Bet Torah Celebrates 25th Purimspiel in Uproarious Style Mermaidspiel!!! The "Tail" of the Shane Mermaidella

Mount Kisco, NY – (February 6, 2017) – In late 1991, Chappaqua residents Alynne Amkraut Krull and Harriet Schleifer had a creative brainstorm- why not put on a traditional Purim parody at their synagogue, Bet Torah? Krull, an actor, offered to take a stab at adapting the Purim holiday narrative into an “understudy becomes the star” 42nd Street Hollywood saga that was presented in 1992 titled Purim Goes Hollywood. A quarter-century later, Krull and the Purimspiel!!! At Bet Torah continue to delight audiences young and old with their annual theatrical production. Mermaidspiel!!! The "Tail" of the Shane Mermaidella, premiering on March 12, celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Bet Torah Purimspiel, an anniversary that speaks greatly to the continuing leadership of Alynne Krull all these years.

The Jewish festival of Purim retells the story of Jews in Ancient Persia who are saved from a villain named Haman by a brave heroine, Esther. The story, read from a scroll called a Megillah, includes several supporting characters – King Achashverosh; his wife, the evil Queen Vashti; and Mordechai, a Jewish leader and cousin of Esther. The holiday traditionally is celebrated by acts of charity and merrymaking, including a Purimspiel.

Bet Torah’s 25th Purimspiel, Mermaidspiel!!!, will take place Sunday, March 12, with family and dinner theatre shows. This original Purim parody continues to be almost entirely performed, written, accompanied, built, made and run by roughly 40 crazy/zany/caring congregants and Bet Torah staff and volunteer VIPs who love to "ham" it up, design costumes and props, play in the talented live band, and much more. One of Bet Torah's true community events, the Purimspiel cast spans nine decades in age and entertains hundreds of audience members, ranging in age from infant to 100! This year’s cast and crew include 20+ principals and walk-ons, a 10-congregant band that includes several professional musicians, and numerous congregants handling show production, costumes/props/scenic construction, lighting, graphic design, videotaping, ushering, and program production.

“I couldn’t do this without the dedication of others,” says playwright and director Krull. “Over the years, Wendy Goodman has become a sounding board and collaborator on the script writing, and she’s very adept at song parody lyrics. The talented Mike Rosenman has been integral to many of the Purimspiels, contributing to the creative process, arranging the music, and serving as music director. Lisa Ginsberg, Bet Torah’s current president, wrote three of the Purimpsiel shows and Dan Baitch wrote two shows. They each took a stab at directing once as well. I wrote the other shows, with significant creative input and collaboration from Wendy. Many other cast members and congregants have contributed over the years, filling a range of needs critical to mounting each show.”

Krull and Goodman generally begin work over the summer, producing a new show every two years and resurrecting one of the better past plays in alternate years:

2016 – The Wizard of Purimland

2015 – The Lyin’ King

2014 – Purimella!!!

2013 – Essie’s Fables – Once Upon A Purimspiel

2012 – Purim Goes Hollywood, Take 3

2011 – Esther’s Best Western

2010 – Star Shlep

2009 – Frankenspiel

2008 – Hairspiel

2006 – The King and E

2005 – Purim Idol

2004 – Purimella!!!

2003 – Esther’s “Best” Western

2002 – The Wizard of Purimland

2001 – 2001: A Purim Idiocy

2000 – Purimbillies!

1999 – Purim Guise ‘N’ Dollz

1998 – Purim Goes Hollywood, Take 2

1997 – Purimella!!!

1996 – The Wizard of Purimland

1995 – The Purimstones

1994 – The PurimArabian Nights

1993 – SUPERPURIM!!! Or the Fantastic Adventures of JEWISHGIRL!!!

1992 – Purim Goes Hollywood

All but two of this year’s performers are veterans, including Harriet Schleifer (part of the 1992 cast and most years since), Mount Kisco residents Andy Weissman (first appeared in 1995) and Jamie (since 1993) and Paul Rosenfeld (since 1992), and Chappaqua resident Morris Glassman (1992 debut). Grandpa Mikee Green, who will celebrate his 96th birthday just days before this year’s show, is a perennial walk-on favorite.

Tickets for the Real Meal with a Spiel Dinner Show on Sunday March 12, 5:00pm, are $30 per person by March 3 and $35 after.

Bet Torah has been serving the local community from its current Mount Kisco location on Smith Avenue since 1950. The largest Conservative Jewish congregation in Northern Westchester, Bet Torah has over 500 member families.

For more information and to order tickets, contact Andy Weissman at asw9387@aol.com.