Jewish Broadway composers not only told Jewish stories; they sung them into the American soul. ~Becca Myers, creator, “A Place For Us”
By Barrett Holman Leak
LA JOLLA, California — The Lawrence Family JCC hosted on Monday, June 30, a truly captivating performance titled “A Place For Us,” a musical exploration of the profound contributions of Jewish composers to Broadway.
The show was a resounding success, playing to a nearly sold-out house and earning a well-deserved standing ovation from an appreciative audience. Featuring five talented performers backed by a live band, the evening was a vibrant testament to the enduring legacy of these artists.
The performance’s creator and writer, Becca Myers, welcomed the audience with witty verses, setting a delightful tone before the musical journey began. The show then opened powerfully with the ensemble singing Irving Berlin’s iconic “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” immediately building an energetic and celebratory atmosphere. From there, the show skillfully navigated the rich landscape of American musical theater shaped by Jewish talent.
We traveled through history, learning that Irving Berlin, the child of Jewish immigrants to America, gifted the United States with over 1,500 compositions. The iconic duo George and Ira Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess was a highlight. Notably, for Porgy and Bess, George Gershwin extensively incorporated elements of African American musical forms – jazz, blues, and African-based Gullah folk culture – having immersed himself in the Gullah culture of South Carolina to authentically capture its musical essence.
Leonard Bernstein’s genius was highlighted with the unforgettable song “Tonight” from West Side Story, a landmark musical. Interestingly, as Becca Myers shared with us, West Side Story was originally conceived as “East Side Story” about a Jewish boy and an Irish Catholic girl, before evolving into the modern Romeo and Juliet story pitting a Puerto Rican gang against a White European gang.
More contemporary works by Stephen Schwartz, from Wicked, further demonstrated the breadth of this influence.
Jewish liturgy – prayer and song – reverberated throughout the performance. Patricia Jewel stirred the audience with rousing blows of the shofar, adding a powerful, resonant layer to the performance, while Bella Hicks captivated with her rendition of Barbra Streisand singing “Don’t Rain on My Parade” from the 1964 musical Funny Girl. Composed by Jule Styne with lyrics by Bob Merrill, it is most famously performed by Barbra Streisand, who originated the role of Fanny Brice in both the stage musical and the 1968 film adaptation.
Joshua David Cavanaugh masterfully sang with great humor, and DeAndre Simmons exuberantly danced across the stage, bringing forth echoes of Zero Mostel’s legendary portrayal of Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof as he sang “If I Were A Rich Man.”
It was an evening of hearing familiar songs and words that brought a unique blend of innovation, storytelling, and emotional depth to the stage, and reflected diverse aspects of both the Jewish and the American experience
Beyond the sheer musical brilliance, “A Place For Us” masterfully wove in a poignant historical context. Bella Myers interspersed storytelling and history throughout the evening, providing crucial insights. The devastating impact of pogroms, the Holocaust and the Jewish diaspora was powerfully conveyed through songs like those from Fiddler on the Roof, which directly depict the struggles of Jewish communities in Tsarist Russia facing violent attacks and forced displacement.
The musical powerfully conveyed themes of tradition, resilience, and the pain of being uprooted, resonating with universal experiences of migration. The performance itself expertly integrated these powerful songs with stark pieces of history, such as the sobering fact that Jews were prevented from buying houses in La Jolla until the 1960s—a visceral reminder of the pervasive antisemitism of the times.
It certainly touched upon the tension between universal artistic aspirations and particularistic cultural roots, a dynamic that profoundly shaped the output of many Jewish composers. “A Place For Us” underscored how, despite attempts to erase or diminish Jewish legacy, Jews have survived, thrived, and enriched the world, especially through Broadway. with unique voices, innovative techniques, and emotional depth.
Ultimately, “A Place For Us” is more than just a concert; it is a powerful affirmation of the enduring spirit of Jewish creativity. It reminds us that art transcends boundaries and that the search for belonging, expressed through music, is a universal human endeavor. By bringing these stories to the forefront with such talent and historical insight, the performance ensures that the “place” these composers forged in history is not forgotten, but celebrated for generations to come.
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Barrett Holman Leak is a San Diego-based freelance writer.
Sorry I didn’t know about this. I would have loved to attend. What about an “Encore” performance?