Steph and Jess!
by Stephanie Rodgers and Jess Kaufman
Romemu, NYC 2012-2014
Steph and Jess!, a collaboration with Stephanie Rodgers, created original family theatre for Romemu, a reconstructionist Jewish community in NYC. Through original plays featuring Jewish folktales, audience interaction, and original and parody songs, we welcomed a diverse group of Jewish and interfaith families into holidays with joy, friendship, and laughter.
The Plays
Ten Minute Plays:
Gershie’s Monster - a modern retelling of the Yom Kippur fable
Zlateh the Goat - adapted from the Isaac Bashevis Singer short story
The Tzedakah Tree - original story about paying it forward (Rosh Hash.)
The Rude Vegetables - inspired by the picture book (Rosh Hashanah)
The Ziz on Yom Kippur - based on the Jewish fable character
Full-length (45 minute) shows for ages 4-8 include:
Snowed in for Chanukah - in this original musical, a blizzard traps two friends inside with no electricity for eight hours. With only a single candle and a battery powered radio to keep them company, will they find a way to save the Chanukah party?
Birthday Party for the World - this original Rosh Hashanah variety show included skits, activities, original songs, and a focus on conservation. Each iteration also included an original short play.
Silly Sorry Party - this original Yom Kippur variety show included yoga, activities, and original songs. Each iteration also included an original short play.
Back in Time - It’s a very special Rosh Hashanah, but Jess couldn’t care less - she’s been too busy building her prototype time machine. When Steph hits the wrong button and is catapulted back in time! On her journey back to the present, she meets Jews from history, ending with a lesson on miracles from no less than Albert Einstein himself in this hilarious parody-song-filled musical.
Chanu-Thanksgiving-kah Spectactular - Jess and Steph are throwing a party! Jess thinks it’s Chanukah. Steph thinks it’s Thanksgiving. Who’s right? They both are! Watch them race to combine the parties before the guests arrive in this madcap musical with parody songs. (Created for the holidays in 2013, when the two did actually coincide.)
Photo gallery
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Audiences say…
"They are super cool and I love Jess and Steph and they are sooooo funny. It's like my favorite thing ever.” (Ruby, age 5)
“Steph and Jess are so talented. I've been in rooms with over one hundred people (babies through adults) so transfixed on their show you can hear a pin drop in the room. They are funny, adorable, wildly creative, and so entertaining you don't want their show to end.” (Sharon, audience parent)
“Witty and entertaining for both children and adults. My daughter was dancing and smiling throughout the whole show. She woke up the next morning asking for more! Even I had some songs happily stuck in my head! (Naomi, audience parent)
“I love Steph and Jess. I hope they come back soon. They are amazing. I mean amazing.” (Eliana, age 5)
Da-da. Da-da! (Gideon, age 11 months)