RACHEL MCKAY STEELE'S SOLO SHOW 'SHIVA FOR ANNE FRANK'
NOW PLAYING AT THE HOLLYWOOD FRINGE FESTIVAL - JUNE 22nd AND 30th, 2019
"In two hours, Steele dismantled the censored, saintly version of Anne, and replaced it with one that paints her the way she should be remembered: an intelligent, hilarious, blunt, queer, budding woman who hated her mom and loved dirty jokes. So, yeah, Anne Frank was not a saint. But she’s still my icon."
"Comedian Rachel McKay Steele delivers a moving and emotional tribute to the legacy of Anne Frank, and teaches us Goys a thing or two about the Jewish faith." -Indie Voice
WHO AND WHAT: Rachel McKay Steele's solo show Shiva for Anne Frank celebrates Jewish identity, girlhood, community mourning, life, and begs the question of whether or not one Jewish comedian can and should relate herself to Anne Frank. Although Anne Frank is one of the most famous and recognizable young women in the world, her legacy is often infantilized or simplified so she can remain a saintly beacon from one of humanity’s darkest chapters. In June, when Anne Frank would have turned 90, Rachel invites you to laugh, cry, celebrate and mourn as filtered through her own hilarious experiences of getting a nose job, rehashing her Bat Mitzvah, and sharing her favorite story of a one night stand (with a German). Audience members are invited to wear and take home custom-made yarmulkes, as well as arrive early to nosh on bagels and babka. $1 from each ticket sold will be donated to The International Rescue Committee. Read some of the show's rave audience reviews here: "More of a shared experience than your traditional one-woman show, Shiva for Anne Frank will entertain you, move you, enrage you, and leave you wanting to know more about both Anne and Rachel."
WHEN: Saturday, June 22nd at 10:30pm
Sunday, June 30th at 4:00pm
WHERE: The Complex Hollywood - Flight Theatre - 6476 Santa Monica Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90038
HOW: $10 with code "babka" - ticket link
On Saturday, June 22nd at 10:30pm and Sunday, June 30th at 4:00pm at the Hollywood Fringe Festival, Rachel McKay Steele's solo show Shiva for Anne Frank celebrates Jewish identity, girlhood, community mourning, life, and begs the question of whether or not one Jewish comedian can and should relate herself to Anne Frank. Although Anne Frank is one of the most famous and recognizable young women in the world, her legacy is often infantilized or simplified so she can remain a saintly beacon from one of humanity’s darkest chapters. In June, when Anne Frank would have turned 90, Rachel invites you to laugh, cry, celebrate and mourn as filtered through her own hilarious experiences of getting a nose job, rehashing her Bat Mitzvah, and sharing her favorite story of a one night stand (with a German). Audience members are invited to wear and take home custom-made yarmulkes, as well as arrive early to nosh on bagels and babka. $1 from each ticket sold will be donated to The International Rescue Committee. Read some of the show's rave audience reviews here: "More of a shared experience than your traditional one-woman show, Shiva for Anne Frank will entertain you, move you, enrage you, and leave you wanting to know more about both Anne and Rachel." Shiva for Anne Frank is playing at The Complex Hollywood and tickets are $10 with the code "babka", available here: https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/5696?tab=tickets
About Rachel McKay Steele
Rachel McKay Steele is a writer and comedian from Charleston, SC, who recently left the borough of Brooklyn for sunny Los Angeles. She has studied comedy and performed at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, in improv festivals around the country, and hosted a monthly stand-up show, Pay Attention to Me, in Brooklyn. Rachel has worked on numerous award-winning independent films, from festival favorite “Gayby” to the creative development for the Oscar- nominated “What Happened Miss Simone?” She also writes commercials for TV and digital channels as a Senior Copywriter. Her solo show, “Shiva for Anne Frank,” held sold out workshop performances at The Pit Loft in New York City on November 29th and 30th, 2018 and is world-premiering at The Hollywood Fringe Festival. Rachel lives in Echo Park with her cat, Roxy. Rachel is allergic to cats, but they make it work.