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Musical comedy Greater Seder celebrates Passover in Tampa

 
Published April 2, 2015

In celebration of Passover, Tampa Jewish Family Services will present the 10th annual Greater Seder, a musical comedy alternative to traditional holiday observances, Saturday in Tampa.

Tampa-based performers the Kosher Hams, who first organized the event a decade ago, will entertain this year's audience with Ed Sulli-vitz, A Really Big Shull!

The original production, open to adults 21 and older, features skits reminiscent of the Ed Sullivan show with a Passover themed-twist.

Instead of Jersey Boys, think Jewsy Boys, says originator, writer and producer Rande Friedman.

"Traditionally, second-night Seder festivities include a telling of the Exodus story," Friedman said. "There are certain prayers read and certain foods. It is a serious drama. We do it as a comedy. We take all the elements and weave them into whatever parody we are doing."

Friedman said he and friends founded the Greater Seder event to give Jewish people unaffiliated with a particular synagogue something special to do at Passover.

"Only 20 percent of the Tampa Jewish community belongs to a synagogue or federation," he said. "We wanted everyone else to have a place to go."

Men, women, attorneys, teachers and business people make up the 15-member Kosher Hams Comedy Troupe. The group spends about four months a year writing and developing its Greater Seder production. Past themes include Seder Day Night Live, Star Drek and the Wizard of Schnoz.

In 2014, 280 people attended the second-night Seder. Organizers expect an even larger crowd this year. Proceeds benefit Tampa Jewish Family Services.

The fun begins at 6:30 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel, 4500 W Cypress St., Tampa. Tickets are $50 and sell fast. For more information, visit greaterseder.com. For ticket options, contact Rande Friedman at (813) 943-2677.

Contact Sarah Whitman at sarahrothwhitman@gmail.com.