for the Jews.” Join us for happy news, a laugh or two, and perhaps a few insights. Trust us: it’ll be good for you.
March 1st, 8 pm - Congregation Beth Am Israel
March 2nd, 7 pm - Adath Israel
March 8th 8 pm - Old City Jewish Arts Center
March 9th, 1 pm - Folkshul*
* Presented in partnership with Folkshul and
PROGRAM
SALON ARIEL 2024 - 2025 is Generously Sponsored by Susan and Len Lodish
Cast:
Will Stephen Connell
Janis Dardaris
David Ingram
Leah Walton
Writers:
Dan Kitrosser
Alex Marcus
Alix Rosenfeld
Alanna J. Smith
Directed by Jesse Bernstein
BIOGRAPHIES
Jesse Bernstein (Director) is the Artistic Director of Theatre Ariel – but began his involvement with the theatre as a writer and performer of his solo show Ethics of the Fathers. Over 35 years, he has performed at the New York Shakespeare Festival, the Berkshire Theatre Festival, the Arden Theatre Company, Ventura Theatre Company and the Walnut Street Theatre Company among others. In 1999, he originated the role of Reuven in Aaron Posner and Chaim Potok’s stage adaptation of The Chosen. For Theatre Ariel, he has appeared in Ethics of the Fathers, The Scribe, The Wanderers and Morning Star (collaboration with PAC). His TV credits include appearances on Law & Order, Veronica Mars and Days of Our Lives. www.iamjessebernstein.com
Dan Kitrosser (playwright, Marsha Blavotnick and the Magical, Mystical Soup) is an award-winning playwright, screenwriter and storyteller. He cowrote the screenplay for We the Animals with Jeremiah Zagar which premiered at Sundance Film Festival 2018, winning the NEXT: Innovator Award, Best Narrative at OutFest 2018 and is nominated for 5 Independent Spirit Awards and a GLAAD Award. His plays include Tar Baby (First Fringe Award, Edinburgh Fringe, and an Amnesty International Citation for Excellence), Dead Special Crabs(monologues published in Smith & Kraus Best Men’s and Women’s…) and The Mumblings (optioned for TV series by FOX) and the award-winning solo show HOMOS! A Solo Disaster Musical, bitch which has residency in the historic and iconic Stonewall Inn in New York. Dan is currently writing the screen adaptation of Joshua Cohen's pulitzer prize winning novel The Netanyahus for Cold Iron Productions and The Public Record. You can hear him on his critically acclaimed iHeratRadio podcast SVETLANA! SVETLANA! (named a Best Podcast of 2023 by Vulture Magazine). He teaches screenwriting at Temple University and lives in South Philadelphia with his husband Jordan and narcissistic pitbull, Gemma.
.png)
Alex Marcus (playwright, Opening, closing and interstitials) has written nonfiction for publications including The A.V. Club, Slate, and Philadelphia City Paper. His play Waiting for Ganol won an audience choice award in the 2023 Philly Fringe Festival. Alex graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and has studied writing and performance at the UCB Theatre, Philly Improv Theater, and Primary Stages.
Alix Rosenfeld (playwright, Scared Sacred Time) is a writer and multi-hyphenate theatre artist specializing in dramaturgy, playwriting, and performance. Theatre includes: Regional and international work with such companies as the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, and the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, Ireland. Select dramaturgy credits: Hold These Truths, Shakespeare In Love (People’s Light), Box Clever, (Inis Nua Theatre Company), and The Merchant of Venice (Delaware Shakespeare). She is a contributing writer to The Philadelphia Inquirer, HuffPost, American Theatre, HowlRound, The Flashpaper, and Broad Street Review. Training: B.A. in Drama from Vassar College, M.A. in Theatre from Villanova University, M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Antioch University. www.alixrosenfeldwriter.com
Alanna J. Smith (playwright, Lois, Enough) is a Jewish writer/performer, inspired by the hilarity and disillusionment of everyday life. Feminism, Humor, Jewish themes abound. Her screenplay ‘A Wedding at Winterbury’ was a finalist with Reel One Entertainment’s “Write a Rom-Com Competition” and is currently in development with 1111 Film Group. As a performer, you know her from Amazon Freevee’s Rom-Com 'Love Afloat’, and her recurring role on 'Power Book II: Ghost’ (STARZ). She also has a role in the Emmy-nominated feature film 'Chang Can Dunk’ (Disney+). Most recently, she appeared in Theatre Ariel’s The God of Isaac, fresh off playing Hodel in the LA Revival of Fiddler on the Roof starring Jason Alexander. www.alannajsmith.me @alannajsmith
Will Stephen Connell is a Philadelphia-based performer who has appeared on various stages throughout the country, including Paper Mill Playhouse, Walnut Street Theatre, Fulton Theatre, Delaware Theatre Company, and more. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, he recently portrayed Frankie Valli in the hit musical Jersey Boys at the Walnut Street Theatre. Other credits include Fiddler on the Roof, Jesus Christ Superstar, Saturday Night Fever, to name a few. Will is also a featured vocalist with the Summer Club, a seventeen-piece big band that plays across the Pennsylvania area. Thanks to all involved! Instagram: @awillandaway
Janis Dardaris Most recently: Cyrano de Bergerac, Quintessence Theatre, Hedgerow Theatre, Montgomery Theatre Co., Wilma Theatre, InterAct, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Arden Theatre, People’s Light. Regional: McCarter Theatre, Pittsburgh Public, Long Wharf, Cleveland Playhouse, Woolly Mammoth, Kennedy Center, Arizona Theatre, Three Rivers Shakespeare, Actors’ Theatre of Louisville’s Humana Festival. New York: Playwrights Horizons, New York Classical Theatre, Westbeth, Summer Play Festival on Theatre Row, National Tour, Breaking Legs, Nominated for 10 Barrymore awards won best actress Moon for the Misbegotten, best supporting, Scorched. TV and Film: The Sixth Sense, Party Monster, Third Watch, Trial by Jury, Law and Order, The Sopranos, Bliss, 1967, the lead in Sounding directed by Joel Coen, Featured in The Chosen as Zohara, Film and TV: Power, Bull and Grow an unconventional horror film due for release later this year.
David Ingram: Company Member of People’s Light: America 2am, Moon Over Buffalo, Bach at Leipzig, Noises Off, Tuesdays with Morrie, I Have Before Me ..., End Days, Once in a Lifetime, The Skin of Our Teeth, A Flea in Her Ear, Hard Times, Midons, and many more. Theatre Includes: Clybourne Park, Death of a Salesman (Arden Theatre); Cherokee (The Wilma); Laughter on the 23rd Floor and Our Show of Shows (1812 Productions); The Tempest (Act II Playhouse); Tartuffe, Three Sisters, Measure for Measure (Temple Rep); Some Other Kind of Person, The Rant (InterAct); The Government Inspector (Lantern Theater). Training: MFA (NYU). David is on the Theater Faculty at Temple University.
Leah Walton is a Philadelphia-based, AEA member, and has performed with local theatre companies including Philadelphia Theatre Company, Walnut Street Theatre, Arden Theatre, Delaware Theatre Company, People’s Light, 1812 Productions, Theatre Horizon, InterAct, Pig Iron, and more. She has performed Off-Broadway at Ars Nova, and is a Barrymore Award recipient and nominee. Teaching credits include Swarthmore College, Temple University, University of the Arts, Arden, Walnut, HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy, Acting Without Boundaries, and privately. Leah trained with the National Theater Institute, the Moscow Art Theatre School, the Michael Chekhov Association, and is a graduate of Temple University’s MFA Acting program.
Thank You To Our Community Partners
.png)
