ARTS

Chutzpah! fest boss scoured the world for talent T he show will go on. Despite a border closed to all but essential travel, Jessica Mann Gutteridge has still succeeded in programming an by Charlie Smith Shtumer Shabes (Silent Sabbath), by Rokhl Kafrissen, focuses on a lost script of a play performed in Warsaw in 1938. On November 23, Ella Rothschild’s eight-day cultural smorgasbord from Can- dance work, Pigulim, will be presented from ada, the United States, the United King- the Tel Aviv Dance Festival. e following dom, and Israel. And the former lawyer evening, Israeli jazz pianist Guy Mintus has pulled this o even though she became will perform songs from his new album, A artistic managing director of the Chutzpah! Gershwin Playground, via livestream. Festival: e Lisa Nemetz Festival of Inter- “I’m actually so excited about all of our national Jewish Performing Arts less than a artists,” Gutteridge says, “because they’re all month before a pandemic was declared. such engaged, thoughtful, warm, and access-

“It’s been challenging but exhilarat- ible kind of people.” ing,” Gutteridge tells the Straight by She describes herself as a “Jewish New phone. “I have had to learn new skills. I Yorker”. When she moved to Vancouver have had to meet new people and develop six and a half years ago, she didn’t have any new working relationships. “I have been extremely lucky to have built Chutzpah! Festival artistic managing director Jessica Mann Gutteridge assembled a worldwide roster of comedy, dance, theatre, and musical acts in just a few months. Photo by Tallulah. connection to the local Jewish community. “But one of the rst things I saw was a big a phenomenal team that’s supporting this a small audience will be present for two Bahr from Los Angeles. poster advertising the Chutzpah! Festival and work, including our livestream director, shows: the world premiere of Idan Cohen’s “She will be interviewing the artists immediately felt at home here,” Gutteridge who is lling a new role that we never had Hourglass dance piece and the closing and moderating our postshow discussions reveals. “I’m glad that Jewish arts and culture to address before but is going to make every- night comedy show, both from the Nor- with the audience, as well as performing has a strong presence here in the Vancouver thing happen smoothly and beautifully.” man and Annette Rothstein eatre. her own show,” Gutteridge notes. arts scene and the Canadian arts scene. And Gutteridge has even achieved symmetry by presenting two comedy, two dance, two “We’ve set up a new way of entering and exiting the space so that we have a phys e festival will open on November 21 with singer-songwriter Ben Caplan. e I am happy that I get a chance to continue to promote that work in this community.” g theatrical, and two musical events. is re- ically distanced ow and people won’t be next day sees two theatre works in progress. ects the festival’s 20-year history of inter- crossing paths,” Gutteridge says. Old Friends, a solo piece by Vancouver The Chutzpah! Festival runs from November 21 disciplinary programming. Each live and simulcast event will be native Tamara Micner, revolves around to 28, live at the Norman and Annette Rothstein

Most will take place via livestream, but hosted by comedian and podcaster Iris a famous Simon & Garfunkel concert. Theatre and online.

presents pre p sentssents

theatre DAnce MULTIMEDIA MUSIC

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