Crossing Delancey at Skokie Theatre

At some point in our lives, we all have to make a choice. Do we follow the path laid out for us by others or do we break from tradition and go our own way? This is the choice that Isabella faces in Crossing Delancey, a sly romantic comedy by Susan Sandler.

Crossing Delancey has charmed audiences for decades as it explores the bonds of family and tradition; the culture clash of old East Side and new West Side; and the romantic benefits of a new hat. Isabelle Grossman is a young Jewish girl who is living the dream. She has a rent-controlled apartment in New York’s upper West Side, a job at a prestigious independent bookstore, plenty of friends, and a handsome local author to dream about. None of this matters to her Bubbie, however, a strong-minded, fiercely loving, traditional Jewish grandmother, who worries about single Isabelle, living alone in a room, like a dog! Unbeknownst to Isabelle, Bubbie hires a marriage broker to save the day -- and she is introduced to pleasant and unassuming Sam, who runs his own pickle stand on the Lower East Side. Isabelle does not believe she could have anything in common with a pickle man , but just as she seems to be getting the attention of Tyler Moss -- the highbrow writer after whom she has been hankering -- Isabelle is blindsided by Sam’s subtle wit and wisdom. Can Sam persuade Isabelle to change her style, after all? Will Bubbie cleverly maneuver them together?

Crossing Delancey was written by Susan Sandler. It was first produced in 1985. In 1998, Sandler turned her play into a critically-acclaimed movie that starred Amy Irving and David Hyde Pierce. Jewish stage actress Reizl Bozyk made her only film appearance as Bubbie, recreating the role she played on Broadway.

Crossing Delancey stars Chicago actress Daniella Rukin as Isabelle. With Kevin Costello, Nat Kier, Debra Rodkin, and Anita Silvert in the role of Bubbie. It is directed by Joseph Jefferson Award-winner Stephen M. Genovese.

Crossing Delancey runs February 2 to February 18, 2018. Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 2:00 pm, with a matinee on Wednesday, February 14 at 1:30 pm. Tickets are $34 general admission, $29 for seniors, and $24 for students and can be purchased online at SkokieTheatre.org or by calling 847-677-7761. Use promotion code PATCH for $5 off your ticket.