Ari Axelrod is an American singer and actor who is known for his one-man musical show “A Place For Us: A Celebration of Jewish Broadway".
Early life and education
Axelrod grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan. His great-grandfather, a cantor, had a brother who was an opera singer before his murder in Kyiv by the Nazis.[1] Axelrod graduated from Webster University’s Conservatory of Theatre Arts.[2]
Career
Axelrod's one-man show "Taking the Wheel" was directed by Faith Prince.[3] He performed off-Broadway in "Milk and Honey" at the York Theatre.[1] Axelrod's one-man show "A Place for Us: A Celebration of Jewish Broadway" debuted at the Birdland Jazz Club in 2019. In the show, Axelrod tells stories about the composers whose music he sings, including Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein.[4][5][6] He explains how some portions of the songs were taken from Hebrew liturgy.[7] For example, he says "God Bless America" was taken from the Amidah.[8]
Axelrod's show "Self Portrait" was directed by Jeff Harnar.[9] After playing five roles in "Fiddler on the Roof" in one year, Axelrod began writing a new show about that experience, tentatively called “My Year in Anatevka.”[4]
Awards
- Bistro Award for Cabaret, Jazz and Comedy Artists, 2019[10]
- Best Male Vocalist nominee, Manhattan Association of Cabarets 2020[11]
Activism
Axelrod was named one of The Jewish Week’s "36 Under 36" in 2021.[12] During pandemic theater shutdowns, he began posting on social media about Holocaust awareness and against antisemitism.[12] He declared his goal of giving "voice to the voiceless",[12] noting that Jews in 20th century American musical theater felt like outsiders despite their major contributions.
After the October 7 Hamas-led attacks on Israel and Broadway's tribute to Israel's hostages,[13] Axelrod incorporated "Bring Him Home" into his show "A Place for Us".[14][15] Some Jews told him his show had "given them more confidence to live Jewishly".[16] Axelrod's approach to his activism includes not only fighting against antisemitism, but "fighting for Jewish vitality".[17]
Personal life
Axelrod had brain surgery during college.[18]
References
- ^ a b Graff, Gary (2025-01-15). "New Album 'A Place For Us' by Ari Axelrod Spotlights Jewish Broadway Icons". thejewishnews.com. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
- ^ Palmer, Jordan; Newmark, Judith (2021-10-05). "Rising cabaret star Ari Axelrod brings 'Jewish Broadway' to NJT". St. Louis Jewish Light. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
- ^ Lavazzi, Chuck (2016-04-03). "Ari Axelrod takes the wheel of an impressive cabaret debut at The Monocle". KDHX. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
- ^ a b Friedman, Gabe (2025-01-16). "In a new album, singer Ari Axelrod celebrates Jews' contributions to Broadway". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
- ^ Greenberg, Bart (2024-05-23). "Ari Axelrod: A Place for Us: A Celebration of Jewish Broadway". Cabaret Scenes - The Cabaret World's Only Magazine. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
- ^ Burdick Schweiger, Alice (2023-01-26). "Cabaret Star Shares His Jewish Pride". The Detroit Jewish News Digital Archives. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
- ^ Simmons, Paulanne (2023-10-31). "Cabaret Review: A PLACE FOR US: A CELEBRATION OF JEWISH BROADWAY (Ari Axelrod)". Stage and Cinema. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
- ^ Ben-Moche, Erin (2020-08-13). "Ari Axelrod on His 'Celebration of Jewish Broadway' Cabaret". Jewish Journal. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
- ^ Poretz, Andrew (2024-02-06). "A Stunning, Emotional Win for This Cabaret Star". Theater Pizzazz. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
- ^ Windeler, Robert (2019-12-21). "Ari Axelrod – Bistro Awards". Bistro Awards – Celebrating Cabaret, Jazz and Comedy Artists. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
- ^ "2020 MAC Award Nominees" (PDF). Retrieved 2025-02-25.
- ^ a b c Silow-Carroll, Andrew (2021-07-12). "Ari Axelrod, 27, Artist Turned Jewish Activist". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
- ^ "WATCH: Broadway stars sing 'Bring Him Home' in tribute to Gaza hostages". The Jerusalem Post. 2023-11-08. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
- ^ Friedwald, Will (2025-01-21). "Baritone Ari Axelrod's Performances Gain Added Poignance With Israel-Hamas Cease-Fire". The New York Sun. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
- ^ Parker, Jacqueline (2025-01-27). "Ari Axelrod: A Place for Us: A Celebration of Jewish Broadway". Cabaret Scenes - The Cabaret World's Only Magazine. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
- ^ Friedman, Gabe (2025-01-16). "In a new album, singer Ari Axelrod celebrates Jews' contributions to Broadway". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
- ^ Solomon, Eyal (2023-02-28). "Ari Axelrod's "A Place For Us: A Celebration of Jewish Broadway"". Theater Pizzazz. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
- ^ Slomovits, Sandor (2016-04-29). "Ari Axelrod: A Life Transformed A Young Actor's Journey Back to the Stage After Discovering He Needed Brain Surgery". Crazy Wisdom Community Journal. Retrieved 2025-02-25.