Out of Character
Dates : January 8, 2025 — January 26, 2025
Tony Award-winner Ari’el Stachel’s one-man show brings to life a full ensemble of characters from his past to illuminate what it means to pursue – and accept – our complex identity.
JanUARY 8–26, 2025
Out of Character
Written and performed by Ari’el Stachel
Directed by Tony Taccone
A Berkeley Rep production co-presented by Theater J and Mosaic Theater Company of DC
Tony Award-winner Ari’el Stachel’s one-man show brings to life a full ensemble of characters from his past to illuminate what it means to pursue – and accept – our complex identity. From hilarious sweat-gland cures to earnest investigations, Out of Character weaves an expansive autobiographical tale of his Yemeni Jewish mixed ethnicity, mental health, and success – all to the tune of relentless humor and extraordinary talent.
Few artists can embody such a wide repertoire of true stories, from childhood to fame, with such compassion and specificity. As a child, Ari’el transfers schools and changes wardrobes and tastes in music to mixed results, naming the pain and confusion of belonging to many ethnic groups all at once. As an adult, he battles chronic anxiety in front of audiences of thousands, managing the panic in order to achieve his dreams. In a world that defines who we are as checkboxes for middle-eastern, white, Jewish, and Other, Ari’el pursues a life where all his identities can breathe as one.
Content Advisory: Drug use and strong adult language, including use of the “n” word (spoken by an Ashkenazi/ Yemeni person, not used pejoratively.) References mental health issues.
Parking Information: To reserve a spot, please click here.
About the Production
*Appearing through an Agreement between this theater, Theater J, and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States
Director: Tony Taccone**
Set Design: Afsoon Pajoufar+
Costume Design: Maggi Yule+
Lighting and Projections Design: Alexander V. Nichols+
Sound Design and Dramaturg: Madeleine Oldham
Props Design: Pamela Weiner
Assistant Scenic Designer: Sarah Beth Hall
Associate Projections Designer: Ahren Buhmann
Production Stage Manager: Shay O’Neill*
Assistant Stage Manager: Grace Carter
*Appearing through an Agreement between this theater, Theater J, and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States
**The Director is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), a national theatrical labor union.
+Member of United Scenic Artists Local 829
Mindy Gasthalter
M. Craig Pascal
Stuart Sotsky
Jim Feldman and Natalie Wexler
Creative Connections
Join us for powerful pre and post-show conversations with expert guests to deep dive the themes of Out of Character
Creative Connections events are free and open to the public.
We are piloting a new caption system and will be offering open captioning performances.
Pre-show conversations are a highly participatory event! Before you head to your theater seat, stop by the Polinger Meeting Room for an introduction to the play from Theater J’s Education Programs Manager Hester Kamin. This will be a lively discussion around themes from the play, including mental illness, feelings of otherness, and what it means to hold space for multiple cultures and identities.
Josh Maxey, Executive Director of Bet Mishpachah, DC’s LGBTQ+ Synagogue, will join Ari’el Stachel for a lively discussion after the show.
Join us after the play for a discussion with Hester Kamin, Theater J Education Programs Manager, who will join Ari’el Stachel after the show for a conversation focused on the play’s themes.
Actors Sophia Early and Alina Collins Maldonado will join Ari’el Stachel after the show to speak about how they create and share stories as artists who embrace and navigate intersectionality.
Pre-show conversations are a highly participatory event! Before you head to your theater seat, stop by the Polinger Meeting Room for an introduction to the play from Theater J’s Education Programs Manager Hester Kamin.
Schedule
Your Name Means Dream
Prayer for the French Republic
The Berlin Diaries
Support Theater J
As the nation’s largest and most prominent Jewish theater, we aim to preserve and expand a rich Jewish theatrical tradition and to create community and commonality through theater-going experiences. Join us in our mission today.