Newish Jewish Plays
SJT held a play reading series. A committee chose the finalists from a submission of 19 new plays by Jewish playwrights or plays dealing with Jewish content. Audience members were given an evaluation sheet which will help us decide if any of the plays are appropriate to produce during our 2025-26 season. Watch for our upcoming Newish Jewish Plays!
Dancing on Glass by Gary Morgenstein
Directed by Blake Walton
Award-winning playwright Gary Morgenstein’s ripped-from-the-headlines new play Dancing on Glass draws two broken families into an explosive public case of antisemitism, political bullying – and the perils of parenting – triggered by the firing of a Jewish teacher of Israeli-Palestinian studies for not being “balanced enough.”
Blake Walton is the managing director of SaraSolo Productions. An award-winning actor, director, published playwright, and teacher, Blake has been a professional actor for 40 years starring Off Broadway and in regional theatres and film and has won multiple awards as a performer and director.
Original Tenants by Carole Braverman
Directed by Steve Black
When a daughter visits her ailing mother in the Bensonhurst neighborhood of Brooklyn, memories of old loves and failed friendships are awakened. Think Our Town for Brooklyn Jews of a certain age.
Steve Black is the artistic director at Sarasota Area Playwrights Society. An accomplished actor and director with too many professional credits to begin to mention, Steve has worked in theatres across the United States and abroad for over 40 years.
We Are the Levinsons by Wendy Kout
Directed by Carole Kleinberg
What happens when an adult daughter moves in with her newly widowed father and tries to control the next steps in Daddy’s life? An alternate title for this play might be “Daughter Knows Best – Or Not?” The play will rekindle memories of our families – the good, the bad, and the glorious – with fondness and humor.
Carole Kleinberg is the artistic director of Sarasota Jewish Theatre. She is a respected member of the Sarasota theatre community. A skilled director, dramaturg and acting teacher, she brings a lifetime of knowledge and enthusiasm to this project.
These Newish Jewish Plays reflect our commitment to bringing new plays to Sarasota, plays which are the lifeblood of the theatre reflecting the forward movement of the world, our changing values, and the important events and contemporary issues that shape our lives today.