THE JEWISH DOG
SHOW INFO
Written by Yonatin Esterkin, adapted from the novel by Asher Kravitz
When Cyrus, a beloved family dog, is abandoned after his owners are arrested in Nazi Germany, he embarks upon a harrowing, emotional and often times humorous journey back to them, as we experience the horrors and miracles of the Holocaust through his perceptive and trusting eyes. Based on the acclaimed Israeli novel, THE JEWISH DOG is a powerful, one-actor play that will have you coming home to hug your best friend extra hard.
PRESS
“The Jewish Dog” Stage Show Brings Audience to 1945 Poland Through a Dog’s Eyes
Jewish Journal
PRODUCTION HISTORY
2007
The adaptation By Yonatan Esterkin premieres at the Simta Theatre at Jaffa, Tel Aviv, Israel
(Israel Independent Theatre Prize award for Best Actor). Runs for 3 years.
2014
Begins runs in Slovenia, China, India, Croatia, Bulgaria, and Israel (winning multiple Best Play and Best Actor Awards).
2022
American premiere at the Muckenthaler Pavilion in Orange County, CA
2023
Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles
The Holocaust Museum in Houston, Texas
2024
The Wallis-Annenberg Beverly Hills
CREATIVE TEAM
YONATAN ESTERKIN (Israeli Director and Playwright), Tel Aviv born, based in New York.
Holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and philosophy and MA in theatre research and directing.
After a 25-year carrier as a writer, director, public speaker and professor for theatre in Israel Europe LA and NY, recently founded and leads “The New Jewish theater in NYC”.
In Israel in Addition to a long term as Journalist and theatre teacher, he also directed at the Tel Aviv city theatre:” The Cameri Theatre”, “Habima National Theatre” and at “The Yiddish National theatre”. Was also head of the international department in Haifa theatre.
In Europe, worked at the Jewish Cultural Centre Ljubljana, Mini theatre Ljubljana, The Celja City theatre in Slovenia and the Slovenian National Theatre in Nova Gorica, as well as in the Gorki theatre in Berlin.
In LA, directed at the Odyssey Theatre, UCLA Theater, and the Wallis Annenberg Center.
Prominent Works as Director and writer:
“Shelter – After October 7” – New Jewish Theatre, Tank theatre New York – Writer Director
“Eating” – Immersive Dinner theatre experience based on the Biblical story - New Jewish Theatre – Director
“Dreyfuss in rehearsals - again! “– An adaption to the French play by Jean Clause Grimberg - – New Jewish Theatre, Tank theatre, Bronfman Center NYU. New York – Writer Director
“Hannah Arendt – The (In)Human Condition” – Mini Teater Ljubljana, Slovenia – Writer Director
“At Liberty” – Tennessee Williams – White Horse Theatre / Players Club, New York - Director
“Yaakobi and Leidental” – Hanoch Levin – Odyssey Theatre, Los Angeles - Director
“Black Box” – Amos Oz – UCLA Hillel / Fowler Museum, Los Angeles - Director
“Motl Son of Pesi the Cantor” – Sholem Aleichem – Israeli Yiddish Theatre – Adaptation and Director
“Some like it hot” – After the film – Israeli Yiddish theatre – Adaptation and Director
“Laughter of the Rat” – Nava Semel – City Theatre of Celje, Slovenia – Adaptation and Director
5 Kilos of Sugar” – Gur Koren – Nova Gorica National Theatre – Director
“Mister Mayor” – Habima National Theatre, Israel – Director
“Yakish and Pupche” – Hanoch Levin – Slovenian National Theatre, Nova Gorica – Director
“Don Juan TV” – adaptation after Molière – Cameri Theatre, Tel Aviv – Writer and Director
“Enemy of the Public” – adaptation after Ibsen – Cameri Theatre, Tel Aviv – Writer and Director
“The Jewish Dog” – Wallia Anenberg theatre Beverly hills LA – Writer and translator
“The Child behind the eyes” – Nava Semel – The celja city theatre Slovenia – Director (Winner of best actress award at the United Solo festival NYC)
