Happily Eva After
New York audiences can finally live happily ever after… “Happily Eva After,” that is! And they can really live the experience, and not just watch it on DVD! Regal Productions, the outstanding “Broadway-style” musical shows that have wowed Israeli women for the past seven years, will make their debut on the New York stage on February 20th and 21st. at the Millenium Theater in Brooklyn to benefit Rachel’s Place and Zir Chemed. English speaking theater-goers have anxiously awaited the season’s premier, and flocked to the Yerushalayim performances in droves. Their enthusiasm was contagious. We spoke to some of the women who were in the audience: “I was enchanted!” “The singing, the tap dancing, the set… the whole thing was unreal!” “I haven’t laughed so hard in months!” And the term most often repeated: “They’ve done it again!”
Perhaps the key to the meteoric success of Happily Eva After and its forerunners, “The Gift of Music,” “Oliver with a Twist” “Miri Pops In” ”The Wizdom of Oz” “We Got Annie” and “Once Upon a Princess” is not simply the marvelous voices; the upbeat, exhilarating musical numbers; the elaborate set – or even the magic of all of these combined. In essence, what pulls thousands of women to see each year’s show is the opportunity to sit back and laugh. Really laugh. Humor is integral to a Regal production. And while the tone of much of the entertainment offered in the Frum arena tends to lean towards melodrama, these plays offer you the magical, marvelous chance to walk out with a smile on your face. “Happily Eva After” is unapologetically, first and foremost a splendid, hugely-entertaining musical comedy featuring some of your favorite performers (all American or English born women who have made Aliyah to Eretz Yisroel) at their finest.
“Happily Eva After” is a sequel to last year’s play “Once Upon a Princess.” Now that the evil Miss Minchin has been dismissed from her role as Headmistress of the Select Seminary for Girls, her sister, the lovable and laughable Miss Amelia (Kerry Bar-Cohn) has taken the reins. Having to deal with a lively brood of (super talented!) girls and the slightly strange new teacher Madam Marshall (Tamar Rudy), Miss Amelia is thrust into a perplexing plot when an anonymous letter arrives hinting to a heretofore hidden diary and a sinister plot to restore Miss Minchin to her former position. While Eva (Abby Yudin), an introspective, lovely new student ( with a breathtaking voice) struggles to fit in, and the kooky Cook (Avigayil Hool) undergoes an identity crisis, everyone is suspecting everyone else of penning the mysterious missive and unearthing the enigmatic journal. At every turn the stage erupts in song and dance, and the play reaches its climax all too soon, amidst the audience’s cheers. Comedic brilliance is unsurpassed as Kerry Bar Cohn – known for her memorable portrayal of Miss Hannigan in “We Got Annie” and the Scarecrow in “The Wizdom of Oz,” puts on another show-stopping performance in her repeat rendition of Miss Amelia. Choreographer for this and past Regal productions, Kerry is a tap dancing instructor par excellence. Avigayil Hool can’t seem to get out of the kitchen… She delights us with her multiple gifts (and her English accent!) in her role as Cook both this year and last, and as the Maid in “Miri Pops In.” Tamra Rudy starred as Aviva in “The Gift of Music” and as the Princess Sarita in “Once Upon a Princess,” and as Madam Marshall is again demonstrating her versatility on stage. The entire cast, with the inimitable Chayelle Regal and Rikki Reichman at the helm, operate with total and recognizable professionalism throughout. It is no wonder that they have garnered themselves a loyal following and, for many of the principal players, actual fan clubs!
It is with great excitement that Rachel’s Place brings “Happily Eva After” to the New York stage. A home for young women who have no home, Rachel’s Place has boldly and masterfully filled an unfortunate – but very real- need in our community. Rachel’s Place provides a safe haven for girls ages 16-21 who, because of abuse, neglect, emotional or other compelling reasons, have been forced to leave their homes and – literally – have nowhere else to go. Rachel’s Place provides these girls, with a warm, nurturing home environment, in a kosher, Shabbos-observant setting. They also provide mentors, therapy, school and job placements, with the goal of helping the young women gain the skills and self-confidence to grow into independently functioning adults. Until Rachel’s Place came onto the scene, the only option for these girls was a city shelter…or a park bench. Now they have a place to call “home.” Helping these girls to cope with life, and find the courage to overcome their situations, grow together, and move on.. is what Rachel’s Place is all about. The first and only residential program of its kind, Rachel’s Place is N.Y. State certified, and is pointed to as the model for overall excellence. The private school tuitions and the varied therapies required, are tremendously costly. The N’shei Chayil who founded and have made Rachel’s Place their mission in life, have undertaken the enormous task of raising funds for this life-saving refuge. Transporting “Happily Eva After” to America is the realization of months of effort on their part, in the hopes that the revenue gained will enable Rachel’s Place to carry on its critical work. Zir Chemed is world-renowned for its efforts in helping hundreds of couples each year experience the gift of life.
Be part of this much-anticipated event! Treat yourself to tickets for the upcoming showing of “Happily Eva After” – while they last! You will enjoy a memorable, delightful evening of inspiring, top-rate entertainment and be supporting two vital Tzedaka causes.