Description

“Rite of Passage” a new semi-autobiographical play by 25-year-old playwright Izzy Salant debuts as a fully- staged professional production at The Windhover Center for the Performing Arts, from July 13 through 30. Salant, a graduate of UMass, Amherst and the Kennedy Center Playwriting
Intensive, brings his family’s story to life with an amazing sensitivity grounded in love and faith.

“In this true story, a tragic secret haunts Harold while he is preparing for his Bar Mitzvah,” explains Myriam Cyr, Punctuate4’s Artistic Director. “He wants to know why his mother suddenly died and what are others not telling him. Written with a mixture of love, faith, and humor, ‘Rite of Passage’ is a touching story of a young man and his father coping with loss as they rebuild their family and hope for the future.”

The talented cast features Peter Berkrot, a veteran of stage and screen, whose career spans four decades. Highlights include feature roles in “Caddyshack”, Show-time’s “Brotherhood”, and appearances on “America’s Most W anted” and “Unsolved Mysteries”. His remarkable voice can be heard on television, radio, video games, and documentaries.

Rounding out the experienced cast are Noah Greenstein, Jocelyn Duford, Pamela Sacks, Steve Sacks, and Karen Lundh.

“As this story is an authentic voice on autism, our entire creative team has worked hard to make this a sensory-friendly and welcoming production for all,” said Cyr.

“There are so many events, stories, presentations, aimed to advocate people with disabilities, and yet most of them aren’t accessible to the very people they are advocating for,” added Playwright Salant. “A play highlighting autism should allow those in the community to view it without being overloaded.”