OY TO THE WORLD: A HANUKKAH REVUE RETURNS - The Bridge Initiative - November 29-30, 2026

Oy to the World returns to ASU Kerr for a joyful celebration of Jewish culture through music, storytelling and humor!

Created by local artists Rebecca and Josh Weinstein, Oy to the World is a family-friendly production that offers a vibrant alternative to traditional holiday entertainment.

This festive cabaret-style revue features powerhouse vocals, audience singalongs, and seasonal favorites by Jewish composers. An updated script and new musical selections refresh the production while preserving the warmth and impact of its premiere last December.

Co-presented by The Bridge Initiative and ASU Kerr.

Director: Rebecca Weinstein

Music director: Josh Weinstein

Cast: Tatum Crainman, Justin Lewis, Lindsey Murphy and Max Nussbaum

Band: Josh Condon, Mike Fowler, Barbara Walker and Josh Weinstein

CLICK HERE for more information, and to purchase tickets

SEE JANE RUN: AN INDO STORY at The Bridge Initiative documents Dutch-Indonesian experience

 

Immigrant refugee Dr. Jane Vogel Mantiri is from the final generation of Indos (Dutch-Indonesians) born in a country that no longer exists. She is the subject of upcoming documentary feature film See Jane Run: An Indo Story by local filmmakers Brenda Foley and Bruce Nelson, and the live stage play comes to Scottsdale October 18, co-presented by The Bridge Initiative and ASU Kerr. The Indo race was the product of 400 years of Dutch colonization in the East Indies, now Indonesia. As Mantiri says, “I am a critic of colonization. I am also the product of colonization. So I grew up with a lot of shame.” The single performance will be offered Sunday, October 18th, at 2:00pm at ASU Kerr in Scottsdale, to be followed by a talkback, and is also being filmed for use in the documentary.

From her humble beginnings as a child refugee from Indonesia, Mantiri's journey is a testament to strength and resilience. See Jane Run: An Indo Story is a one-woman play written, performed, and co-directed by Mantiri, with co-director Andrés Alcalá also contributing projection design. The Scottsdale production is part of a two-year national and international tour that included the Netherlands this summer. After more than 30 years as a child trauma psychologist, Mantiri pivoted to her lifelong love of acting and her professional credits include not only See Jane Run but also The Children’s Hour, Steel Magnolias, Speech and Debate, and a recurring role as Fred’s Mom on TV’s Portlandia. Alcalá returns to the Valley where his credits include Childsplay, Arizona Theatre Company, and The Phoenix Theatre Company.

During the Indonesian Revolution following World War II, people “had to pick a side,” says Indonesian historian Ady Setyawan, and anyone with European heritage was categorized as Dutch. Indos fled and suppressed their identity because it was a source of danger and shame. For Mantiri, this play is an exhale after decades of silence. She shares,“My parents wanted me to become an American. It is what immigrants did to protect their children. I became an American, erasing my past and denying myself and my loved ones the truth about my life and my culture.” There is great urgency to document this history while Jane’s generation is still with us.

Foley, who is also Producing Executive Director of The Bridge Initiative, met Mantiri at Statera Arts women’s theatre conference in 2016 where they were both on a panel discussing innovative approaches to the industry. As their professional relationship and friendship developed, Foley learned Mantiri’s personal story and recognized its power and uniqueness. While Asian American stories generally are rare onscreen and onstage in the U.S., specifically Indonesian content is all but nonexistent. Foley enlisted award-winning local documentarian Bruce Nelson of NEB Productions to help bring Mantiri’s story to the screen, and they have been filming in locations from Oregon to Indonesia since 2023. The film is in post-production and actively fundraising for completion and distribution.

Content transparency: There is reference to violence, abuse, and loss in the play. Audiences are encouraged to prioritize their wellbeing when choosing to attend. See Jane Run: An Indo Story will be presented Sunday, October 18, 2:00pm at ASU Kerr, 6110 N. Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85253. $30-41 general admission tickets available online at https://asukerr.com/; $5 off for students/seniors/educator/veteran only available in person or by calling the box office (480-596-2660).  

 

BEYOND TYPE: A CABARET - The Bridge Initiative - October 5, 2026

 

Beyond Type: A Cabaret

Monday, October 5 @ 7pm (preshow song share 6:30pm)  

Co-presented by The Bridge Initiative and ASU Kerr

Run time: 75-90 mins

What happens when we invite performers to think beyond "type" and cast themselves in unexpected ways? In this “miscast cabaret,” some of the Valley's favorite singers and actors will dive into material they wouldn’t traditionally perform, giving you the chance to see cherished pieces and artists through a new lens. 

AND...

you get a chance to play too!

Starting at 6:30pm, Lincoln Wright will support your turn at the mic. Bring sheet music (please keep your selection to 2-3 minutes). 

DIRECTOR: Brenda Foley

COLLABORATIVE PIANIST: Lincoln Wright

PERFORMERS: Matravius Avent, Phillip Beaupre, Shana Bousard, Elizabeth Brownlee, Jane Bunting, Johanna Carlisle-Zepeda, Rusty Ferracane, Brenda Foley, Tony Hodges, Mike Lawler, Ksjusha Povod, Brian Runbeck, with Elaine "E.E." Moe

Table seating $41 / General admission $30**

Ticket link & info: Beyond Type: A Cabaret – The Bridge Initiative

**NOTE: fees lower if purchased through box office; $5 off for Seniors/Students/Educators/Veterans only if purchased through box office in person or by calling 480-596-2660**

The Bridge Initiative Announces Joyful 2026-27 Season

 

The Bridge Initiative Announces Joyful 2026-27 Season

Plays, Musical and Cabarets to Play Scottsdale and Tempe

The Bridge Initiative’s new season brings plays, concerts, and more to ASU Kerr, 6110 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale and Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W Rio Salado Pkwy, Tempe. Artistic Director Amie Bjorklund says, “We are excited to announce our 11th season of high-quality, female-forward stories intended to make you smile, and also think and feel.”

                                                                                         

The Bridge Cabaret PLUS series co-presented with ASU Kerr enters its third year at the historic Scottsdale venue. The partnership this season launches Monday, October 5th at 7pm with a “miscast” cabaret of music and scenes titled Beyond Type, featuring thirteen Valley favorites including Matravius Avent, Shana Bousard, Johanna Carlisle-Zepeda, and Rusty Ferracane. For 30 minutes before the show, the public is invited to the season’s first open mic “song share” where anyone can bring sheet music to perform with live accompaniment by the evening’s Collaborative Pianist Lincoln Wright. On Sunday, October 18th at 2pm, See Jane Run: An Indo Story features guest artist Jane Vogel Mantiri in her autobiographical one-woman play and community conversation to uplift her vanishing Dutch-Indonesian heritage and history. The holiday season kicks off Sunday, November 29th at 2pm and Monday, November 30th at 7pm with Oy to the World: A Hanukkah Cabaret RETURNS, a reprise and revision of last year’s inaugural funny and heart-warming musical celebration of the Jewish holiday by Rebecca and Josh Weinstein, featuring three singers and a full band.

As the series continues in 2027, a yet-to-be-named Broadway musical will be staged concert-style Sunday, February 7th at 2pm and Monday, February 8th at 7pm. Local vocal/band concert group Beyond Broadway founded by James Melberg and Zach Wetzel brings their signature musical finesse to a one-night-only show focused on women on Monday, March 22nd, at 7pm, with another pre-show community song share at 6:30pm. The Bridge Cabaret PLUS season concludes with a 90-minute full evening song share and musical singalong, in partnership with Musical Theatre Alliance of Arizona. 

The Bridge Initiative is thrilled to also be returning to its long-standing home at Temps Center for the Arts from April 10th-18th with Sarah Ruhl’s Pulitzer Finalist In the Next Room, or the Vibrator Play. This comedy set in the 1880s features a proper gentleman scientist who has innocently invented an extraordinary new device for treating “hysteria” in women (and sometimes men) that inspires his wife to examine the nature of their marriage and the meaning of true love.

Season details, ticket links, and audition information will be available at bridgeinit.org.