Award-winning actor comes to Portland to highlight Jewish diversity

Ari El Stachel Brings a One‑Man Show and a Dialogue on Jewish Identity to Portland

PORTLAND – On Tuesday and Wednesday of next week the Maine Jewish Museum will host the award‑winning actor and writer Ari El Stachel, who will perform his autobiographical one‑man show “Other,” lead a Shabbat dinner, and speak with students about the diversity of Jewish culture. Stachel’s appearance comes at a time when the Jewish community is confronting rising anti‑Semitism, and he says his work is a “tool” for challenging the stereotypes that allow such prejudice to take root.

Stachel, a 2018 Tony Award winner for Featured Actor in a Musical (for “The Band’s Visit”) and a Grammy winner the same year for Best Musical Theater Album, was born to a Yemenite‑Israeli father and an Ashkenazi‑American mother. His mixed heritage has shaped his career and his message. “I’ve always lived in that grey area that a lot of people think is impossible,” he told the museum’s executive director. “I’m trying to preach for peace, co‑existence, and unity, so I always like to be a voice that is both the proud son of a Yemenite Israeli and someone who is tolerant and not hateful.”

Stachel’s skin, which is darker than that of many American Jews, has often made him feel caught between the expectation that Jews are white and European and the reality that he also carries Middle‑Eastern ancestry. He added that the anti‑Arab sentiment that grew in the wake of the September 11 attacks compounded the tension, forcing him for years to hide aspects of his identity. The stage, he says, was where he finally found belonging and meaning.

“Right now, the Jewish community is facing spiraling anti‑Semitism with roots in the toxic binaries that are polarizing our society,” Dawn LaRochelle, executive director of the museum, explained. “Ari El’s work is urgent because he uses theater to challenge the assumptions that allow anti‑Semitism to root.” She hopes Stachel’s visit will appeal to non‑Jewish Mainers as well: “This is compelling theater, not just a homework assignment. Anyone, regardless of their background, who has been misjudged, told they don’t belong, or felt pressure to conceal part of their identity, will recognize something in his story that resonates with them.”

The museum’s three‑part program will take place on October 16 and 17 at 267 Congress Street. On Tuesday evening, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., attendees will join Stachel for a “Yemenite‑inspired pescatarian Shabbat dinner.” The meal, prepared by LaRochelle herself, will be followed by a conversation in which the actor will share his experiences and discuss the meaning of Shabbat for people of diverse backgrounds.

On Wednesday, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Stachel will perform “Other.” The show—an autobiographical retelling of pivotal moments in his life—explores his struggles with anxiety and his journey toward embracing his identity. Stachel told the museum, “I don’t do this to just wave a political wand; I do it to connect with people on a very deep level. The goal of this art form is for people to enjoy a story and, afterward, reflect on their own lives and feel a little moved and refreshed.”

In addition to the main events, Stachel will participate in the museum’s Delet Program, a K‑12 initiative that teaches students about Jewish culture to challenge stereotypes. During the program, he will have a conversation with Maine public school students, offering them a firsthand look at Jewish life and identity.

Stachel is also working on “Shalom Habibis,” a project that brings people who are often seen as at odds—Jews, Arabs, and Muslims—into shared conversations and Shabbat dinners. “It is all about seeing people beyond the boxes, beyond the labels that we often put on them,” he said. “Shalom Habibis will showcase our shared humanity.”

Tickets for the Shabbat dinner and the performance are available through Eventbrite. The dinner costs $75, while the show is $54. The museum encourages residents and visitors alike to take advantage of the opportunity to learn about the complex fabric of Jewish life in Maine and beyond.

Stachel’s visit is a reminder that art can be a powerful vehicle for social reflection and that the stories we tell are often more universal than the labels we carry. Whether in a theater, at a table, or in a classroom, his work invites Mainers—and all who attend—to look past binaries and embrace the multiplicity of identity that defines the human experience.