Review: Political Family Rift at the Center of Miami New Drama’s ‘The Zionists’

A prominent Jewish family, fractured by the politics and aftermath of October 7, gathers for a fragile reunion at a luxury Caribbean resort in S. Asher Gelman’s new play, “The Zionists,” having its world premiere at Miami New Drama through May 10. (Photo by Morgan Sophia Photography)

An intense tropical storm in the Caribbean puts a damper on a Jewish family’s vacation, but also forces them to confront their differing political opinions in “The Zionists: A Family Storm” by S. Asher Gelman, now making its world premiere at Miami New Drama in Miami Beach.

It’s November 2024 and the Rosenberg gathering in the Turks and Caicos is a reunion of sorts, with matriarch Ruth determined to bring the family together for Thanksgiving. Her husband, Mitchell, is a happy-go-lucky man who frequently references showtunes and breaks into song. The family is wealthy and each member shares in the family money. The family estate and holdings are managed by son David, whose wife, Maria, is expecting their first child. Daughter Bex is also there with her wife, Dana. Last to arrive is youngest son, Aaron, and his husband, Zephyr.

Dani Stoller as Bex who was part of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in Miami New Drama’s “The Zionists” by S. Asher Gelman. (Photo by Morgan Sophia Photography)

The action takes places 13 months after the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, in which more than 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, were killed, and more than 250 others were taken hostage, and that tragedy is the inciting point for the relationship rifts in the Rosenberg family.

Each member of the family has a deep Jewish identity – Bex and Dana were part of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and made their home in Israel for many years. Zephyr teaches at a Jewish day school. David is involved in fundraisers for the IDF. Maria, who converted to Judaism, teaches at Columbia University and is knowledgeable about Israeli history and its political situation.

Mitchell and Ruth are respected members of the Jewish community actively working for peace. And although Aaron says he has deep connections to his Jewish roots, he has founded an organization that funds pro-Palestinian causes, and used his share of the family money to do it.

Joanna Glushak as the matriarch, Ruth, of the Rosenberg family Ruth and Avi Hoffman as patriarch Mitchell in Miami New Drama’s “The Zionists.” ({Photo by Morgan Sophia Photography)

As the play unfolds, there are flashbacks to key moments in each couple’s lives – Bex and Dana discussing leaving Israel; David confessing a secret to Maria; Zephyr coming to terms with Aaron’s decision to start the foundation; Mitchell and Ruth planning the trip to bring the family together. As Aaron tries to justify his actions, he is confronted by each family member about how the October 7 attacks and his pro-Palestinian position have forever altered their lives.

“The Zionists: A Family Storm” is an explosive play that explores volatile territory. The Sunday matinee audience was vocal in their pro-Israel support, erupting into applause in reaction to several lines in the show.

Gelman expertly navigates the drama, weaving in history and politics, while keeping the story at a personal level, and avoiding rhetoric for its own sake. He drops in little bits of backstory without drowning the audience in exposition. Setting the story on an island threatened by a storm is also a stroke of genius, as it becomes a metaphor for a family under siege, conjuring unsettling images of the Holocaust.

Every element of Miami New Drama’s production of “The Zionists: A Family Storm” is thrillingly executed. The sleek, modern, island villa set by Adam Koch is jaw-dropping in its detail, design, and scope, and includes ingenious changes to represent each couple’s home.

Adam Koch’s sleek, modern, island villa set for Miami New Drama’s “The Zionist” is jaw-dropping in its detail, design, and scope. (Photo by Morgan Sophia Photography)

Salomon Lerner’s lighting design bathes the villa in warmth, but as the storm builds outside and becomes a metaphor for family conflict, the lighting dims and becomes ominous. Lerner, along with Andy Cohen, designed the sound with such fervor that the storm becomes another character, a representation of the thing in the world that has threatened Jews for centuries. Fight director Lee Soroko stages an action-packed sequence when the Rosenbergs engage in physical altercations.

[RELATED: Feature Story: Inside ‘The Zionists’ ]

Each cast member is excellent and given many moments to shine. Gregg Weiner plays David with the right amount of older brother swagger, protectiveness, and thinly veiled anger. Even when he has no dialogue, William DeMeritt shows the anguish of a man torn between loyalty to his husband and his own convictions. As Mitchell, Avi Hoffman exhibits quiet power as a father heartbroken to see his children at odds. With so much of the drama hinging on whether or not Aaron will set aside his beliefs when confronted by his family’s pain, Coby Getzug plays the black sheep with steadfast stubbornness.

Gregg Weiner as David confesses a secret to Jaime Ann Romero as Maria in “The Zionists” at Miami New Drama through May 10. (Photo by Morgan Sophia Photography)

As Dana, Shira Alon delivers an explosive performance as a woman trying to hold onto her family despite tremendous loss. Jamie Ann Romero portrays Maria as a strong female who seems concerned about the world and family her child will grow up in. Dani Stoller plays Bex with the stance of a woman exhausted and drained by the consequences of Aaron’s actions. As Ruth, Joanna Glushak embodies a mother fiercely trying to keep the peace within her family.

“The Zionists: A Family Storm” is well-written and, at its core, deals with a subject that will always be timely – a family in crisis. It is the rare world premiere that feels complete and fully formed, ready to go forth into the world.

Note: The Colony Theatre has installed a metal detector and extra security, including bag searches, for this show. Allow time to get through the line. Also, as the audience left the theater after Sunday’s matinee, protesters from an organization called Jewish Voice for Peace handed out leaflets disguised as Playbills that contained information sympathetic toward Palestinians, sparking some heated confrontations on Lincoln Road.

WHAT: “The Zionists: A Family Storm”

WHERE: Miami New Drama, The Colony Theatre, 1040 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach

WHEN: 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday. Through May 3.

COST: $40, $70, and $85 Thursday and Friday; $45, $75, and $90 Saturday and Sunday, including fees

INFORMATION: (305) 674-1040 and miaminewdrama.org

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