Local News
Jewish performers at the Fringe Festival
Introduction: As has been our custom over the years, we present previews of various Fringe shows that feature Jewish performers (or writers) – some from Winnipeg, some from other cities. This year’s Fringe Festival begins July 19 and runs through July 30. (We apologize if we may have missed someone – but if we have, it’s not too late to contact us and we’ll get a blurb up for you on our website.)
A One Human Being, Potentially Comedic Performance of….
LES MIS
A parody musical written & performed by Alli Perlov
Alli Perlov has been a theatre kid her entire life. Her experiences include training at Manitoba Theatre for Young People, a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Winnipeg, and a brief career in film and television in her teens.
For the past 12 years, Perlov has been a performing arts teacher in Winnipeg, teaching courses in musical theatre, improv and drama to students from Grades 6 to 12. In an effort to continue practicing what she teaches, Alli Perlov has mounted two one-person Fringe plays starting in 2017 and brings her third to this year’s festival with her show
Venue # 8: The Rachel Browne Theatre
“Perlov’s tongue-in-cheek parody is also steeped in a palpable sweetness that would melt even the most hardened revolutionary’s heart – 4 ½ Stars” Winnipeg Free Press, 2018
Some teachers take the summer off to recharge, while others mount a one-person Fringe festival show. In a revamped version of her successful 2018 sell out production “A One Human Being Potentially Comedic Performance of Les Miserables”, local performing arts teacher Alli Perlov aims to leave the audience in stitches as she performs 30 characters from the iconic musical based off the Victor Hugo novel.
In a musical parody full of charm and can-do spirit, Perlov tackles the task of making “try-hard” a compliment. Condensing the score to 52 minutes, and weaved with narrative, critiques and silly puns, everyone in the theatre is guaranteed a good time and a load of laughs.
Everything is Super Wow: Lots of Jewish
content!! created by Ira Cooper,
son of Winnipeger Gayle Myers
Come see a foot-fuelled, slapstick tragedy about bikepacking, dreaming big and giving up in your 30s. Follow Super Wow along a kinetic journey filled with new music, peppy puppets and awkwardly captivating dance breaks. Nominated for Outstanding Clown Show (Montreal) “I was entranced by Ira’s performance” – Sarah Deshaies, CKUT Radio “A great clown should be funny, courageous, vulnerable, and have a voice that needs to be heard. Super Wow formerly Mr. Coffeehead is all of that and more.“ – Bob Frazer
Spec Theatre
Venue #20 – The Studio at Théâtre Cercle Molière St Boniface
Teaching Shakespeare
Since debuting at the 1999 Montreal Fringe Festival, Teaching Shakespeare has had over 150 performances across Canada, and two theatrical runs in New York City.
This “formidably delightful” (Off-Off Broadway Review) parody of a college Shakespeare class and portrait of a frustrated actor turned frustrated professor last seen in Winnipeg in 2014, is returning to the 2023 Winnipeg Fringe Festival. However, the multiple award-winning monologue now has new material as the inept teacher has aged and is a senior citizen. Dr. Keir is still desperate to achieve his professional goals but now time is definitely running out!
Teaching Shakespeare received the “Overall Excellence Award – Solo” at the New York Fringe Festival in 2000, heldover at the Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton fringe festivals, selected for Centaur Theatre’s Wildside Festival, Victoria’s Uno Festival, London, Ontario’s Oh Solo Mio Festival, selected “Best in Fest” at the Orlando Fringe Festival, and televised nationally in Canada on BRAVO!
“I remember Teaching Shakespeare as one of the most enjoyable Fringe productions of the last decade. Actor/academic Keir Cutler gave us Dr. Keir, a self-styled Shakespeare expert giving a university class. It was the class from hell. Keir pulled off the amazing feat of feeding you some fascinating minutiae about Shakespeare while leaving you laughing at the awesome ineptitude of the teacher.” – Colin MacLean, Edmonton Sun.
Montrealer Keir Cutler has been called “a masterful entertainer,” (Winnipeg Free Press) “a marvel to watch,” (Toronto Sun) and “a phenomenal performer!” (winnipegonstage.com). Venue #10 -Planetarium Auditorium 190 Rupert Ave. – (theatre on lower level).
Melanie Gall – in 3 separate shows!
1- The American Songbook Experience
Move over, Frank Sinatra! Melanie Gall presents the story of the American Songbook – from the songwriters of Tin Pan Alley to the stages of Broadway and the Hollywood musicals of the 1930s and 1940s – with hits by George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and other superstars of popular song. Featuring a dozen hits, including On the Sunny Side of the Street, I’m in the Mood for Love, Moon River and Stardust.Melanie Gall is the award-winning performer of Fringe sellout hits Ingenue, Piaf and Brel (5 STARS – Winnipeg Free Press) and Toast to Prohibition (5 STARS – Edmonton Journal). Her historic music shows have been performed in over 30 countries, as well as off-Broadway in New York and at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
2- Ingenue
Melanie Gall’s award-winning musical is back! Chosen as one of the top Fringe shows worldwide and mounted off-Broadway at SoHo Playhouse in 2019. Judy is an icon, loved as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. But in the 1930s, Deanna, “Winnipeg’s Sweetheart”, was the bigger star. While Judy struggled for success, Deanna became the idol of millions. Ingénue tells the true tale of the lifelong friendship – and rivalry – of these teen idols of Old Hollywood. “Gall is astonishing” – Metro Arts, 5 STARS Adelaide Advertiser, 4.5 STARS Winnipeg Free Press
3- Opera Mouse
Tilly Mouse lives under an opera house and she just loves to sing! But whenever anybody sees her, they scream and run away. With determination, imagination and help from her friends, Tilly proves that even a mouse can be a star! Featuring songs and arias from several operas, including Gianni Schicchi, Carmen and The Magic Flute. Opera Mouse has been performed in venues all around the world, ranging from a theatre in Canada and an orphanage in Morocco to a school in Sudan and a shopping mall in Algeria. “Best kids show” – CBC Manitoba
Adam Schwartz
Adam writes: “I have 2 shows this year. Neurohilarity which features the 5 funniest neurodivergent comedians in Winnipeg. Carole Cunningham, (The Debaters) Scott Koropas,(Yuk Yuks) Danielle Kayhara, (Winnipeg Comedy Fest) Quinn and Kane Greene (Winnipeg comedy fest) and Adam Schwartz with guest appearances by Jewish comedians Dan Goldberg and Willlw Rosenberg.
“I also have my solo show How I Met My First Neurodivergent Friend. A storytelling show about how growing up Adam kept his distance from people who were different because he thought it would make it harder to fit in. One day Adam woke up 36-years-old alone and lonely so he created his own community (Neurohilarity). “
OBSESSION: The Elizabeth Smart Musical
Robbi Goltsman-Ferris is the writer/producer of a show premiering at the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival this year. Called “OBSESSION: The Elizabeth Smart Musical,” this moving production reveals the tragedies and triumphs of a female writer ahead of her time. It features Phil Corrin as the musical director, and Kelly Robinson and Kyra Krassnigg as two members of a remarkably talented and seasoned cast of six, including professional performers Brittany Hunter and Reid McTavish and director/choreographer Laura Kolisnyk.
The show features eight performances at Venue 4, the Center Culturel Franco-Manitobain (CCFM) on 340 Provencher Blvd, which offers FREE PARKING!!
Local News
Nakba exhbit at CMHR – you can see it right here and make your own assessment
By BERNIE BELLAN (Posted June 26, updated July 19) The Nakba exhibit at the Canadian Exhibit for Human Rights opened to the public June 27. The morning before the exhibit was set to open to the public, (it had a private opening for invited guests the evening of June 26) we received a press release from the CMHR. That press release gave a very detailed description of what was in the exhibit, along with photos (supplied by Annie Kierans of the CMHR).
There is also a link right at the beginning of the press release that will allow you to watch the same videos that anyone attending the exhibit can watch. We reprinted what was sent to us without making one edit. We leave it to you to form your own opinion as to whether the exhibit is fair in its presentation, and whether it is lacking “context” – which is an accusation that has been levelled at the exhibit’s organizers by some representatives of Jewish organizations.
We have received many emails in reaction to the exhibit. If you have an opinion and would like to see it published on this website, you can send it to jewishp@mymts.net, but please indicate whether you would be willing to have it published on this website.
Here is what we received the morning of June 26:
Winnipeg, MB — June 26, 2026 — The Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) will open a new exhibit tomorrow that explores human rights violations related to the ongoing forced displacement of Palestinian Canadians.
Palestine Uprooted: Nakba Past and Present will be on display in the Rights Today gallery on Level 5 until 2028. Featuring personal stories told through artifacts and video testimonies, the exhibit presents Palestinian Canadians reflecting on their ongoing struggle for human rights. The small exhibit reveals enduring patterns of loss and resilience, helping visitors understand more about this contemporary human rights story.
Palestinian Canadian stories are now included alongside many other stories of forced displacement and human rights violations featured in the Museum’s galleries. Each of these stories contribute to our visitors understanding of human rights and help the Museum fulfill its mandate to foster reflection and dialogue.
Exhibition highlights
Personal stories and artifacts: Experience firsthand accounts from Palestinian Canadians sharing their journeys of displacement and memory through a series of five artifacts. Cases display artifacts like property deeds, house keys, and a traditional Palestinian embroidered dress, accompanied by short videos that deepen understanding of the impacts of displacement.
Powerful artworks: In her painting Bound Together in Gaza, Malak Mattar, a Gazan artist, captures the struggles and resilience of her generation shaped by conflict. Her work pays homage to Guernica, Picasso’s powerful masterpiece depicting civilian suffering during war.
Curfews and Closures, by Rajie Cook, bears witness to life under military occupation during the 2000–2005 Palestinian uprising, when curfews and closures were expanded and further limited basic rights and freedoms.
Cultural heritage: Discover traditional Palestinian embroidery called tatreez. Tatreez motifs and colours are tied to place, family history and regional identity. Patterns are associated with particular towns, villages or areas of Palestine. In this way, tatreez is a form of storytelling: a way of preserving memory, sustaining identity and expressing resilience across displacement and exile.
Poetry and reflection: Engage with Mahmoud Darwish’s evocative verses, inspiring personal reflection on exile, voice, and responsibility. Visitors can take a card containing Darwish’s poem and add a personal note, fostering ongoing dialogue beyond the exhibit.
Contemporary context: Witness striking images of current events in Gaza and the West Bank, connecting past displacement to ongoing struggles.
Quotes:
“No force can silence the truth we carry. Growing up in Canada, my children lived the Nakba through our stories. And now we watch it happen again, live, on our phones. When I see the images coming out of Gaza, I am not watching the news. I am watching my history repeat itself.” -Fouad Sahyoun, a Palestinian Canadian featured in the exhibit
“We developed this exhibit with a clear awareness that Palestinian Canadian voices have too often been marginalized, silenced or spoken over — and that anti-Palestinian racism affects whose stories are heard and whose suffering is recognized. That is why we intentionally centred Palestinian Canadian voices throughout the exhibit.” -Isabelle Masson, Curator of Palestine Uprooted
“Human rights matter precisely when they are inconvenient, when the question of who deserves the dignity of having their rights recognized is genuinely contested. These are the moments where having a national museum for human rights is most important.
There are people who believe this exhibit should not exist in its current form. There are people who believe it should have existed sooner. There are people who will visit this exhibit and feel that it does not say enough, and others who will feel it says too much.
We have listened to every one of these voices. We have reflected. And we have renewed our resolve to continue the difficult, sometimes contested, and often controversial work of building understanding about human rights. We are a museum grounded in Canada’s human rights framework, whose mandate requires us to bear witness to the full complexity of the human story. We are proud to open this exhibit because the story it tells will help achieve that mandate, and because this story belongs in the collective memory of Canadians.”
- – Isha Khan, CEO
Local News
A photo that’s being circulated on the internet about me
For those of you not familiar with nutjob Michael Kalo – the psycho who created the notorious “$hitler’s List” years ago and the same psycho who went after Ben Carr, well – now he’s obviously taken a strong disliking to the stance I’ve taken on the Nakba exhibit at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. (You can read elsewhere on this website how I simply posted the entire exhibit as it is – and asked readers to form their own opinions.)
Kalo likes to send out emails to various individual using phony names – such as Frank Ostrowski. When people ask me (or asked Ben Carr) why we don’t take action against him, my answer is: What’s the use? He only basks in the attention.
So Michael – enjoy the attention you’re receiving. I know how much of an embarrassment you are to your wonderfully talented daughters.
Local News
Ami Hassan returning as owner of Falafel Place
By BERNIE BELLAN In a surprise move – and after more than a six-year absence as owner of Falafel Place (Corydon at Wilton) the legendary Ami Hassan has decided to return as owner of one of Winnipeg’s most famous eateries.
Long known for his sometimes irreverent attitude to his customers, e.g., “If you’re finished, get out!”, Ami decided to return to running Falafel Place after having retired years ago (or so he thought) from running the Corydon Avenue restaurant.
We asked Ami whether he’ll be sending a special invitation to Julia Roberts to come visit him at Falafel Place. He asked again: “Who’s Julia Roberts?” (Just kidding – he really does know how Julia Roberts is.) Read the story how Ami told her to leave the restaurant and come back later at Julia Roberts turned away from Falafel Place
Ami did note that when customers saw him inside the restaurant one recent day as he was getting it ready for the reopening Monday, August 10, over 20 of them came in asking him if he was open already.
We asked Ami whether the menu will be the same as it was when he last ran the place and he said everything will be the same.
Falafel Place will be open 7 days a week from 7 am – 2 pm. Remember, if you’re finished – get out!
