Sarasota Jewish Theatre (SJT) has announced its summer play reading series, Newish Jewish Plays, which will take place from July 15 through 29 on Mondays at 7 p.m. The series includes Dancing on Glass by Gary Morgenstein, Original Tenants by Carole Braverman and We Are the Levinsons by Wendy Kout. Readings are presented at The Players Centre Studio 1130 at the Crossings at Siesta Key mall. 

“Newish Jewish Plays reflects my commitment to bringing new plays to Sarasota, reflecting the forward movement of the world, our changing values, and the important events and contemporary issues that shape our lives today," says Carole Kleinburg, SJT's artistic director, who will direct We Are the Levinsons.

The three pieces were picked from a submission of 19 new plays by Jewish playwrights or from a selection of plays dealing with Jewish content. After each reading, audience members will be asked to complete evaluation forms, which will help SJT decide if any of the shows are appropriate to fully stage during its 2025-2026 season. 

Here's some more information about each piece.

Dancing on Glass by Gary Morgenstein, directed by Blake Walton

July 15, 7 p.m.

Gary Morgenstein’s ripped-from-the-headlines new play Dancing on Glass draws two broken families into an explosive public case of anti-Semitism, political bullying and issues of parenting, all triggered by the firing of a Jewish teacher of Israeli-Palestinian studies. The show is directed by Blake Walton, the managing director of SaraSolo Productions and an award-winning director, published playwright, and teacher who has also been a professional actor for 40 years.

Original Tenants by Carole Braverman, directed by Steve Black

July 22, 7 p.m.

When a daughter visits her ailing mother in the Bensonhurst neighborhood of Brooklyn, memories of lost loves and broken friendships are awakened. (Think: Our Town for Brooklyn Jews of a certain age.) Director Steve Black is the artistic director at Sarasota Area Playwrights Society who has worked in theaters across the United States and abroad for more than 40 years. 

We Are the Levinsons by Wendy Kout, directed by Carole Kleinberg

July 29, 7 p.m. 

What happens when an adult daughter moves in with her newly widowed father and tries to control the next steps in his life? An alternate title for this play might be Daughter Knows Best—Or Not? This play rekindles family memories with fondness and humor. 

For more information, click here. To purchase single tickets ($12), visit theplayers.org or call (941) 365-2494; tickets for the entire three-play series ($30) can only be purchased by calling (941) 365-2494.