Jewish Family Theatre at the Weinstein JCC completed a fabulous run of the delightful musical, Anything Goes fifty years after the show was performed on the very same stage as part of the Vicky Shapiro Drama Workshop.
Members of the 1971 cast, many of whom traveled from miles away, reunited with local cast members including Barbara Lustig (aka Reno), Steve Biegler (aka Moon Face) and Jerry Williams (Director) to reminisce about the show, the memories, and the friendships. Following a lovely reception catered by Kenny Bendheim (Anything Goes Catering) and sponsored by Claudia and Steve Biegler and Rhona and Irving Blank, the group made their way into the theatre to enjoy the 2022 production of Anything Goes, also directed by Jerry Williams.
During the reception, Rhona Blank shared a few words about her dear friend, Vicky Shapiro, who, in December of 1961, at just 16 years old, passed away in a tragic car accident. She was a shining star who loved to perform. Her family worked with the Weinstein JCC to create the performing arts program, Vicky Shapiro Drama Workshop, for teens who wanted to be involved in the theater.
Anything Goes was one of the musical productions performed as part of the Workshop, over 50 years ago. Eventually, the Vicky Shapiro Drama Workshop transitioned to Jewish Family Theater (JFT).
In honor of Vicky Shapiro’s love of the theater, the Weinstein JCC is pleased to announce it has established the Vicky Shapiro Youth Drama Scholarship Fund that provides financial assistance to youth, ages 18 and under, to participate in Jewish Family Theatre’s tuition-based youth theater programs.
The fund will give shining stars, like Vicky, the opportunity to follow their theatrical dreams.
For more information and to donate to the Vicky Shapiro Youth Drama Scholarship Fund, visit vickisfund.givesmart.com.
