James Sherman's BEAU JEST Set for Concert and Theatre Arts Series at B'nai Torah

The Concert and Theatre Arts Series at B'nai Torah and Producer/Director Shari Upbin will bring James Sherman's 'comedy with romance', Beau Jest, to the B'nai Torah Stage for one performance only, on February 22nd at 7:30 pm.

Sarah Goldman is a nice Jewish girl with a problem: her parents want her married - to a nice Jewish boy, of course. They've never met Sarah's boyfriend, who happens to have the unfortunate name of Chris Kringle, and who doesn't exactly fit that description, so to make them happy she invents Dr. David Steinberg - the man of their dreams. When they insist upon meeting Dr. Steinberg, Sarah contacts an escort service to provide her with a Jewish date - but instead they send her Bob Schroeder, an out of work actor who agrees to perform the impersonation. Sarah's mother - armed with challah and lokshen kugel sets out to snare this Beau for her daughter with hilarious mix ups and consequences!

Now in its 21st season, The Concert Series at B'nai Torah has proven to be a popular program for congregational members and non-members alike. The Theatre Series, spearheaded by Cantor Udi Spielman and Producer/Director Shari Upbin, was added three years ago.

"When Cantor Udi Spielman asked me to bring a comedy to B'nai Torah, I immediately thought of the wonderful Beau Jest by James Sherman, the author of the highly successful Door To Door - which I also directed for our Theatre Series," Director Upbin says. "This well-crafted play has a lot to say about families of any ethnic persuasion. Coming from a family devoted to comedy - my dad was a writer for Jack Benny - it was a wonderful experience blending farce with a genuine insight into this family I knew so well.

"Jewish mothers are a tribute to society," she continues. "I miss my own Jewish, mother but now that I have grown children of my own, I get the opportunity - over and over again - to pass down the very statements my own mother used to say to me. "So... that's what you are wearing?" is now an anthem filled with love and familiarity. I believe our audiences will enjoy seeing the Goldman family on stage!"

Emily Freeman, who recently placed first in the National Society of Arts and Letters Musical Theatre competition will play Sarah Goldman. Roy Lynam, Christopher Mitchell, Larry Bramble, Chris Anthony Ferrer, and Phyllis Spear round out Upbin's talented cast.

James Sherman is the author of numerous plays, including The God of Isaac, Mr. 80%, The Escape Artist, Romance in D, From Door to Door, The Old Man's Friend, Affluenza, and Jacob and Jack. He began his professional career as a writer and performer with The Second City in Chicago and received an M.F.A. degree from Brandeis University. Since 1985, he has had thirteen plays premiered at the Tony Award-winning Victory Gardens Theater in Chicago, and he was a founding member of the Victory Gardens Playwrights Ensemble. His plays have been published and are regularly produced by theatres throughout the United States and have also been seen in Canada, Mexico, Australia, South America, England, Germany, Austria, Turkey, South Africa, Australia, China, and Korea.

Beau Jest will play for one performance, only - on Wednesday, February 22nd, at 7:30 pm at Congregation B'nai Torah in Boca Raton. Tickets are $45 ($36 for congregational members), and may be purchased by calling 561-392-8566 or on line at www.bnai-torah.org. Group rates are available.

IF YOU GO:

Beau Jest
by James Sherman
February 22, 2017 at 7:30 pm
At B'nai Torah Congregation, 6261 SW 18th Street, Boca Raton, FL 33433
Tickets: $45 ($36 for congregational members)
Purchase: tinyurl.com/jpjk3mb | 561-392-8566
Info: www.bnai-torah.org

Shari Upbin (Producer/Director) has been a theatre professional since the age of 13 when she became a member of Actors Equity. (Her father was a writer for Jack Benny). She has been a professional tap dancer and choreographer and is a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers; she was the president of the League of Professional Theatre Women/New York for seven years, and is currently President of the National Society Of Arts And Letters, Florida East Coast Chapter.
Shari has produced and directed over 50 productions in New York and around the country. Her directing Credits include Vincent, The Passions Of The Artist Van Gogh, Danny And Sylvia at the Forum Theatre in New Jersey. Other credits include Life With Father, Fiddler On The Roof, Cabaret, Jacques Brel, and The Roar Of The Greasepaint; she was awarded Best Director for her production of Side By Side By Sondheim. Shari will be producing the national classical ballet competition En Pointe in South Florida in 2017.

Along with Beau Jest, some of Shari's Florida directing credits include Bridge & Tunnel, Women's Minyan, Broadway Live! and Hollywood Live!, Confessions Of A Jewish Shiksa Dancing On Hitler's Grave at the Kravis Center, Dames In Divaland, From Door to Door, and In the Voice of Our Mothers (at the Posner JCC).

Shari served as assistant director to the world renowned British Director Michael Langham for the first Black/Hispanic Julius Caesar and Coriolanus at the New York Shakespeare Festival with Joe Papp starring Morgan Freeman.

Shari Upbin and Sandi Durell have been long time producing partners in Hollywood Live! and Broadway Live! as well as The Manhattan Association of Cabaret Award nominated Timeless Divas! series with hosts Ben Verreen, Tony Randall, Karen Mason, Tovah Feldshuh , Phyllis Newman, and Leslie Uggams. She is producing the 2017 National Classical Ballet Competition at Florida Atlantic University in June.