The 25th Chutzpah! Festival returns November 12-23 bringing together another stellar lineup of performances and performers. The Festival brings a mix of fan favourites and newly found gems showcasing music, theatre, comedy, dance, and storytelling from local, national and international artists through a multicultural Jewish lens.
Since the turn of the millennium, the Chutzpah! Festival has been a highlight of Greater Vancouver’s arts season, and this year is no different as audiences will see more of the same innovative and entertaining works they’ve come to know and love on the stages of the festival hub, the Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre at the JCC. Other Vancouver venues showcased will be The Post at 750, The Beaumont Studios, and the Vogue Theatre.
The 25th Annual Chutzpah! Festival will include comedy that will have you in hysterics, theatre and dance pieces that explore belonging and togetherness, community-engaged storytelling, and a variety of musical offerings. As always, there will be workshops, stimulating conversations, and opportunities to interact with creative artists. With an emphasis on Canadian artists, the Festival will also present artists from Australia, Switzerland, Germany, Latvia, Israel, and the United States.
“This Chutzpah! Festival is one of collaboration and celebration, combining past Artistic Managing Director Jessica Gutteridge’s vision and my own,” says the new Artistic Managing Director, Shayna Goldberg. “Chutzpah!’s legacy over the last 25 years has been to share the diverse work from a multitude of Jewish perspectives, and the offerings this year are just as thrilling and exciting as any other. For ten days this November, come and experience the best of what Canadian and international artists have to offer.”
Highlights of the Chutzpah! Festival lineup includes:
COMEDY
Modi – Pause for Laughter Tour (USA)
November 12 at 8pm
Vogue Theatre
Modi is one of the most sought-after performers on the comedy circuit today. Chutzpah! is the Community Partner for Modi Rosenfeld’s Pause for Laughter Tour – an evening where the comedian will use his sharp wit, impeccable timing, and gift for engaging audiences to keep us all laughing.
Presented in Partnership with MRG Live.
Comedy for Peace (USA/Israel)
November 22 at 7:30pm
Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre
Erik Angel brings his project Comedy for Peace to Chutzpah! Aimed at uniting communities through humour and mutual understanding, Comedy for Peace brings together some of the best stand-up comedians – Jewish, Christian, Muslim – for a show of “no politics. just laughs.” This show proves that people of different religions can work and laugh together, and create connections along the way. Joining Erik will be Ashley Austin Morris , Natan Badalov , and Zara Khan .
MUSIC
8 Gays of Channukah – The Musical (Canada)
November 13 at 7:30pm
Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre
Chutzpah is excited to present the West Coast debut of 8 Gays of Channukah – The Musical as the opening performance at the Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre. This glittering extravaganza blends Broadway-style musical numbers with hilarious comedy, drag artistry, and plenty of Jewish joy.
The show will also feature an opening act by local theatre artist, Joylyn Secunda with an excerpt from their show The Routine.
PLUS! Check out the Channukah Shuk. Featuring the work of local artisans, it’s the perfect place to pick up some gifts for the holidays.
Shtetl Cabaret (Switzerland/USA/Canada)
November 19 at 7:30pm
The Beaumont Studios – 19+ Venue
Lea Kalisch’s Shtetl Cabaret is a night of exciting collaborations. Featuring Tobias Moss and local Vancouver artists including Mike Braverman and Jason Overy, this show presents a firework of Jewish music. Rebbetzin Lea will make you laugh with one eye and cry with the other.
Yiddish Songs of Social Change (USA/Germany/Latvia)
The Golden Thread Ensemble
November 23 at 7:30pm
Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre
Yiddish Songs of Social Change is a new program exploring Yiddish music as a tool for and reflection of social change, featuring Lorin Sklamberg and Sasha Lurje , with arrangements by Craig Judelman.
PLUS! Join Lorin, Sasha and Craig for a free workshop about Yiddish song and dance. At 2:00pm on November 23, come explore both traditional and contemporary versions of Yiddish music and how you can learn to dance along.
MUSIC/DANCE
Take This Waltz (Canada/Israel)
Ne. Sans Opera & Dance
November 15 & 16 at 7:30pm
Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre
Back by popular demand, Chutzpah! and the Vancouver Opera present Ne. Sans Opera & Dance ‘s Take This Waltz: Celebrating the Music of Leonard Cohen. This operatic and contemporary dance performance inspired by the legendary Canadian singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen was originally presented in 2022 as a Chutzpah! Plus event. Created by Idan Cohen and Daniel Okulitch, the world-renowned Canadian bass-baritone, it features Okulitch alongside dancer/musician Ted Littlemore and a virtuoso live ensemble of strings and accordion.
Presented in Partnership with Vancouver Opera.
DANCE
Common Place (Australia/Israel)
November 20 at 7:30pm
Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre
Chutzpah! presents the North American premiere of Common Place by Australian power-duo dancer/choreographer Omer Backley-Astrachan and multi-award winning dancer Jana Castillo . Common Place is a physical exploration of belonging and togetherness, delving into shared action, collaboration, and transcendent synchronization. This intimate duet will invite audiences into a quiet and potent reflection on connection.
THEATRE/STORYTELLING
The Flame (Canada)
November 17 at 7:30pm
Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre
The incomparable Deb Williams returns to Chutzpah! with The Flame – a hilarious and moving evening of storytelling. The Flame is a fiery, grassroots storytelling series where Real People share their personal, true stories in front of an audience under Deb’s direction.
PLUS! Deb Williams will host an in-depth weekend workshop, at The Post at 750, prior to the event (November 15 & 16) to help storytellers hone their craft.
I’m Not a Comedian…I’m Lenny Bruce (USA)
November 18 at 7:30pm
Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre
Chutzpah! is proud to present I’m Not a Comedian…I’m Lenny Bruce, a one-man show exploring the life and battles of one of the most groundbreaking and impactful comedians of all time, Lenny Bruce.
The 2025 Chutzpah! Festival runs November 12 – 23, 2025 at Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre at the Jewish Community Centre, 950 West 41st, Vancouver. For more information, single tickets and ChutzPacks visit chutzpahfestival.com or by phone at 604.257.5145