The largest Jewish theatre on the West Coast, The Braid again explores the breadth and depth of what it means to be Jewish with their latest heartfelt, powerful – and completely true – stories about travel. “When I envisioned this show, I imagined a fun, breezy tour of the globe,” observed The Braid founder and artistic director Ronda Spinak. “But the stories I received pulled me in a deeper direction. In these times, many Jewish writers are seeing travel as more than just a fun time. They’re exploring our people’s history and grappling with our place in the world. And they’re finding that even as we explore places far from home, we’re actually journeying into ourselves and finding the roots of who we really are.” TRAVELER’S PRAYER director Susan Morgenstern adds that “It takes us all on the journey to these various places where we also feel our commonality as Jews…it’s beautiful to be able to sit in an audience and visit all these places while in community.”
Michael Naishtut, Jill Remez, and Amy Tolsky – Photo by David Chiu
The cast features three talented Braid veterans, Roni Geva, Michael Naishtut, and Jill Remez, as well as multi-talented Braid first-timer Amy Tolsky. Together they perform the true stories of a host of authors, including Sex and the City writer Cindy Chupack, novelist and screenwriter Lisa Pearl Rosenbaum, and Wilshire Boulevard Temple Rabbi Susan Nanus – to name a few – with music composed and performed by young Jewish songwriter Rhiannon Lewis.
Michael Naishtut, Roni Geva, Jill Remez, and Amy Tolsky – Photo by David Chiu
You may find yourself in Hiroshima, Israel, South Africa, Rome, or Thailand, to name but a few of the exotic and fascinating locations these authors have seen up close and personal and bring to audiences through their writing skills. There’s even an unexpected encounter with an ancient Roman mikvah. Rosenbaum wrestles with the question of what it means to be a Jew as she explores her identity, while Chupack hopes to see Pussy write a letter. One of the stories is performed by Remez, the writer as well as actor: “As one who’s done several Braid shows and has enjoyed telling the stories of others, writing for this show is such an honor. I hope my story can resonate with people as much as it did with me.”
Michael Naightut, Roni Geva, and Jill Remez – Photo by David Chiu
Skillfully helmed by Morgenstern, TRAVELER’S PRAYER offers 15 travel tales which will fascinate and grip audiences. You will be hard put not to roar with laughter at the hilarious “Pussy Writes a Letter” or feel tears stinging your eyes during “The Man in the Doorway” and “Kaddish.” With no props, costumes, or sets, the talented Braid crew brings these genuine, warm, and sincere stories to life solely by the power and truth they contain. This is a show which will entertain – but also make audience members think, consider, and question.
Jill Remez, Amy Tolsky, and Rhiannon Lewis – Photo by David Chiu
TRAVELER’S PRAYER runs through February 6, 2025, with performances across various dates and times. The Braid performs at convenient nearby locations around Los Angeles and the Bay Area, with two separate “Live on Zoom” performances at 11 a.m. on Sunday 2/2/25 and at 4 p.m. on Thursday 2/6/25. Please check the website for addresses and more detailed information. Tickets are $45 (students and young professionals $20; Angel ticket with a reserved seat $60). For information and reservations, call 310-315-1400 or go online.
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