Frannie Sheridan's one-woman stage play Confessions of a Jewish Shiksa: Dancing on Hitler's Grave! hit The Colony Theatre stage in Miami Beach March 13th & 14th for a special run. Sheridan, a former stand up comic, serves up the story of her life with confidence and spirit while sprinkling the stage with Yiddish catch phrases like Kosher salt.
The current reincarnation of her life story stems from The Waltonsteins, a dramatic play based on her family's unique and compelling story. Narrating the story is Sheridan in the form of adorable 8 year old Frannie. Sheridan effortlessly shapeshifts into her mama and papa, sisters, brother and neighbors while the remarkable story unfolds. Papa's post-traumatic stress caused by both the Holocaust and a violent anti-Semitic attack in Canada led the family to hide their Jewish heritage and try to blend in as Catholic.
The blending in part is where Sheridan goyishly infuses her own brand of humour into accounts of mama's circumsized ginger bread cookies and eggnog flavored Challah. Sheridan's interpretation of papa's Freudian philosophy and hysterical attempts "to pass" in church and society as Catholic are.... oy vey Maria...brilliant.
The show has many tender and troubling moments as Sheridan lets the audience into the world of a paranoid father, a proud and headstrong German mother, confused siblings, racist neighbors, a divided family and an innocent little girl.
At the show's end, Sheridan graciously gives credit to contributors of her show, lighting designer Miguel Ferreira and Composer Michael Yannette. They clearly move Sheridan's story along by contributing thoughtful lighting design and music compositions which cloak the darkness of her story and shed light on the moments of comedy and clarity.
In the talkback after the show, an audience member asks Sheridan, "What do you think of Adolf Hitler?" Her response, "I'm just glad he didn't win. You are what you are."
I say Amen and L'chaim to that sister!
To find our more about Frannie Sheridan and information on future showdates, visit www.FrannieSheridan.com .
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