Smash Comedy BAD JEWS Coming to Sydney's Seymour Centre

Aleksandar Vass and Vass Theatre Group are excited to announce the Broadway and West End hit BAD JEWS will have its Sydney premiere at the Everest Theatre at the Seymour Centre in May. The all-Australian production of BAD JEWS which enjoyed a sellout season in Melbourne last year, will play from 18 May - 4 June. Tickets are on sale now from Seymour Centre and Ticketek.

The play has been widely embraced by the Jewish community and, indeed, by audiences in general, in both the US, UK and more recently in Melbourne. Due to popular demand, the critically acclaimed, all-Australian production, BAD JEWS will play a return season in Melbourne before the season in Sydney and then touring to Brisbane and Perth.

"Aussies have such a broad sense of humour, and even though the play takes place within the confines of a New York Jewish family, their story could be any family that has, shall we say, relatives we love and loathe ... at the same time," said Australian Producer, Aleksandar Vass.

"BAD JEWS was a massive hit in New York in addition to the multiple touring companies across the US. In the UK, it's still running in a sell-out season and we similarly had that success in Melbourne. Only shows that strike a chord with audiences enjoy such broad success.

"It is an edgy, black comedy that doesn't play it safe and I think they are the types of shows that Australian audiences respond to."

BAD JEWS was a sell out at the Ustinov Studio in Bath when it made its UK premiere early 2014, earning huge critical acclaim and selling out its London season at the St. James Theatre. It was the hottest show in New York when it premiered in 2013, with the New York Post calling BAD JEWS, "gleefully entertaining" and the New York Times hailing the show, "the best comedy of the season".

Written by New York playwright Joshua Harmon, BAD JEWS is a story about family relationships, cultural identity, as well as grief, loss and legacy. It's a devastatingly funny battle of Old Testament proportions!

Their beloved grandfather has died and a treasured family heirloom with religious significance is up for grabs in the Feygenbaum family. But who is most deserving of it? Bossy, overbearing, fanatically religious Daphna, who swears she is the most devout Jew in her family? Her wealthy, less observant cousin Liam, who's just returned from skiing with his non-Jewish girlfriend, Melody? Or Jonah, Liam's brother, who would prefer not to get involved in the fight?

A cramped Manhattan apartment becomes the setting for a viciously hilarious quarrel about family, faith and legacy as the contenders set at each other's throats on the night after the funeral.

BAD JEWS features a tremendously talented Australian cast. Starring as the domineering Daphna is Maria Angelico (Danny and the Deep Blue Sea, Under a Red Moon, Hating Alison Ashley, Wentworth, Rush, City Homicide, We Can Be Heroes). Simon Corfield (Packed to the Rafters, COPS, Crownies, The Birth of Creation, Songs for the Fallen) stars as Liam while his 'shiksa' girlfriend, Melody, is played by Anna Burgess (39 Steps, God of Carnage, Goodbye Miss Monroe, The Producers, Waiting for Godot, Neighbours, Last Man Standing, Thank God You're Here). Matt Whitty (Foxfinder, About Tommy, Penelope) plays Jonah.

Directed by Gary Abrahams, BAD JEWS' creatives include Designer Jacob Battista, Lighting Designer Rob Sowinski, Sound Design by Dave Ellis, Costumes by Kelsey Henderson. The play is produced by Aleksandar Vass (Executive Producer and General Manager - Helen Ellis) in conjunction with the VASS Theatre Group, Richard Fitzgerald Artistic Director and General Manager.

Sydney's strictly limited season from 18 May. Tickets on sale now from Seymour Centre and Ticketek.

Photo Credit: Jeff Busby

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