Victor Raider-Wexler to Star in HERSHEL AND THE HANUKKAH GOBLINS at Jewish Community Center

Best known for his roles in "The Pursuit of Happyness," "Minority Report" and "Dr. Dolittle 2," Kansas City actor Victor Raider-Wexler is now lending his star power to "Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins," presented by Paul Mesner Puppets at the Jewish Community Center, "The J."

The puppet show is open to the community for two days only - Saturday, Dec. 20 at 6 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 21 at 2 and 5 p.m. at the White Theatre on the Jewish Community Campus in Overland Park. A matinee for students at The J's Child Development Center and Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy will also take place Friday, Dec. 19. Media are invited to attend any of these productions.

"Holiday programming in Kansas City has some wonderful traditions - the Nutcracker, Christmas Carol, Messiah; this programming covers secular and Christian traditions but there's never been a Kansas City tradition for Hanukkah," said Krista Blackwood, Director of Cultural Arts for The J. "Last year, I decided to try and create a tradition, and who better to help me than Paul Mesner Puppets?"

In "Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins, Raider-Wexler plays the part of Hershel of Ostropol, who uses his wits and a few props - pickles, eggs and a dreidel - to outwit the holiday-hating, hill-dwelling hobgoblins determined to ruin yet another Hanukkah. Families of all faiths will love this creative adaptation of the ancient Hanukkah story in which the Syrians forbade the Jews to worship as they wanted.

"The mission of the Cultural Arts department at The J is programming arts events that appeal to Jewish and non-Jewish audiences alike because the Jewish Community Center is not just Jewish, it's also Community Center," Blackwood said. "So when something like Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins comes along - a purely Jewish story with enormous potential for broad-based appeal, starring such a wonderful actor - it's a home run."

Tickets for "Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins" can be purchased at www.jcckc.org/boxoffice or by calling 913-327-8054.

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