World Premiere of The Zionists: A Family Storm
Barrington Stage Company
By: BSC - Jun 10, 2026
Barrington Stage Company (Alan Paul, Artistic Director; Greg Reiner, Executive Director) will present the world premiere of The Zionists: A Family Storm, a gripping new play by acclaimed playwright S. Asher Gelman (Afterglow), directed by Chloe Treat and produced in association with Miami New Drama. Performances run June 16 through July 3 at the Boyd-Quinson Stage, with opening night set for June 20.
When a prominent Jewish family gathers for a long-awaited reunion at a luxury Caribbean resort, they hope to reconnect after months of distance and disagreement. Instead, as a hurricane closes in on their island retreat, old wounds reopen and deeply held convictions collide. Set in the emotional aftermath of October 7, The Zionists: A Family Storm examines the personal cost of political division and asks whether family bonds can endure when fundamental beliefs are challenged.
"The Zionists is a timely and thought-provoking examination of family dynamics in an era of profound political and cultural division," said Artistic Director Alan Paul. "At its core, the play is about people struggling to understand one another while navigating deeply held beliefs and painful realities. We are honored to bring this important new work to life."
Executive Director Greg Reiner added, "Great theatre challenges us to listen, reflect, and engage with perspectives beyond our own. The Zionists: A Family Storm is exactly the kind of courageous new work that sparks meaningful conversation, and we are honored to share its world premiere with our audiences."
The production stars Shira Alon as Dana, William DeMeritt as Zephyr, Coby Getzug as Aaron, Joanna Glushak as Ruth, Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer as Maria, Adam Grupper as Mitchell, Dani Stoller as Bex, and Gregg Weiner as David.
The creative team includes scenic designer Adam Koch, lighting designer Solomon Weisbard, costume designer Anya Klepikov, sound designer and composer Salomon Lerner, and production stage manager Amy Rauchwerger.
Written with compassion, humor, and unflinching honesty, The Zionists: A Family Storm offers a timely exploration of identity, belonging, and the challenges facing families—and communities—across an increasingly polarized world.
Performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., with matinees Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. at the Boyd-Quinson Stage, 30 Union Street, Pittsfield.
Tickets range from $49 to $120. For tickets and information, call 413-236-8888 or visit BarringtonStageCo.org.
- ASHER GELMAN (Playwright) is a director, choreographer, playwright, producer, and Artistic Director of Midnight Theatricals. His first play, Afterglow, premiered Off-Broadway in 2017, ran for 14 months, and continues to see productions around the world. He has directed and choreographed all of Midnight Theatricals’ critically acclaimed productions of the show in New York, Los Angeles, London, and Australia. A 10th anniversary production is planned for 2027 at Midnight Theatricals’ new home in New York City.
Off-Broadway credits include the Lortel-nominated Scarlett Dreams (playwright/director), We Are the Tigers (producer), and safeword (playwright/director). Films include Bookends (producer), documentaries The American Question and Sabbath Queen (executive producer), and dance films The Greatest City in the World and in memoriam (director/choreographer).
Asher’s new play, The Zionists: A Family Storm, had its world premiere at Miami New Drama in April 2026, followed by a run at Barrington Stage in the Berkshires.
Originally from Chevy Chase, Maryland. B.A. in Dance and Theater, Bard College; M.F.A. in Dance, The George Washington University. Cofounder and founding Artistic Director, The Stage in Tel Aviv. Former Advisory Board member, the Fisher Center at Bard. Asher lives in New York City with his partner, Stefano, his husband, Mati, and their two cats, Grogu and Rambi.
Get to know the Playwright:
Why this story, right now?
“We’re living in truly polarizing times. We are being pushed into our separate corners, by our algorithms, by our echo chambers, by our politicians. Now more than ever, we need to find ways back together.” For Gelman, The Zionists isn’t about easy answers, it’s about staying in the discomfort. “This play is about staying in the room. It’s about having difficult conversations… being deeply uncomfortable and still finding a path forward.”
What inspired The Zionists: A Family Storm?
“In the wake of October 7th, I felt really lost. I lost friends, I lost colleagues. I watched complicated, complex stories become simplified and flattened. The truth is, we don’t have the patience for more than short form anymore… and that is not the way we can make sense of this very complicated time. So, I turned to a play, where many things can be true at once.”
At its core, what is the play about?
“At its core, The Zionists is about family. It’s about connection. It’s about communication. It is about preserving the things that pull us together, especially during a time when everything else is pulling us apart.”
What do you hope audiences feel when they leave?
“I hope audiences feel conflicted. I hope they feel compelled to reach out to someone they disagree with. I hope they feel compelled to make an effort and to find connection.”
What topic always sparks debate at your own family table?
“I may have written a play about it.”