History
Founded in 1990 as a program of the Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center (EDCJCC), Theater J has become “the nation’s most prominent Jewish theater” (American Theatre Magazine). Theater J began with a series of staged readings and productions in 1990 under the leadership of founding Artistic Director Martin Blank. Theater J’s initial home was a 50-seat black box theater at 1836 Jefferson Place, NW, the original home of the EDCJCC. In 1993, Artistic Director Randye Hoeflich took the helm, producing the first full season and preparing the theater to move to a larger, permanent home.
In 1997, the EDCJCC moved into its current space, the Irwin P. Edlavitch Building, at 1529 Sixteenth Street, NW, which housed a newly built 238-seat proscenium theater, named for Aaron and Cecile Goldman. Ari Roth was brought on as Artistic Director after the move, growing the theater during his eighteen-year tenure from an annual budget of under $100,000 to a budget of well over a million and a half dollars. During that time, Theater J earned an international reputation as the nation’s premier Jewish theater. In 2005, The New York Times recognized the quality of Theater J’s new play development programs, hailing it as “the premiere theater for premieres.” Theater J also became known for producing work from and about Israel and the Middle East, with the signature Voices from a Changing Middle East Festival.
Artistic Director Adam Immerwahr joined the theater in 2015 and left mid-2022. Under his leadership, Theater J strived to present a wide variety of recognizable, under-explored, and brand new works from the Jewish theatrical cannon, plays that often investigate stories of immigration, language, assimilation, oppression, religion, and otherness, and extended a heartfelt invitation to our community to better understand what it means to be Jewish. The 2016-2017 season was the first season under Immerwahr’s programming. 2017 was the inaugural year of the Yiddish Theater Lab, which aims to revitalize the great works of Yiddish theater and make them relevant to modern audiences.
30th Anniversary History Report
Written in celebration of Theater J’s 30th Anniversary in 2020, this special report brings together oral histories, testimonials, facts and figures, historic photos, and our production history for the first time.
Production History
BECOMING DR. RUTH
Written by Mark St. Germain, Directed by Holly Twyford
TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE
Written by Jeffrey Hatcher and Mitch Albom, Based on the book by Mitch Albom, Directed by Jenna Place
THE KINSEY SICKS’ OY VEY IN A MANGER
COMPULSION OR THE HOUSE BEHIND
Written by Rinne B. Groff, Directed by Johanna Gruenhut
NATHAN THE WISE
Written by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Adapted by Michael Bloom, Directed by Adam Immerwahr
FIRES IN THE MIRROR: CROWN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN AND OTHER IDENTITIES
Conceived, written, and originally performed by Anna Deavere Smith, Co-directed by Adam Immerwahr and January LaVoy
INCIDENT AT VICHY (Cancelled due to COVID-19)
Written by Arthur Miller, directed by Joe Calarco
TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE (Postponed to 21/22 Season)
By Jeffrey Hatcher and Mitch Albom, based on the book by Mitch Albom, directed by Jenna Duncan
OLD STOCK: A REFUGEE LOVE STORY (Cancelled due to COVID-19)
By Hannah Moscovitch, Ben Caplan, and Christian Barry, directed by Christian Barry
NATHAN THE WISE (Postponed to 21/22 Season)
By Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, adapted by Michael Bloom, directed by Adam Immerwahr
Produced in association with Folger Theatre
THE RED BEADS (Cancelled due to COVID-19)
By Rinne B. Groff, based on THE SINGER OF HIS SORROWS by Osip Dymov as adapted by Adrian Guo-Silver and Rinne B. Groff from a translation by Adrian Guo-Silver, directed by Johanna Gruenhut
FIRES IN THE MIRROR: CROWN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN, AND OTHER IDENTITIES (Postponed to 21/22 Season)
Conceived, Written, and Originally Performed by Anna Deavere Smith, Co-directed by Adam Immerwahr and January LaVoy
LOVE SICK
Written and adapted by Ofra Daniel, Music by Ofra Daniel and Lior Ben-Hur, directed by Christopher Renshaw, choreographed by Matt Cole, and Music Direction by Ali Paris
Edward Albee’s OCCUPANT
Directed by Aaron Posner
SHELTERED
By Alix Sobler, directed by Adam Immerwahr
THE WANDERERS
By Anna Ziegler, directed by Amber McGinnis
BECOMING DR. RUTH (Postponed to 21/22 Season)
By Mark St. Germain, directed by Holly Twyford
FIRES IN THE MIRROR: CROWN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN, AND OTHER IDENTITIES (Postponed to 21/22 Season)
Conceived, Written, and Originally Performed by Anna Deavere Smith, Co-directed by Adam Immerwahr and January LaVoy
THE PIANIST OF WILLESDEN LANE
Based on the book The Children of Willesden Lane by Mona Golabek and Lee Cohen, adapted and directed by Hershey Felder
ACTUALLY
By Anna Ziegler, directed by Johanna Gruenhut
TALLEY’S FOLLY
By Lanford Wilson, directed by Aaron Posner
THE JEWISH QUEEN LEAR
Jacob Gordin’s Mirele Efros, English translation by Nahma Sandrow, Directed by Adam Immerwahr
SOTTO VOCE
By Nilo Cruz, Directed by José Carrasquillo
THE LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO
By Alfred Uhry, Directed by Amber McGinnis
Jonathan Safran Foer’s
EVERYTHING IS ILLUMINATED
Adapted by Simon Block, Directed by Aaron Posner
BECOMING DR. RUTH
By Mark St. Germain, Directed by Holly Twyford
ROZ AND RAY
By Karen Hartman, Directed by Adam Immerwahr
TRAYF
By Lindsay Joelle, Directed by Derek Goldman
THE LAST SCHWARTZ
By Deborah Zoe Laufer, Directed by Adam Immerwahr
THE CHRISTIANS
By Lucas Hnath, Directed by Gregg Henry
OY VEY IN A MANGER
Written and performed by The Kinsey Sicks
COPENHAGEN
By Michael Frayn, Directed by Eleanor Holdridge
THE HOW AND THE WHY
By Sarah Treem, Directed by Shirley Serotsky
BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS
By Neil Simon, Directed by Matt Torney
BROKEN GLASS
By Arthur Miller, Directed by Aaron Posner
QUEENS GIRL IN THE WORLD
A World Premiere by Caleen Sinnette Jennings, Directed by Eleanor Holdridge
SONS OF THE PROPHET
By Stephen Karam, Directed by Gregg Henry
STARS OF DAVID: STORY TO SONG
Based on the book by Abigail Pogrebin, Conceived by Aaron Harnick and Abigail Pogrebin
Directed by Shirley Serotsky
THE SISTERS ROSENSWEIG
By Wendy Wasserstein, Directed by Kasi Campbell
FALLING OUT OF TIME
Based on the novel by David Grossman, Translation by Jessica Cohen
Adapted and Directed by Derek Goldman
THE BODY OF AN AMERICAN
By Dan O’Brien, Directed by José Carrasquillo
ANOTHER WAY HOME
By Anna Ziegler, Directed by Shirley Serotsky
YENTL
Based on Isaac Bashevis Singer’s short story “Yentl, the Yeshiva Boy”
Adapted by Leah Napolin and Isaac Bashevis Singer
With new music and lyrics composed by Jill Sobule, additional music and lyrics by Robin Eaton
Directed by Shirley Serotsky
THE INTELLIGENT HOMOSEXUAL’S GUIDE TO CAPITALISM AND SOCIALISM WITH A KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES
By Tony Kushner, Directed by John Vreeke
LIFE SUCKS (OR THE PRESENT RIDICULOUS)
A World Premiere written and Directed by Aaron Posner, An Irreverent Variation On Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya
G-D’S HONEST TRUTH
A World Premiere by Renee Calarco, Directed by Jenny McConnell Frederick
THE CALL
By Tanya Barfield, Directed by Shirley Serotsky
THE TALE OF THE ALLERGIST’S WIFE
By Charles Busch, Directed by Eleanor Holdridge
AFTER THE REVOLUTION
By Amy Herzog, Directed by Eleanor Holdridge
THE ARGUMENT
By Alexandra Gersten-Vassilaros, Directed by Shirley Serotsky
WOODY SEZ: THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF WOODY GUTHRIE
Devised by David M. Lutken with Nick Corley and Darcie Deaville, Helen Jean Russell and Andy Teirstein
OUR SUBURB
A World Premiere by Darrah Cloud, Directed by Judith Ivey
YELLOW FACE
By David Henry Hwang, Directed by Natsu Onoda Power
THE ADMISSION
A Workshop Presentation by Motti Lerner, Directed by Sinai Peter
GOLDA’S BALCONY
By William Gibson, Starring Tovah Feldshuh
FREUD’S LAST SESSION
By Mark St. Germain, Directed by Serge Seiden
THE PROSTATE DIALOGUES
A World Premiere written and performed by Jon Spelman. Directed by Jerry Whiddon
BODY AWARENESS
By Annie Baker, Directed by Eleanor Holdridge
OUR CLASS
By Tadeusz Słobodzianek, Translated by Ryan Craig, Directed by Derek Goldman
WOODY SEZ: THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF WOODY GUTHRIE
Devised by David M. Lutken with Nick Corley and Darcie Deaville, Helen Russell and Andy Teirstein
APPLES FROM THE DESERT
By Savyon Liebrecht, Directed by Johanna Gruenhut, Translated by Shir Freibach
BOGED (TRAITOR): AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE
Presented in partnership with Georgetown University, in association with StreetSigns Center for Literature and Performance
English-language premiere by Boaz Gaon & Nir Erez, Based on the play by Henrik Ibsen, Directed by Joseph Megel
RACE
By David Mamet, Directed by John Vreeke
ANDY AND THE SHADOWS
A World Premiere by Ari Roth, Directed by Daniella Topol
THE HAMPTON YEARS
A World Premiere by Jacqueline E. Lawton, Directed by Shirley Serotsky
IMAGINING MADOFF
By Deb Margolin, Directed by Alexandra Aron
PARADE
A Special Co-production with Ford’s Theatre
Book by Alfred Uhry, Music by Jason Robert Brown, Directed by Stephen Rayne
AFTER THE FALL
By Arthur Miller, Directed by José Carrasquillo
OY VEY IN A MANGER
Written and Performed by The Kinsey Sicks
THE RELIGION THING
By Renee Calarco (World Premiere), Directed by Joe Calarco
ELECTILE DYSFUNCTION: THE KINSEY SICKS FOR PRESIDENT!
Written and Performed by The Kinsey Sicks (World Premiere)
NEW JERUSALEM: THE INTERROGATION OF BARUCH DE SPINOZA
By David Ives, Directed by Jeremy Skidmore
THE WHIPPING MAN
By Matthew Lopez, Directed by Jennifer Nelson
THE HISTORY OF INVULNERABILITY
By David Bar Katz, Directed by Shirley Serotsky
SOMETHING YOU DID
By Willy Holtzman, Directed by Eleanor Holdridge
THE ODD COUPLE
By Neil Simon, Directed by Jerry Whiddon
OY VEY IN A MANGER
Written and Performed by The Kinsey Sicks
RETURN TO HAIFA
The Cameri Theatre Production, Adapted by Boaz Gaon from the novella by Ghassan Kanafani, Directed by Sinai Peter
THE CHOSEN
On The Fichandler Stage at Arena Stage
Adapted and Directed by Aaron Posner, Based on the novel by Chaim Potok
PHOTOGRAPH 51
By Anna Ziegler, Directed by Daniella Topol
THE MOSCOWS OF NANTUCKET
By Sam Forman (World Premiere), Directed by Shirley Serotsky
ZERO HOUR
Written and Performed by Jim Brochu, Directed by Piper Laurie
LOST IN YONKERS
By Neil Simon, Directed by Jerry Whiddon
JUDY GOLD IS MOMMY QUEEREST
Book by Judy Gold, Eric Kornfeld and Bob Smith, Lyrics by Eric Kornfeld, Music by John McDaniel, Directed by Amanda Charlton
THE FOUR OF US
By Itamar Moses, Directed by Daniel DeRaey
ANDY WARHOL: GOOD FOR THE JEWS?
Written & Performed by Josh Kornbluth in collaboration with Director David Dower (World Premiere)
IN DARFUR
By Winter Miller, Directed by Derek Goldman
MIKVEH
By Hadar Galron, Directed by Shirley Serotsky
NEW JERUSALEM:THE INTERROGATION OF BARUCH DE SPINOZA
By David Ives, Directed by Jeremy Skidmore
SANDRA BERNHARD’S WITHOUT YOU I’M NOTHING
By Sandra Bernhard and John Boskovich, Directed by Kenneth Hartung and Sandra Bernhard
HONEY BROWN EYES
By Stefanie Zadrevec (World Premiere), Directed by Jessica Lefkow
THEODORE BIKEL IN SHOLOM ALEICHEM: LAUGHTER THROUGH TEARS
By Theodore Bikel (World Premiere), Directed by Derek Goldman
DAI (ENOUGH)
Written and performed by Iris Bahr, Originally Directed Off Broadway by Will Pomerantz
THE ACCIDENT By Hillel Mitelpunkt, Directed by Sinai Peter
BENEDICTUS
By Motti Lerner, Created by Mahmood Karimi-Hakak, Motti Lerner, Roberta Levitow, Daniel Michaelson and Torange Yeghiazarian; Directed by Rahaleh Nassri
THE RISE AND FALL OF ANNIE HALL
By Sam Forman (World Premiere), Directed by Shirley Serotsky
THE SEAGULL ON 16TH STREET
By Anton Chekhov, Translated by Carol Rocamora, Adapted by Ari Roth (World Premiere), Directed by John Vreeke
ACCIDENT
By Amy Ziff, Directed by Rebecca Asher
SPEED-THE-PLOW
By David Mamet, Directed by Jerry Whiddon
SHLEMIEL THE FIRST
Conceived and Adapted by Robert Brustein, Directed by Nick Olcott
25 QUESTIONS FOR A JEWISH MOTHER
By Kate Moira Ryan and Judy Gold, Directed by Karen Kohlhaas, Performed by Judy Gold
THE PRICE
By Arthur Miller, Directed by Michael Carleton
DAVID IN SHADOW AND LIGHT
Libretto by Yehuda Hyman, Music by Daniel Hoffman (World Premiere Musical), Directed by Nick Olcott
SHLEMIEL THE FIRST
Conceived and Adapted by Robert Brustein, Directed by Nick Olcott
SPRING FORWARD, FALL BACK
By Robert Brustein, Directed by Wesley Savick
SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS
By Laura Shaine Cunningham (World Premiere), Directed by Delia Taylor
FAMILY SECRETS
By Sherry Glaser and Greg Howells
SOUTH SIDE STORIES
Music and lyrics by Louis Rosen
EITHER, OR
By Thomas Keneally (World Premiere), Directed by Daniel DeRaey
SHYLOCK
By Arnold Wesker, featuring Theodore Bikel
PANGS OF THE MESSIAH
A world premiere by Motti Lerner, Directed by Sinai Peter
THERE ARE NO STRANGERS
A world premiere by Jeanette L. Buck, Directed by Delia Taylor
THE DISPUTATION
By Hyam Macoby, Directed by Nick Olcott, starring Theodore Bikel
STRING FEVER
By Jacquelyn Reingold, Directed by Peg Denithorne
BETTY Rules: The Exception to the Musical Returns!
Written and performed by Alyson Palmer, Amy Ziff and Elizabeth Ziff, Directed by Sarah Bittenbender
THE DYBBUK
A new adaptation based on the play by S. Anski, adapted by Hannah Hessel and Paata Tsikurishvilli, Co-production with Synetic Theater, Directed by Paata Tsikurishvilli
BAL MASQUE
A world premiere by Richard Greenberg, Directed by John Vreeke
PICASSO’S CLOSET
A world premiere by Ariel Dorfman, Directed by John Dillon
A BAD FRIEND
By Jules Feiffer, Directed by Nick Olcott
THE TATTOOED GIRL
A world premiere by Joyce Carol Oates, Directed by John Vreeke
BETTY Rules: The Exception to the Musical
Written and performed by Alyson Palmer, Amy Ziff and Elizabeth Ziff, Directed by Michael Greif
HANNAH & MARTIN
By Kate Fodor, Directed by Jeremy B. Cohen
CENTRAL PARK WEST/RIVERSIDE DRIVE
By Woody Allen, Directed by Steven Carpenter
GOD’S DONKEY: A PLAY ON MOSES
Produced by the Traveling Jewish Theatre
FROM TEL-AVIV TO RAMALLAH: A BEAT-BOX JOURNEY
Starring Yuri Lane. By Rachel Haverlock (World Premiere), Directed by Aaron Davidman
WELCOME TO MY RASH & THIRD
A world premiere by Wendy Wasserstein, Directed by Michael Barakiva
HOMEBODY/KABUL
By Tony Kushner, Directed by John Vreeke, Co-produced by Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
PASSING THE LOVE OF WOMEN
English language world premiere by Motti Lerner & Israel Zamir, Adapted from a story by Isaac Bashevis Singer, Directed by Daniel DeRaey
OH, THE INNOCENTS
Written and Directed by Ari Roth, with original music by the author
DEATH AND THE MAIDEN
By Ariel Dorfman, Directed by John Vreeke
THE LAST SEDER
By Jennifer Maisel, Directed by Joseph Megel
JUMP/CUT
A world premiere by Neena Beber, Directed by Leigh Silverman, co-production with Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
THE MAD DANCERS
By Yehuda Hyman, Co-Directed by Liz Lerman and Nick Olcott
TALLEY’S FOLLY
By Lanford Wilson, Directed by Peg Denithorne
ROCKET TO THE MOON
By Clifford Odets, co-production with Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
THE PEOPLE’S VIOLIN
Written and performed by Charlie Varon, Directed by David Ford
SHYLOCK
Written and performed by Gareth Armstrong
MIKLAT
A world premiere by Joshua Ford, Directed by Nick Olcott
VIA DOLOROSA (Remount)
By David Hare, Directed by Nick Olcott
TOMMY J & SALLY
A world premiere by Mark Medoff, Directed by Bob Devin Jones, co-production with Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
I WILL BEAR WITNESS (Part II)
By Victor Klemperer, Adapted and directed by Karen Malpede
BORN GUILTY
By Ari Roth, based on the book by Peter Sichrovsky, Directed by John Vreeke
PETER & THE WOLF
A world premiere sequel by Ari Roth, Directed by Peg Denithorne
DECODING THE TABLECLOTH
By Gabriela Kohen, Directed by Constance Grappo
VIA DOLOROSA by David Hare, Directed by Nick Olcott, performed by David Bryan Jackson
THE CHOSEN
Adapted by Aaron Posner & Chaim Potok, from the novel by Chaim Potok, Directed by Steven Carpenter
GOD OF VENGEANCE
By Sholem Asch, translated by Cairid O’Brien, Directed by Jenny McConnell, Co-production with Rorschach Theatre Company
LOVE & YEARNING IN THE NOT-FOR-PROFITS & OTHER MARITAL DISTRACTIONS
A world premiere by Ari Roth, Directed by Joe Banno
MY LEFT BREAST
Written and performed by Susan Miller
THE RIDE DOWN MT. MORGAN
By Arthur Miller, Directed by Leigh Silverman
DANGER: MEMORY!
One-acts by Arthur Miller, Directed by Shira Piven
THE GOOD DOCTOR
By Neil Simon, based on the stories of Anton Chekhov, Directed by Andrei Malaav-Babel & Paata Tsikurishvilli, Co-production with Stanislavsky Theatre Studio
RED DIAPER BABY
Written and performed by Josh Kornbluth
LIFE IN REFUSAL
A world premiere by Ari Roth, Directed by Wendy C. Goldberg
RED DIAPER TRILOGY (with THE MATHEMATICS OF CHANGE and BEN FRANKLIN: UNPLUGGED)
Written and performed by Josh Kornbluth
COLLECTED STORIES
By Donald Margulies, Directed by James Petosa (part of Potomac Theatre Festival at Olney Theatre)
DP
A world premiere workshop by Roy Friedman, Directed by Wendy C. Goldberg (presented at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum)
A SUNDAY WITH BEN
A world premiere by Aaron Goldman, Directed by Jessie Berger (presented at the U.S. National Portrait Gallery)
THE SOUTH SIDE: RACIAL TRANSFORMATION OF AN AMERICAN NEIGHBORHOOD
By Louis Rosen, Concert reading Directed by John Castro and Ari Roth
GOODNIGHT IRENE
By Ari Roth, Directed by Lee Mikeska Gardner
THE OLD NEIGHBORHOOD
By David Mamet, Directed by Shira Piven
UNCLE PHILIP’S COAT
By Larry Block & Matty Selman, performed by Larry Block, Directed by Marcia Jean Kurtz
TOMORROWLAND
By Neena Beber, Directed by Wendy C. Goldberg, co-production with Horizons Theatre
FILLERUP! A SHOW ABOUT JEWISH WOMEN & FOOD
Written and performed by Deb Filler
Waiting for Lefty by Clifford Odets, with Still Waiting by Ari Roth, Adam McKay, & Shira Piven (World Premiere), Directed Shira Piven
Exile in Jerusalem, by Motti Lerner, Directed by Lee Mikeska Gardner
They Never Said a Word by Ron O’Leary, produced by the Rose Organization
Bed and Sofa Libretto by Laurence Klavan and Music by Polly Pen, Directed by Randye Hoeflich
The Bar Mitzvah of Harry London by Aaron Goldman, Directed by David Hilder
Two by Two by Richard Rodgers, Martin Charnin and Peter Stone, based on “The Flowering Peach,” by Clifford Odets, Directed by Nick Olcott
Nano and Nicki in Boca Raton by Sherry Kramer, Directed by Paul MacWhorter (World Premiere)
Hanukah Rapping
I Ought to Be in Pictures by Neil Simon, Directed by Rick Fiori
Jenny Keeps Talking by Richard Greenberg, Directed by Randye Hoeflich
Social Security by Andrew Bergman, Directed by David Hilder (produced in February 1995, remounted in July 1995)
Catskills Tzimmis by Ernest Joselovitz, Directed by Randye Hoeflich
Whatever It Is, I’m Against It: Groucho Marx on the Air by Richard Rohan, Directed by Joe Banno
Only Kidding by Jim Geoghan, Directed by David Hilder
The Common Enemy by Charlie Schulman, Directed by Randye Hoeflich
Talk Radio by Eric Bogosian, Directed by Martin Blank
Elephants by David Rush, Directed by Randye Hoeflich
Bobby Gould in Hell by David Mamet, Directed by Martin Blank
The Greene House Effect by Charlie Schulman, Directed by Allyson Currin (World Premiere)
Three One-Acts (Staged Readings): If the Walls Could Talk by Laurence Klavan; Sure Thing by David Ives; and Stage Directions by Israel Horowitz
O, the Innocents (Staged Reading) by Ari Roth
A Night in Ukraine by Dick Vosburgh and Frank Lazarus, Directed by Joe Banno
Table Settings by James Lapine, Directed by Eric Winick
Kroom (Staged Reading) by Hanoch Levin, directed by Debra Andrew
A Night in Ukraine (Staged Reading) by Dick Vosburgh and Frank Lazarus, directed by Joe Banno
“Shiva” (Staged Reading) by Judy Carter, directed by Margo Meisel