West Boca Theatre Company will open its 2023-2024 season of five professional and topical musical, comedic and dramatic productions at the Levis JCC in West Boca Raton with a performance of Alfred Uhry’s The Last Night of Ballyhoo starting Nov. 29.
The limited-engagement performances are all part of Sandler Center’s season of arts, culture and learning featuring author appearances, performing and visual arts programming and adult learning discussions. The season will also feature the Levis JCC’s 8th annual Judy Levis Krug Boca Raton Jewish Film Festival.
“We’re incredibly proud of this season’s diverse lineup, which reflects the Sandler Center’s commitment to enriching our community with a blend of arts, culture and meaningful conversations,” said Stephanie Owitz, vice president, Arts, Culture and Learning at the Levis JCC Sandler Center. “Each event is curated to inspire, entertain and provoke thought.”
WLRN is sponsor of West Boca Theatre Company’s 2023-2024 season. All events take place at the Levis JCC Sandler Center at 21050 95th Ave. S. in Boca Raton unless otherwise specified.
The Last Night of Ballyhoo, set in December 1939 in Atlanta’s upper-class German-Jewish community, will be presented Wednesdays, Nov. 29 and Dec. 6 at 2 p.m.; Saturdays, Dec. 2 and 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays, Dec. 3 and 10 at 2 p.m.
The show focuses on a family looking forward to a couple of important events. Gone with the Wind is about to premiere, and Adolph Freitag, his sister Boo, and sister-in-law, Reba, along with nieces Lala and Sunny – a Jewish family so highly assimilated they have a Christmas tree in the front parlor – are looking forward to Ballyhoo, a lavish cotillion ball sponsored by their restrictive country club.
Adolph’s employee, Joe Farkas, an Eastern European Jew familiar with prejudice, prompts college student Sunny to examine bias between Jews of different upbringing, her lack of Jewish identity and the beliefs with which she has been raised.
The next production is Neil Simon’s The Sunshine Boys, scheduled for Wednesdays, Jan. 3, 10 and 17 at 2 p.m.; Saturdays, Jan. 6, 13 and 20 at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays, January 7 and 14 at 2 p.m.
The beloved comedy tells the story of Al and Willie, who, as “Lewis and Clark,” were top-billed vaudevillians for more than 40 years. Animosity between them has grown to the point where they haven’t spoken in 12 years.
When CBS requests they appear in a “History of Comedy” retrospective, Willie’s nephew, a young theatrical agent, attempts to reunite the feuding former vaudeville greats. This grudging reunion brings the two back together, along with a flood of memories, miseries, and laughs.
Next production is Proof by David Auburn, scheduled Wednesdays, Feb. 7, 14 and 21 at 2 p.m., Saturdays, Feb. 10, 17 and 24 at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays, Feb. 4 and 18 at 2 p.m.
Proof is the story of an enigmatic young woman, her manipulative sister, their brilliant father and an unexpected suitor. They are all pieces of the puzzle in the search for the truth behind a mysterious mathematical proof. This poignant drama about love and reconciliation unfolds on the back porch of a house in a suburban university town.
Visiting Mr. Green by Jeff Baron is next on the bill of fare, scheduled Wednesdays, March 13 and 20 at 2 p.m., Saturdays, March 16 and 23 at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays, March 17 and 24 at 2 p.m.
Mr. Green, an 86-year-old widower living in Manhattan, is almost hit by a car driven by young corporate executive Ross Gardiner. Found guilty of reckless driving, Ross is ordered to spend the next six months making weekly visits to Mr. Green, who, after his wife’s death, has retreated from life, letting himself and his apartment go to ruin.
The story starts as a comedy about two people who resent being forced together but develops into a gripping drama as family secrets are revealed and old wounds are opened.
The finale is a special performance called Handle with Care by Jason Odell Williams, set for April 2 at 7:30 and April 3 at 2 p.m. at B’nai Torah Congregation, 6261 SW 18th St, Boca Raton. All seats are $36 (general admission). This production is not included in subscriptions.
Circumstances both hilarious and tragic bring together a young Israeli woman who has little command of English, and a young American man who has little command of romance.
General admission is $30/ticket or theatergoers may subscribe and save. Preferred seating and concessions are available at all performances and tickets have no service charges.
For tickets and to view the complete Arts, Culture and Learning brochure, visit levisjcc.org/culture or call 561-558-2520.
The Levis JCC Phyllis & Harvey Sandler Center highlights renowned talent from artists and actors to authors and so much more and gives adults of all ages and faiths an opportunity to connect with others who share similar interests in continuing education, travel, and social events. Learn more at levisjcc.org/culture or call 561-558-2520.
The Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center promotes and enhances Jewish culture, heritage, and values through educational, spiritual, social, wellness and recreational programs for individuals of all ages. It includes a preschool, summer camp, family activities, athletics, cultural arts, adult enrichment and special needs programming, as well as a resale boutique.
A Massachusetts native who moved to Florida in 2000, he is a graduate of Northeastern University in Boston, with honors degrees in English and Journalism. In New England, he worked for the Attleboro (Mass.) Sun Chronicle and the Pawtucket (R.I.) Times, the latter for 28 years. After moving to Florida, he worked as a copy editor at the Palm Beach Daily News, and, in 2001, became a reporter and later, city editor, at the Boca
Raton News where he worked for eight years.
