West Philadelphia’s Curio Theatre Company invites everyone to the Philadelphia premiere of Old Stock: A Refugee Love Story, a unique theater/music hybrid inspired by the true tale of two Jewish Romanian refugees finding love after arriving on the shores of Canada in 1908. This hilarious and edgy story is interwoven with a high-energy Klezmer concert.

The play is written by Canadian playwright Hannah Moscovitch and features songs by Ben Caplan and Christian Barry. At Curio, Old Stock will be directed by Rachel Gluck with sound and music direction by Damien Figueras. Artistic Director Paul Kuhn will bring his set design talents to the stage, using his well-known ability to create detailed worlds using repurposed materials (read more about Curio’s recycling efforts here). In addition to Gluck, Kuhn, and Figueras, Aetna Gallagher joins the crew as Costume and Prop Designer.

The show features themes of hope and of learning to love after being broken by the horrors of war.

“As a Jewish woman, I feel as though Old Stock could be about my ancestors who came to the New World looking for refuge from anti-Semitism at the beginning of the 20th century,” says Gluck. “Old Stock is a raucous, deeply moving punk-Klezmer musical that challenges us all to see ourselves as a part of a larger narrative that continues to this day. It’s the story of refugees banging on the door, begging to be let into a place where they hope that they might finally be safe.”

“Though the show is about Jewish immigrants at the turn of the century, it is about all immigrants,” says Gay Carducci, Curio Theatre Company Managing Director, adding that after the show, on May 1 and May 10, Curio will offer some help from immigration lawyers and a psychologist who will talk about the trauma immigrants bring with them and the trauma they face upon arrival. Both sessions will be free and all are welcome. See more details below.

Old Stock features three Curio debut actors: Alana Kopelove (Chaya), Jack Taylor (Chaim), and Paul Harrold (The Wanderer). Kopelove and Taylor recently served as understudies in The BFG at the Arden and both are graduates of the theatre program at Arcadia University. Harrold has appeared in many local productions, such as Plum Bun at EgoPo and Head Over Heels at Theatre Horizon.

Previews of Old Stock run from April 24th – 27th, with ticket prices starting at $20. From opening night on Saturday, April 27 through May 11, prices run from $25 – $30, with discounts for students and seniors available. Show times are 8 p.m. for evening shows and 2 p.m. for matinees.

Curio Theatre Company is located inside the Calvary Center for Culture and Community at 4740 Baltimore Avenue. Find tickets and more information at www.curiotheatre.org.

Presentations on Immigration (following the show on May 1 and and May 10):

May 1 – A talk by María José Sotomayor-Giacomucci, a social worker and trauma therapist 

María José Sotomayor-Giacomucci, MSS, LSW, is a social worker and trauma therapist at the Phoenix Center for Experiential Trauma Therapy in Media, PA. She draws upon her extensive experience working with immigrant and refugee communities to shed light on the profound impact of migration and the challenges of adapting to a new country, language, culture, and customs. Specializing in issues of trauma, grief, loss, depression, anxiety, relationships, and life transitions, Maria Jose is uniquely positioned to provide valuable insights into the complexities faced by migrants and refugees. In her upcoming talk, she will explore not only the struggles these communities encounter but also the remarkable strengths and resilience they contribute to their neighborhoods. Through her expertise and understanding, Maria Jose aims to foster greater empathy and awareness among her audience regarding the experiences of migrants and refugees.

May 10 – The Economics of Immigration: How current law does not meet the reality of business and life in the U.S., a presentation by Jonathan Grode, the U.S. Practice Director and Managing Partner for Green and Spiegel in Philadelphia

Jonathan Grode has been a panelist and moderator on immigration law topics for numerous organizations, including the American Bar Association, Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, French Chamber for Commerce and Industry (Paris, France), and the American Immigration Lawyers Association. He also writes regularly for industry publications and academic journals. In addition, Jonathan is an Adjunct Faculty at Temple University’s Beasley School of Law where he teaches Business Immigration Law, Advising Global Corporations, and Law Practice Management. In 2020, Jonathan Grode was named Adjunct Faculty of the Year by Temple University.

By removing politics from the equation, this presentation examines the cause of our current immigration dilemma rather than focusing on its effect. Only through a reframing of the immigration debate will progress be forged. For a free consultation please email: info@gands-us.com