We are so excited to share that The New Jewish Theatre has received 24 nominations in the prestigious St. Louis Theatre Circle Awards 2023 for its 11th annual celebration. This year’s event sees The New Jewish Theatre’s production of Into the Woods getting the most nominations out of the recognized plays. Over our 25-year history, The New Jewish Theatre has been nominated for 156 awards and received 29 wins. Let’s take a closer look at which productions presented by The New Jewish Theatre were nominated for the St. Louis Theatre Circle Awards 2023. 

Into the Woods

Into the Woods is a captivating musical that weaves various classic fairy tales into one adventurous story. The plot centers around a Baker and his wife, who are without children, as they undertake a mission to lift a witch’s curse hindering them from having a family. 

On their journey, they encounter well-known characters like Cinderella, aspiring to attend the King’s Festival, and Jack, hoping for his cow to produce milk. As the narrative progresses, these characters grapple with their desires, deal with repercussions, and learn profound lessons about ambition, accountability, and life’s intricacies.

Into the Woods was nominated for 12 awards, including:

 

  • Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical
  • Outstanding Production of a Musical
  • Outstanding Sound Design: Amanda Werre
  • Outstanding Musical Director: Larry D. Pry
  • Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Musical, Female or Non-Binary Role: Kristen Joy Lintvedt
  • Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Musical, Male or Non-Binary Role: Phil Leveling
  • Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical: Jayson M. Lawshee
  • Outstanding Set Design in a Musical: C. Otis Sweeney
  • Outstanding Performer in a Musical, Female or Non-Binary Role: Molly Wennstrom
  • Outstanding Performer in a Musical, Male or Non-Binary Role: Kevin O’Brien
  • Outstanding Director of a Musical: Robert Quinlan

Broadway Bound

Broadway Bound is a heartwarming dramatic comedy that follows the journey of two brothers, Eugene and Stanley, who aspire to make their mark in professional comedy writing. Set against the backdrop of their parents’ tumultuous relationship, the play offers a captivating blend of humor and drama. 

The plot delves into the complexities of family dynamics, personal ambition, and the struggles of the first-generation American Jewish community in working-class Brooklyn. Throughout the narrative, the characters navigate change, face their flaws, and grapple with opportunities and guilt, providing a poignant commentary on life and ambition.

Broadway Bound was nominated for 6 awards, including:

 

  • Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy 
  • Outstanding Production of a Comedy
  • Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Comedy, Female or Non-Binary Role: Christina Rios
  • Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Comedy, Male or Non-Binary Role: Chuck Brinkley
  • Outstanding Performer in a Comedy, Male or Non-Binary Role: Jacob Flekier
  • Outstanding Director of a Comedy: Alan Knoll

The Immigrant

The Immigrant is a deeply moving play based on the true story of Haskell Harelik, a young Russian-Jewish man who escapes the pogroms in Eastern Europe and arrives in America through the port of Galveston. Harelik’s journey takes him to the small Baptist community of Hamilton, Texas, where he starts his new life by pushing a banana cart around the town. 

The narrative explores Haskell’s struggles and experiences as an immigrant, the tension between his heritage and his new environment, and his eventual establishment of roots in the Texas community. Over time, the play beautifully captures the growth of Haskell’s family and their integration into American society, offering a poignant commentary on immigration, cultural assimilation, and the American dream.

The Immigrant was nominated for 7 awards, including:

 

  • Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama
  • Outstanding Production of a Drama
  • Outstanding Costume Design in a Play: Michele Friedman Siler
  • Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Drama, Female or Non-Binary Role: Mindy Shaw
  • Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Drama, Male or Non-Binary Role: David Wassilak
  • Outstanding Performer in a Drama, Male or Non-Binary Role: Dustin Lane Petrillo
  • Outstanding Director of a Drama: Rebekah Scallet

Jewish Theatre in St. Louis

The support from the Missouri Arts Council and the Regional Arts Commission has been instrumental in fostering our professional theatre program. The council’s commitment to cultural equity and inclusion is mirrored in our own dedication to creating performances that reflect the diversity of experiences, particularly the Jewish experience. The nominations we have received are a testament to the relevance and resonance of our work. We extend an invitation to everyone to come and support local art by attending one of our upcoming performances. Your presence not only supports us but also contributes to the vibrant arts culture in St. Louis.