The world premiere of a riotously funny stage production co-authored by a couple of local writers — ex-northerners turned South Floridians — is about to open at The Studio in Boca Raton’s Mizner Park.
The comedy-fueled performance of From Brooklyn to Boca is intentionally being performed within the borders of Boca Raton, said co-writers Sharon Pfeiffer (a Boca Ratonian originally from Long Island) and Deni B. Sher (a longtime Weston resident who came south from Linwood, N.J.)
Sharon and Deni, who “have been dear friends since 2018,” started writing From Brooklyn to Boca with the intention of turning it into a TV series, feature film and play. The stage version is finished and ready for a full production. The other incarnations are still in the works.
The creative duo said the stage show will make its world premiere starting Jan. 9 at The Studio in Mizner Park, 201 West Plaza Real, Boca Raton.
“It was performed as a staged reading before 90 people two years ago at the Sol Theatre in Boca Raton. The audience loved it,” said Deni. The full production will roll out at The Studio.
“We were determined to open in Boca Raton,” Sharon added with enthusiasm.
The show moves to Mizner Park thanks to Sharee Pemberton, a long-time and accomplished producer in Chicago now working in South Florida. “She befriended us, she read the script and insisted on producing it,” said Sharon and Deni.
In Sharee’s words, the play is a laugh riot. “We are starting 2025, and we need to laugh. People will laugh and cry. It has all the elements of a show with a long life.”
From Brooklyn to Boca centers on the Rifiutos, a Brooklyn couple, Regina and Frank, and their son, Carmine. Regina’s mobster husband, Frank, has decided to rat in his crime family, so Regina reluctantly agrees to relocate her real family through the Federal Witness Protection Program.
A screw-up by a federal agent mistakenly sends the Rifiutos to Boca Raton instead of Iowa. To make matters worse, the family must change its name and assume the Jewish faith. The two-act show tells the wild story of a not-so-perfect Italian Catholic family struggling to blend in as a Jewish household – with no idea how to make the transformation.
“Comedy, humor, laughs and joy ensue,” said the play writers. “Audiences are sure to find fun and enjoyment in this show about family, love, relationships and acceptance.” This fish-out-of-water comedy has been dubbed “The Sopranos meet The Goldbergs.”
“From Brooklyn to Boca is all about family, and audiences are sure to love the crazy didn’t-see-it-coming finale,” Sharon said.
The cast of 16 hails from communities up and down the East Coast and includes talented players and some of the best comedic talents from New York as well as cities in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
Miami’s Alex Alonso plays “Fuhgeddaboudit” Frank and co-author Sharon Pfeiffer portrays Regina. Their son is played by Kalel Carrera from Davie who, at age 12, is already a veteran of the stage.
The mobsters who pursue the Rifiutos are played by Pompano Beach’s Vincent Prestigiacomo (Big Sal); Benjamin Giordano (Joey “’Bag A Laundry”) from Rocky Point, N.Y.; Kevin Wilson (Mikey “The Bat”) from Palm Bay and Al Giordano (Vinny) from Lake Worth.
Every character has a unique role in moving the plot and adding a surprise twist when the time is right.
Delray Beach residents in the cast include Michael Blacksburg as Rabbi Rabinowitz, Bob Sharkey as Father O’Neill and Roy Lynam as Agent Viso, a federal marshal.
The “lisping” New York lawyer is portrayed by Nina Poulos from Davie. Boca Raton resident Leslie Kandel, Fort Lauderdale resident Stephanie Manner, Boynton Beach resident Jamie Mattocks and Fort Lauderdale resident Christian Cooper are seasoned actors who take on supporting roles, each in their own distinctive way. Miami Gardens resident and rising star Cameron Holder plays Dani.
Italians are involved in full force in this production, including Al Giordano, Pfeiffer, Prestigiacomo, Wilson, Benjamin Giordano and Cravero Pemberton.
From Brooklyn to Boca began as an idea shared by Sharon and Deni when the two met in the crowd attending one of Deni’s latest script presentations. (She is a screenwriter.)
“Sharon presented her concept, and I loved it,” noted Deni.
“That was the light bulb moment,” said Sharon. “I relayed my concept to her, and she made me an offer I couldn’t refuse to write the script.”
