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Casting has been set for Old Jews Telling Jokes at the Colony Theatre in Burbank, it was announced today by producers Philip Roger Roy and Playhouse Productions, Inc. The visiting production at the Colony is set to open on Thursday, April 25, at 8pm, and the engagement will continue through Sunday, June 16.
Under the direction of Jeremy Quinn, the cast will feature (in alphabetical order)Julien Ari, Arthur S. Brown, Wendy Hammers, Danielle Kay, and Jeffrey Lesser.
Julien Ari is a native of Miami, FL. He received his Theatre degree from Florida State University where he studied abroad at the Theatre Academy of London. While there, he worked at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. Television credits include Jane the Virgin, NCIS: Los Angeles, and CSI: Cyber to name a few. He will be appearing on the final season of Veep this year.
Arthur S. Brown has appeared in productions of Hairspray, Kiss Me, Kate, andHamlet, among others. He has performed stand-up comedy in NYC and is the author of "Everything I Need to Know, I Learned from Cartoons!" (available on Amazon). He wrote, directed, and starred in the slapstick comedy The Return of Captain Schticklach!,available for viewing at www.ArtBrownProductions.com/schticklach.
Wendy Hammers wears a lot of hats and does her best to look sharp in all of them. TV: Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Sopranos, Mad About You. Theatre: ATC's Grey Nomad, Sarah Treem's When We Were Young & Unafraid, and a National tour of her acclaimed solo show ripe. She has performed stand-up and authored the book "What Was I Thinking: 58 Bad Boyfriend Stories." A pancreatic cancer survivor, she travels the country inspiring women with her message that life is really short, so celebrate it while you can in the body that you are currently in at the age that you are right now! wendyhammers.comDanielle Kay cherishes the opportunity to connect to her Jewish heritage through musical theatre, much like her experience performing in Fiddler on the Roof. Recent theatre credits include West Side Story (McCoy Rigby Entertainment), 42nd Street andHello, Dolly! (3D Theatricals), The 39 Steps, and Young Frankenstein (PVPA). She can also be seen on Crypt TV's Taste. www.thedaniellekay.com
Jeffrey Lesser returns to Old Jews Telling Jokes after being on the road with the National touring production. He was the Founding Director of the non-profit theatre company Center City Theatre Works in Philadelphia. He has directed productions ofThe Shadow Box, They're Playing Our Song, Company, and A Little Night Music. He is the founder of The Coachella Valley Cabaret Performance Class. As a performer he has appeared in several musicals as well as his own cabaret shows at New York City's Don't Tell Mama and The Duplex.
Old Jews Telling Jokes, which has been called a "pickle-barrel full of giggles," showcases five actors in a revue-type production that pays tribute to and reinvents classic jokes of the past and present. It celebrates the rich tradition of Jewish humor and 'all the rabbis, complaining wives, fed-up husbands, patience-challenged physicians, gossiping ladies, and competitive men' populating it. The humor is suggestive and even raunchy as the 'Old Jews' make fun of themselves as well as followers of every other religion. Said producer Philip Roger Roy, "Think Catskills comedy with jokes, songs, stories, skits, and routines. The humor is reminiscent of the great Jewish comedians from Buddy Hackett and Alan King to Tom Lehrer, and more." Warning: adult (bawdy) humor. Not for audiences under 21.
The performance schedule is Thursday at 3pm and 8pm, Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 3pm and 8pm, and Sunday at 3pm and 7pm through Sunday, June 16. Admission prices range from $45-$65 and tickets may be purchased online at www.playhouseinfo.com or by phone at (855) 448-7469. For group sales information, call (888) 264-1788. The Colony Theatre is located at 555 N. Third Street (between Cypress and Magnolia), in Burbank, 91502. Ample free onsite parking is available.
