“Unlearn your disbelief, hold your cynicism loosely, and listen for the zing up your spine that lets you know you are fully alive, in a magical world, in the only moment that exists.”
A recording of Miss Apocalypse can be found here.
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ABOUT THE PROJECT
Purim surfaces the taboo, buffoonery, and catharsis of our tradition on a single night when we see the world as if it is turned upside down. We surface what is otherwise subverted, we lay bare the psyche, and we celebrate our folly.
Performance and ritual are technologies for transformation, empowerment, and transmutation. When we come together to create, to speak our truth, and to be witnessed in community, it changes us and our world. And so, our collective set out to gather passionate performers to co-create such a space, that would harness the liberatory power of play to bring light in the darkest of times.
The Purim Shpiel tradition has long been a space for political satire, critique, and the expression of rage, grief, and the urgent desire for change. At a time when current events feel absurdly sinister, we felt it was essential to ground our research in the ideological forces shaping both our government and contemporary Jewish life. We examined the role of Christian Nationalism, the weaponization of antisemitism by institutions like The Heritage Foundation—particularly through their initiative, Project Esther—and its entanglement with Jewish exceptionalism. We explored the origins of the Megillah, and dove into Ishtar mythology. We wrote spells and songs. We let impulse lead.
One week before the performance, we met in person for the first time, over a shabbat meal. We created ritual, set our intentions, and began to till the soil of our collective creative mission. On Saturday, our group scripted and learned lyrics and choreography. On Sunday we threw it all together. We see this mad dash creative process - the bravery, boldness, and irreverence it calls for - as a kind of portal for community catharsis and connection. And isn’t that just what we need in 2025?!
Performed March 14, 2025 at Chochmat Halev in Berkeley, CA. View the digital program here.
TESTIMONIALS
“Miss Apocalypse was truly a masterpiece. It was the rare piece of art that was able to be simultaneously provocative, hilarious, insightful, healing, and fun, which is a particularly impressive feat given the polarizing times that we’re in. The sophisticated humor and commentary was able to disarm people’s preconceived opinions and shift hearts-and-minds in a way that generated substantive discussion and introspection from people across the political spectrum; in a time of entrenched opinions and firmly-drawn ideological battle lines, this production managed to break through with intelligence and grace. The experience received rave reviews from people across age demographics, from teens to elders in their 70s and 80s. What made the show particularly powerful is how it managed to feel contemporary and relevant while being deeply rooted in ancient texts. The audience was blown away by the high level of production - more than one person remarked that it felt like a Broadway show.”
“Miss Apocalypse was the best ritual theatre experience I have ever had... and one of the most creative, relevant, hilarious, and uplifting performances I have ever seen.”
“I was surprised, delighted, and truly blown away. I felt touched that so many elements of our current social / spiritual / political reality was woven into the Purim parody. I had no idea this was possible and am so grateful for the minds and hearts that wove that brilliance into becoming. I found myself in deep awe and gratitude to be sharing in this wildly horrific and complex moment of humanity through the lens of belonging, joy, and revelry.”
“It was brilliant, hilarious, deep, connecting and hopeful. Being in that room Friday night, at the end, chanting and singing, I felt like you all put your finger on the root of the overwhelm and fear so many of us are feeling - you gave us hope and joy and energy and chutzpah to take on another day, together! Thank you!”
CONTRIBUTORS
Director: Nessa Norich
Writers: Nessa Norich, Kiki Lipsett, Hannah Roodman
Music director: Kiki Lipsett
Producers: Kiki Lipsett, Nessa Norich, Meirav Ong, Hannah Roodman, Meli Sobin
Cast: ilyse iris magy, Alex Freedman, Liliana Urbain, Michelle Rybka, Mackenzie Studebaker, Sylvie Stein, Meli Sobin, Hannah Roodman, Marni Levy, Brittany Berman, Wendi Wynazz, Shoshana Simons, Cameron Conklin, Rae Eilerman Messer, Ed Mirago, Lauren Arrow, Kiki Lipsett, Nessa Norich
Stage manager: Devorah Levy
Set designer: Meirav Ong
Set design team: Anya Riddel Kaufman, Deborah Ugoretz, Deena Levine-Lipsett, Marielle Olentine, Moriel Rothman-Zecher, Noah Schaefer and Vanessa Thill
Choreographres: Mack Studebaker and Sylvie Stein
Lighting: Sam Miller
Sound: Nick Chang
Tech: Ezra Reaves
Band: Liliana Urbain (drums), Nick Chang (guitar), Sam Miller (bass), Kiki Lipsett (keys), Matt Takiff (sax & violin)
Music: Parody song lyrics by Kiki Lipsett, Ishtar Chant by Lauren Arrow, “Carry This All” by Ahlay Blakely, “Net of Remembrance” by Ahlay Blakely
Video: Heritage Foundation Project Esther by Hannah Roodman