Alan Smason

1 week ago | berkshirefinearts.com | Alan Smason |Charles Giuliano

Edward Rubin, an iconoclastic theatre critic, arts critic and curator, who wrote for decades about theatre and the visual arts, died after a protracted battle with bladder cancer at Calvary Hospital on June 15, 2025. He was 84. Rubin, who went by the nickname “Fast Eddy” was a long-standing member of the New York Drama Desk, the Outer Critics Circle and a longtime member of the American Theatre Critics/Journalists Association (ATCA).

Mar 28, 2025 | crescentcityjewishnews.com | Alan Smason |Ben Sales

Kullman, who has a master’s degree in social work from Tulane University, has demonstrated her commitment to the New Orleans Jewish community through her counseling work at Jewish Family Services and as a part of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans. She is a tireless advocate for healthcare with a special emphasis on improving mental health support, especially for children.

Mar 24, 2025 | crescentcityjewishnews.com | Alan Smason

By ALAN SMASON, WYES-TV Theatre Critic (“Steppin’ Out“)The Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale “The Princess and the Pea” is the basis for Once Upon a Mattress, the 1959 musical written by Mary Rodgers, the daughter of Richard Rodgers that launched the Broadway career of Carol Burnett as Princess Winifred – “Fred” for short – the Wobegone. A 1996 production starring Jewish actress Sarah Jessica Parker established her as a bankable star prior to her being cast in HBO’s “Sex and the City” series.

Mar 21, 2025 | crescentcityjewishnews.com | Alan Smason |Philissa Cramer

By ALAN SMASON, Exclusive to the CCJNStanley and Ellen Kessler, longtime leaders of local philanthropy and promoters for the State of Israel within and without the Jewish community of New Orleans, were given the highest honor that can be bestowed upon them by Jewish Family Service (JFS) on Thursday, March 20 at their annual gala. “Take flight with JFS” was the aviation theme for the gala, referencing the venue where the event was held, the New Orleans Lakefront Airport.

Mar 16, 2025 | crescentcityjewishnews.com | Alan Smason

By ALAN SMASONThe first national tour of “Funny Girl” rolled into New Orleans last Tuesday with key players in major roles being occupied by Jewish performers. Yes, the story of Fanny Brice, an unknown Jewish girl from the Lower East Side of New York who became a major Zigfeld headliner, Broadway leading lady and radio star was already pretty Jewish.