L’CHAIM AMERICA! To Premiere In Los Angeles As Part Of America 250 Celebration

The Braid will present the world premiere of L’Chaim America!, a new theatrical production exploring contemporary Jewish American identity, beginning May 12 in Los Angeles. The production is part of the broader America 250 commemoration marking the United States’ upcoming 250th anniversary.

Directed by Susan Morgenstern, the production will feature an ensemble cast performing a collection of true stories that reflect the diversity of Jewish life across the United States. The staging will forgo sets, props, and costumes, focusing instead on storytelling and performance to move between locations and perspectives.

The work will include stories from contributors such as Joshua Silverstein, Robert Uriel Russin, Emily Bowen Cohen, and Solomon Dueñas, alongside additional writing and music from a range of artists. The narratives span a wide range of experiences, including immigrant journeys, multiracial identity, and intergenerational connections.

“In divisive times, this show is a respite from the rhetoric and a reminder of who we are as Jews and as Americans,” said The Braid founder and artistic director Ronda Spinak. “The Jewish people are a vibrant part of the American story.”

Following its Los Angeles run, L’Chaim America! will tour to the San Francisco Bay Area, Orange County, and New York City, with additional global livestream performances scheduled in June. A special performance will take place June 7 at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles as part of a larger community celebration.