Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company to Present BAD JEWS, 4/30-5/22

Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company (MJTC) is pleased to announce the opening of Joshua Harmon's Bad Jews, directed by Hayley Finn. This production runs from April 30th - May 22nd, 2016 at the Highland Park Community Center Theater, 1978 Ford Parkway, St. Paul, MN 55116. Individual tickets go on sale March 25th and range in price from $20 - $32. Student and group discounts are available. To order, call (651) 647-4315 or visit www.mnjewishtheatre.org. Press passes are available for performances on Saturday, April 30th at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, May 1st at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Conflicts over family, faith and identity explode in this edgy, new comedy. Crammed in a Manhattan apartment the night after their grandfather's funeral, two cousins face off in a battle to inherit a family heirloom. First in the ring - college senior Daphna, who oozes "Super Jew" from her upcoming rabbinical studies to her Israeli boyfriend. Her opponent is Liam, a secular and entitled grad student who arrives with shiksa girlfriend Melody in tow. With Liam's younger brother Jonah thrust into the impossible position of peacemaker, the rivals argue, insult and try to outwit each other to the bitter, hilarious end.

Cast:

Miriam Schwartz (Daphna Feygenbaum) was previously seen in Becoming Dr. Ruth, Jericho, and Handle With Care. Other theater credits include Walking Shadow Theatre Company (Gabriel), 7th House Theater (Cinephillia), Workhaus Collective (Homegrown, The Hollow), Guthrie Theater (Born Yesterday), and Theatre Forever (The Brutes), as well as roles including Sonya in Uncle Vanya, Jenny in In Game or Real, and multiple roles in Clandestino. She is a graduate of the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater B.F.A. Actor Training Program.

Michael Hanna (Liam Haber) appears at MJTC for the first time. He currently stars as Romeo at Park Square Theatre's Romeo and Juliet. Other recent theater credits include Guthrie Theater (My Fair Lady, Born Yesterday, Those Who Favor Fire), Mixed Blood Theatre (Stars and Stripes), and Hope Summer Repertory Theater (The Light in the Piazza, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Chaps!). He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater B.F.A. Actor Training Program.

Michael Torsch (Jonah Haber) returns to MJTC, after appearing in The Twenty-Seventh Man, Jericho and New Jerusalem. Other theater credits include Normandale Theatre (RED), Agile Rabbit Theatre Company (Beget), and Cromulent Shakespeare Company (The Comedy of Errors). He also recently directed and acted in an original stage adaptation of Richard Connell's The Most Dangerous Game at the Bedlam Lowertown.

Adelin Phelps (Melody) appears at MJTC for the first time. She most recently appeared in Lullaby at Theater Latté Da. Other credits include Park Square Theatre (King Lear), Theatre Forever (The Nature Crown, The King is Dead), Illusion Theatre/Transatlantic Love Affair (These Old Shoes, Ash Land), and Walking Shadow Theatre (Compleat Female Stage Beauty). In March 2016, she will appear as Sharon in Watermelon Hill at History Theatre.

Creative Team:

Liz Josheff Busa (Costume Design) has previously designed for MJTC in The Tale of the Allergist's Wife, Becoming Dr. Ruth, Jericho and Stars of David. As well as being a freelance designer, she is a Red Eye Theater company member where she has collaborated on over 40 productions. Her theater work includes costume, set, and projection design. In addition, she has designed for film and television, and has worked in arts education as a teaching artist.

Andrew Lee Dolan (Sound Design) most recently sound designed at Red Eye Theater for The Slow Motion Carnival and My Life is All But Over. His design work has been featured at Bank of Ireland Theatre, Town Hall Theatre, Galway Arts Centre, and the Múscailt Arts Festival in Galway, Ireland as well as The Mütter Museum (Philadelphia, PA), Fairfield University (Connecticut), and Bryant Lake Bowl locally. He has been a guest artist in sound and performance at Fairfield University and Century College.

Paul Epton (Lighting Design) discovered theater lighting at Carleton College and was an award-winning designer in Detroit. Since moving to Minneapolis, he's designed regularly for MJTC (over 50 shows, including Stars of David, My Name is Asher Lev, The Triangle Factory Fire Project, Old Wicked Songs), Mixed Blood Theatre (In the Time of the Butterflies, Ruined), Off-Leash Area (Maggie's Brain, Psst!), Torch Theater (Turn of the Screw, Dancing at Lughnasa), and Day Trippers, among others.

Hayley Finn (Director) is Associate Artistic Director at the Playwrights' Center. She directed Rose, The History of Invulnerability, Compulsion or the House Behind, The Last Word..., Handle With Care, and The Gospel According to Jerry at MJTC. Other theaters she has directed at include Cherry Lane Theatre, History Theatre, New Dramatists, The O'Neill, The Public, Vineyard Theatre, Walker Art Center, Workhaus Collective, and Nine Gates Festival-Prague. She has assistant directed Tony Award-winning productions, is a recipient of the Ruth Easton Fellowship, Drama League Fellowship, and TCG New Generations Future Leader grant.

Michael Hoover (Scenic Design) returns to MJTC, having designed The Tale of the Allergist's Wife, The Twenty-Seventh Man, Jericho and Stars of David. Michael designs sets locally for many theaters, including Juno and the Paycock (co-designer) and Choir Boy at Guthrie Theater. Other stage design credits include Park Square Theatre, History Theatre, Theater Latté Da, and Torch Theater. In addition to his freelance career as a scenic designer, Michael is on staff as the Lead Scenic Artist at the Guthrie Theater.

Robert J. Smith (Properties Design) has designed props for MJTC's The Tale of the Allergist's Wife, The Chanukah Guest, Jericho and New Jerusalem. He's designed props for 21 shows at Theatre in the Round, most recently for Fahrenheit 451, Black Coffee and Treasure Island, and stage-managed 3 shows. Other local credits include Gray Space, Starting Gate, Tedious Brief Productions and Walking Shadow Theatre Company. In Salt Lake City, he was resident stage manager for the Children's Theater at Promised Valley Playhouse. Robert has a degree in radio and TV broadcasting.

Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company (MJTC) is a non-profit organization in its 21st season. Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company ignites the hearts and minds of people of all cultural backgrounds by producing theater of the highest artistic standards. Rooted in Jewish content, our work explores differences, illuminates commonalities, and fosters greater understanding among all people. For further information about MJTC and its 21st season, visit www.mnjewishtheatre.org, email info@mnjewishtheatre.org, or call (651) 647-4315.

This activity is made possible by a grant from Minneapolis Jewish Federation's Opportunity Fund and by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

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