Gallery Players Open 66th Season with BAD JEWS Tonight

Gallery Players opens its 66th season tonight, Sept. 6 with the Ohio premiere production of Joshua Harmon's play, Bad Jews, in the Roth-Resler Theater at the Jewish Community Center (JCC) of Greater Columbus, 1125 College Ave., Columbus. The curtain rises at 8 p.m.

Bad Jews, set in the Upper West Side of New York City, tells the story of and shares the complicated and the sometimes fiery relationships between three twenty-something adult Jewish cousins who are experiencing the realities and decisions required from the recent death of their grandfather, a Holocaust survivor.

Conflict arises when the cousins disagree on which of them should inherit their grandfather's treasured Chai necklace. The argument centers on Daphna Feygenbaum, who feels in touch with her Judaism, and Liam Haber, her cousin, who is not as religious, and the reasons why each believe they should take ownership of their grandfather's treasured heirloom. Making for added interest, included in the mix is Liam's new girlfriend, Melody, and his younger, Jonah.

The four member cast includes Paula Shtein as Daphna, Daniel Shtivelberg as Liam, Jordan Berman as Jonah and Kelly Hogan as Melody. They pitch forth a continuous banter that is both wild and emotional.

This comedic look at how a Jewish family mourns during changing times will raise questions about how we hold on to traditions, pass on our values, and honor our loved ones' memories.

Keely Kurtas-Chapman, a Columbus resident is directing the 90-minute production. Kurtas-Chapman has worked with Gallery Plasyers in the past as well as with Red Herring Theatre Ensemble, Actor's Theatre and Curtain Players. Show times (with no intermission) are: Saturdays, Sept. 6, 13 and 20 @ 8 p.m.; Sundays, Sept. 7, 14 and 21 @ 2:30 p.m., and Thursdays, Sept. 11 and 18 @ 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $15 for JCC members, $20 for nonmembers, $13 for senior members, $18 for senior nonmembers, $10 for children or students. Interested groups of 10 or more may purchase their tickets for $10 each.

Season subscriptions for Gallery Players 66th season are also currently on sale at a special Buy One Get One FREE offer and entitles the purchaser two tickets to all four Gallery players productions this season. Special prices for this offer, only available through Sept. 6, are $55 for JCC members and $70 for nonmembers.

Tickets may be purchased via cash, check, or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, and American Express) either at the JCC's front desk or online at www.jccgalleryplayers.org. For more information, call the Gallery Players office at (614) 559-6248.

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