Ben Cohen produces the 7 PM reading, directed by Jen Bender, at the Rattlestick Theatre. The reading cast includes Barrett Foa (Avenue Q) and Joshua Park (The Adventures of Tom Sawyer), Judy Blazer (Titanic), Wally Dunn (Gypsy) and Leslie Kritzer (Hairspray, Paper Mill's Funny Girl).

According to the producer, "A Merry Jewish Christmas tells the story of the Bernstein family, a typical Jewish family living in a Chicago suburb who have made it a tradition to come together and celebrate Chanukah with egg rolls and General's Chicken. This year will be different since David, the son, has decided to invite his family over to meet his gentile boyfriend, Olsen. However, things become complicated since Olsen isn’t aware that the family is in the dark about their relationship. David tries to hold the evening together as his sister Shayna fends off numerous cell phone calls, his father Gene times the Chinese food delivery boy, and his mother Judy plays 20 Questions. Olsen attempts to play along, while David juggles hidden manger scenes, menorahs, dreidels, Christmas trees, a harness, and most importantly, his secret."

A Merry Jewish Christmas recently concluded another successful run at Bailiwick Repertory in Chicago, where it was named No. 1 Alternative Holiday Entertainment in the December issue of Chicago Magazine.

Playwright Josh Levine's play Starry Night was included in the 7th Annual Blank Theatre Company's Young Playwrights Festival, where he was paired with mentor Terrence McNally. Levine also served as McNally's assistant on the Kander & Ebb-McNally musical, The Visit at the Goodman Theatre. Levine is a 2002 BFA playwriting graduate from The Theatre School, DePaul University, and he currently serves as marketing assistant at The Actors' Fund of America in New York. He is a member of the Dramatists Guild, and he is represented by The Barbara Hogenson Agency.

For more information, contact producer Ben Cohen at (917) 716-7676.