Episode #49: Sex, Addiction & Love Pt. 2 – Interview with Sionne Elise

Part 2 of our previewing the 2nd Salon of our season, Sex, Addiction & Love in the 21st Century, which was abruptly postponed by the Coronavirus pandemic. Nevertheless, “The Show Must Go On!” as they say and we’re bringing these dangerous, outrageous, and oftentimes tender stories of the carnal sort to you via Zoom! June 27-29, you can join us for live performances of our latest Salon.

Those with Subscriptions and previously purchased tickets can attend for free – if you don’t have any tickets yet, you can CLICK HERE to purchase for $20.

On today’s episode, a conversation recorded with actor/musician Sionne Elise, recorded way back in a time before COVID-19, early March of 2020. Assistant Artistic Director Andrew Fromer sat down with Sionne to chat about her rising acting career (check her out as Phoebe in Lifetime’s soon-to-be-released Killer Cheerleader) and more! Including a preview performance of her piece from the Salon, “Not Going Anywhere.”

Join us on Zoom for Sex, Addiction & Love in the 21st Century – Includes Q&A with Talent! If you are a subscriber or March ticket holder, please contact andrew@the-braid.org if you have not already claimed your preferred date:

June 27 @ 8pm – TICKETS
June 28 @ 4pm – TICKETS
June 29 @ 7pm – TICKETS

Episode #49: Sex, Addiction & Love Pt. 2 – Interview with Sionne Elise2020-06-25T12:35:54-07:00

Episode #48: Audio Replay of Sex, Addiction & Love Art Talk

In case you missed it, JWT’s Artistic Director, Ronda Spinak, talks with our featured visual artists, Sarah Hadley and Ellen Cantor about their work and process.

CLICK HERE for a video replay of the event so you can see the beautiful artwork!

“Sarah Hadley exhibits images that depict intimate female joys, sorrows, dreams and desires…Ellen Cantor begins with photographs that illustrate the past – but she also focuses our attention on universal human emotions.” -dnj Gallery Owner & Curator Pamela Schoenberg Catch the companion JWT Salon Show of the same name June 27-29. DETAILS BELOW!

Join us on Zoom for Sex, Addiction & Love in the 21st Century – Includes Q&A with Talent! If you are a subscriber or March ticket holder, please contact andrew@the-braid.org if you have not already claimed your preferred date:

June 27 @ 8pm – TICKETS
June 28 @ 4pm – TICKETS
June 29 @ 7pm – TICKETS

Episode #48: Audio Replay of Sex, Addiction & Love Art Talk2020-06-23T17:14:49-07:00

Episode #47: Sex, Addiction & Love Pt. 1 – Interview with Robin Russin

We’re back!! Our 2nd Salon of the season, Sex, Addiction & Love in the 21st Century was abruptly postponed by the Coronavirus pandemic. Nevertheless, “The Show Must Go On!” as they say and we’re bringing these dangerous, outrageous, and oftentimes tender stories of the carnal sort to you via Zoom! June 27-29, you can join us for live performances of our latest Salon.

Those with Subscriptions and previously purchased tickets can attend for free – if you don’t have any tickets yet, you can CLICK HERE to purchase for $20.

On today’s episode, a conversation recorded with writer Robin Uriel Russin, recorded way back in a time before COVID-19, early March of 2020. Assistant Artistic Director Andrew Fromer sat down with Robin to chat about his multifaceted career as a filmmaker, teacher, writer (and more!) and to discuss Robin’s piece featured in Sex, Addiction & Love, titled “The Rose of Sharon.”

Join us on Zoom for Sex, Addiction & Love in the 21st Century – Includes Q&A with Talent! If you are a subscriber or March ticket holder, please contact andrew@the-braid.org if you have not already claimed your preferred date:

June 27 @ 8pm – TICKETS
June 28 @ 4pm – TICKETS
June 29 @ 7pm – TICKETS

Episode #47: Sex, Addiction & Love Pt. 1 – Interview with Robin Russin2020-06-22T14:47:44-07:00

Episode #22: Jews in America – Fall Party Preview

On this episode, Lisa and Maureen are joined by Susan Baskin (see bio below) a writer and frequent contributor to JWT’s salons as well as JWT Artistic Director Ronda Spinak. Ronda and Susan have been working together over the past few months to prepare for JWT’s Fall Party, the annual kickoff to our season of salons. This year’s theme is Jews in America featuring historical documents, original works, music and more from all over the USA’s vibrant timeline. Maureen, Lisa, Susan and Ronda  discuss what inspired this year’s theme, the importance of citizenship and the duality of being a Jew in America, as well as a preview of what’s in store for this year at JWT. Listen and enjoy!

JWT Fall Party: Jews in America
October 28th, 2018 at a Home in Brentwood (details to follow ticket purchase)
Doors open at 1:30 PM for shmoozing, dessert buffet, and special surprises
Showtime is at 2:30 PM. 

If you bring someone who has never been to JWT before, you will receive a special thank you gift from us!

SUSAN BASKIN (Writer) wrote the Academy Award–winning film Violet and has also written extensively for television and film. Her credits include Remington Steele, Dynasty, and numerous television movies. Her essays have been published in The Los Angeles Times Magazine, West, and Los Angeles Magazine, and she is currently working on a novel.

Episode #22: Jews in America – Fall Party Preview2019-02-19T19:17:08-08:00

Episode #21: Past & Present: Russian Jewish American Stories at the Wende Museum

On the latest episode of the JWT Podcast Lisa and Maureen sit down with Dr. Joes Segal, Chief Curator of the Wende Museum of the Cold War in Culver City and JWT Artistic Director Ronda Spinak. We are preparing for a very special event at this fascinating museum, a unique reprisal of Past & Present: Russian Jewish American Storiesan incredible show that tells stories of loss and discovery, joy and tears, shame and pride through the eyes of those who have struggled to survive in two very different worlds. Attendees will get a private tour of the museum and see the performance amidst the unique art displays…

Join us on Sunday November 11th, starting at 5pm

Episode #21: Past & Present: Russian Jewish American Stories at the Wende Museum2019-02-19T19:18:11-08:00

Episode #12: United Colors of Jews

Yes, Jewish people come in all different colors! Back in January NEXT @ The Braid, our emerging artist fellowship, partnered with Jews of Color to produce a night of stories highlighting Jewish diversity. Attendees were encouraged to bring family photos and introduce the audience to their “multicultural mishpacha” through a great story, and the night did not dissapoint! In this episode, we bring you three of those stories told on stage that night, hosted by the award-winning performer Joshua Silverstein (see bio below). We hear from Emily Bowen Cohen about her Native American heritage, Benny Lumpkins Jr.’s life-changing experiences growing up in Detroit, and Courtenay Edelhart’s generously donated Hannukah shopping spree in Bakersfield. Have a listen and join us for this incredibly eye-opening episode!

JOSHUA REUBEN SILVERSTEIN is an award-winning actor, comic, writer, beatboxer, and educator. His various performances and productions throughout the country have received admiration from such creative geniuses ranging from Norman Lear to Prince.

He is an original member of Norman Lear’s DECLARE YOURSELF ROAD TRIP SHOW, a 3-year spoken-word/musical performance tour encouraging the American people to register to vote.

Beatboxing since the age of 5, Joshua has become the West Coast’s most sought-after beatboxer, named by the Jewish News Service as “one of the best beatboxers in the world.” His various collaborations with artists such as Slash from Guns and Roses, poetic icon Ursula Rucker and Improv legend Wayne Brady have earned him the title of “the hardest-working performer in L.A.”

His solo show, “The Joshua Silverstein Show,” has been receiving rave reviews since its preview at the Greenway Court Theater in Los Angeles in 2014. An early version of the show, titled “Tell Me I’m Pretty” (directed by Diana Wyenn), was presented at the Bootleg Theater in Los Angeles in 2016.  Backed by a three-piece band, Joshua playfully weaves through personal narratives pertaining to race and gender constructs in America. Using devices including pantomime, beatboxing, rapping, and spoken word, Joshua has created a show that continues to inspire, challenge, provoke and motivate. For more info, please visit Joshua’s website.

Episode #12: United Colors of Jews2018-05-23T12:31:13-07:00

Episode #8: Hold Me Heal Me (Abridged)

Today we are going back into Jewish Women’s Theatre’s archive to share stories from Hold Me, Heal Me, a show about the true healing power of kindness. The three stories in this episode illuminate how kindness comforts us even in our most broken moments.The pieces featured in this episode are:

The Shabbos Goy
Written by Joanne Verdino. Performed by Lisa Cirincione and Sean Topps.

A Balm in Beverly Hills
Written by Faye Sholiton. Performed by Kate Zentall and Sean Topps.

O, Engineer
Written by Anna Belle Kaufman. Performed by Kate Zentall.

Hold Me, Heal Me was underwritten by generous donations from Gail Solo, in dedication to Dr. Edith Eger, and Gladys & David Layne

Produced by Ronda Spinak
Assistant Producer: Barbara Koletsky
Directed by Eve Brandstein
Dramaturge Lisa Rosenbaum
Associate Producers: Susie Yure´ and Rose Ziff

For more info on Hold Me, Heal Me visit the show’s page.

Episode #8: Hold Me Heal Me (Abridged)2018-04-26T12:12:38-07:00

Episode #7: Funny Women of JWT

In today’s episode, Lisa and Maureen sit down with Shelly Goldstein and Melanie Chartoff (see below for bios), two incredibly funny women that have written and performed in several of JWT’s shows throughout the years including The Matzo Ball Diaries and Reckoning with Dad. Join us to find out how Shelly and Melanie got their start, what drew them into the world of JWT and how they both work to change the perception of Jewish women in the media.

MELANIE CHARTOFF is an inventor of stories and characters for the page, stage, and screen. As an actress, she’s best known for roles in series such as ABC’s late-night comedy show Fridays, Parker Lewis Can’t Lose, The Newhart Show, Ally McBeal, and Touched by an Angel. She won a Dramalogue Award for the LA premiere of March of the Falsettos and acclaim for her performances in ACT San Francisco’s Sunday in the Park with George, The Vagina Monologues in Chicago, and Beyond Therapy at LA’s Coronet Theater. She can be heard daily somewhere in the world voicing characters such as Didi on Nickleodeon’s long running Rugrats and its spin-offs, movies, and games. She’s written lyrics and book and costars in her upcoming two-character play with music, Fine Lines, and is a columnist for the Huffington Post and the Jewish Journal. She hails from the East Coast stages of Long Wharf Theater, Yale University, and off- and on Broadway (Scapino, Via Galactica, Do I Hear a Waltz). She currently enhances people’s public personae in her Charismatizing Improvising Coaching and Classes. For more information, visit her websites: www.melaniechartoff.com and www.chartoffteaching.com.

Order Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Crazy Family featuring one of Melanie’s stories!

SHELLY GOLDSTEIN has written for every genre of TV, film and stage. Her one-woman shows have played to sell-out crowds throughout the US and UK. She co-starred with Sir Derek Jacobi and Vanessa Redgrave in the British film, The Riddle and with Vinnie Jones in the Irish film, Assault of Darkness. She has written or punched-up sitcoms, dramas, films, lyrics, documentaries, animation, award shows, jokes and special material for such artists as Steve Martin, Barbra Streisand, Sharon Stone, Justin Timberlake, Anne Hathaway, LL Cool J, Jane Fonda, Garry Marshall, Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and Yoko Ono. She wrote the book for the disco musical, Last Dance, which work-shopped on Broadway and she directed the critically-acclaimed hit comedy The Vic & Paul Show in L.A. and Chicago. She is currently writing the new musical, Somebody Feels the Water and is the L.A. correspondent for London’s Good Vibes radio. She recently won the New York Times Caption Contest.


 

Episode #7: Funny Women of JWT2018-04-19T10:31:39-07:00

Episode #2: An Interview with Ronda Spinak

Longtime board members Maureen Rubin and Lisa Rosenbaum sit down and chat with JWT’s Artistic Director and Co-Founder, Ronda Spinak. Find out how our great theatre got its start, what’s in store for the future and what Ronda is most looking forward to in our incredible 10th Season. You can also hear info about some upcoming events, such as:

Jewish Women in Hollywood (Sunday Morning Performance and Panel Discussion)
Join us for a dramatic performance followed by a panel discussion with TV executive Olivia Cohen-Cutler, film producer Sarah Platt, legendary film and TV costume designer Debra McGuire, actress/writer Heidi Kozak Haddad, plus actress/inventor Hedy Lamarr. These are some of Hollywood’s most successful, hardest-working women; learn how they do it, how they got here and how they’re going to keep on making a difference. $20 admission includes a light brunch, panel discussion, performance and Q&A.
Sunday, Feb. 11th 10:00 am – 12:00 pm @ The Braid in Santa Monica
FOR TICKETS

Episode #2: An Interview with Ronda Spinak2018-02-15T01:40:37-08:00

Episode #1: The Space Between

The Space Between explores humorous, heartbreaking and surprising stories that cut to the heart of what divides us and illuminate the yearnings and struggles, successes and failures of reaching out to find common ground.This is a groundbreaking new show created by the first generation of NEXT @ The Braid, JWT’s Young Professionals Arts Council. These 12 up-and-coming young artists have brought together stories, songs, poems and plays to create a unique theatrical experience that hope to bridge the gap in a time of intense divisions.

2017 NEXT Arts Council Fellows: Amirose Eisenbach, Sigi Gradwohl, Abigail Marks, Chelsea London Lloyd, Andrew Fromer, Christian Alexander Prentice, Daphna Shull, Rachel Berney Needleman, Lisa Cirincione, Vicki Schairer, and Vanessa Espino. With Arts Council Producer: Abbe Meryl Feder and JWT Leadership: Artistic Director Ronda Spinak, Managing Director, Sharon Landau and Producing Director Susan Morgenstern

Performed by: Donnabella Mortel, Jesse Macht, Kyla Schoer, Michael Hanson, and Zoe Lillian.

Featuring stories by Rachelle Davidowitz, Adam Rotstein, Kaitlin Mamie, Sigi Gradwohl, Art Alonso, Daphna Shull, Julie Mayerson Brown, Max Mondi, Molly Murray, Vanessa Espino, Vicki Schairer and Abby Marks.

Featuring music by Jesse Macht, Dan Omelio and Emily Kitter.

Recorded in front of a live audience at The Braid in Santa Monica, CA on June 23, 2017.With generous support from the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles, Erwin Rautenberg Foundation, and Dennis Schuman Charitable Fund.

NEXT is a program of JWT. Artistic Director: Ronda Spinak; Managing Director: Sharon Landau; Producing Director: Susan Morgenstern.

More information is available at https://www.jewishwomenstheatre.org/showsevents/performances/past-shows-2/the-space-between/


 

Episode #1: The Space Between2018-02-05T10:46:23-08:00