This month, The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol (806 San Marino Drive, The Villages, FL) kicks off its second season with a Central Florida Premiere of Bad Jews, the critically acclaimed and Outer Critics Circle Award Nominee by Joshua Harmon. Go behind the scenes with the cast in the videos below!
Set against the backdrop of 21st century Manhattan, Bad Jews asks questions about what you choose to believe when you're chosen. The patriarch of a Jewish family passes away, and three very different grandchildren gather at his funeral. When Liam brings home his shiksa girlfriend Melody and declares ownership of their grandfather's Chai necklace, a vicious and hilarious brawl over family, faith, and legacy ensues.
Playing the role of Liam is New York actor, playwright, and teacher Adam Lubitz. Prior to arriving at The Studio Theatre, Lubitz was a professor of Theatre History and also taught stage dialects at the New York Conservatory of Dramatic Arts. Adam holds a B.A. from Brown University, and a Master of Fine Arts from Columbia University's School of the Arts. His new musical that he titled, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz; Based on the Book by L. Frank Baum for a Post-Wicked Age," was produced in New York last year. Lubitz recently starred in the award-winning independent mystery, Nadia Knows, as well as NatGeo channel's I Am Legend: Phreaks and Geeks. After Bad Jews closes, Lubitz plans to re-mount his solo show in early 2018, titled, "It's Not The End of the World." Adam is a member of Actor's Equity Association.
Playing the role of Daphna is Rachel Comeau, who is an Orlando, Florida native. She went to Rollins College on a Priscilla Parker Performance Scholarship and graduated with a BA in Theatre Arts. She received Editor's Choice in BroadwayWorld as Best Actress in a Non Professional Play (Orlando) for Machinal. Comeau was also honored by BroadwayWorld with Best Lead Actress in a Play (Orlando) for Expecting Isabel at the Annie RussellTheatre. Comeau has performed throughout Central Florida and can be spotted in principal roles of Orlando films like Testament, Manifest Destiny, and The Rules. This will be Rachel's first time on The Studio Theatre's stage. After Bad Jews closes, she will head back to Orlando to play Mairead in The Lieutenant of Inishmore at the Winter Garden Theatre produced by Beth Marshall Presents. Then she will play the role of Catherine in A View from the Bridge at Mad Cow Theatre.
The cast also includes David Rowan playing the part of Jonah, and Lily E. Garnett as Melody. Orlando based actress Rachel Whittington will be understudying the female roles, while actor Bryan Jager will be understudying the male roles.
The Theatre Management and Creative Teams are composed of Artistic Director Whitney Morse, Producer Jason Goedken, Director Trevin Cooper, Set Designer Kenneth Constant, Lighting Designer Weston Corey, Assistant Lighting Designer Sarah McNamee, Costume Designer Meghan Kennedy, Technical Director Preston Speaker, Production Manager Danielle Paccione, Stage Manager Abigale Bobb, and Production Assistant/ Assistant Stage Manager Amber Sacks, as well as House Manager Grace Petty and Assistant House Manager Josh Kimball.
Bad Jews, by Joshua Harmon, runs at the The Studio Theatre Tierra Del Sol, 806 San Marino Dr. The Villages, FL, October 31 - December 3, 2017. For tickets, visit www.TheSharonStudio.com or call (352) 751-7799.
Videos