Chutzpah! Festival unveils 2026 programming, with actor Ari’el Stachel, comedian Jacob Samuel, dance artist Meghann Michalsky, and more
The 26th annual edition spans theatre, dance, comedy, and music from November 3 to 15
Ari’el Stachel
Meghann Michalsky’s Exile
THE CHUTZPAH! FESTIVAL has just announced its 2026 fall program, featuring solo shows by Tony Award-winning actor Ari’el Stachel, the world premiere of dance artist Meghann Michalsky’s Exile, and the return of the popular pantomime Yankl and the Beanstalk—complete with some magic beans and a friendly pickle fairy.
The 26th annual edition takes place November 3 to 15 across multiple venues, including the Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre, the Rio Theatre, and The Fox Cabaret.
Launching the festival at the Rio Theatre is an eclectic display of local talent emceed by award-winning comedian Jacob Samuel. On the roster that evening are flamenco dance artist and choreographer Liat Har Lev, indie singer-songwriter Haley K Turner, poet Angelic Goldsky, and more.
On November 4, Ronit Rubinstein’s solo work Things My Dad Kept makes its West Coast premiere at the Rothstein, detailing the playwright’s personal journey of grief following her father’s passing (presented in partnership with the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre). At the ANNEX, An Evening With Ari’el Stachel explores Jewish identity and mental health with humour and vulnerability, on November 9 and 10.
Chutzpah! Festival presents two dance performances at the Rothstein: May Zarhy’s Kristin (November 5), featuring dancer Amit Zaretsky, and Meghann Michalsky’s Exile (November 10 and 11). Kristin is a solo that plays out twice, with a discussion in the middle, while Exile—created in partnership with Project In Tandem and the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity—is a personal ode to wind and water as salvation.
Duo Andalus
For a night of music, rapper Kosha Dillz hits the Temple Sholom on November 7 while Duo Andalus—Moroccan vocalist Lala Tamar and flamenco guitarist and oud player Ofer Ronen—offers an intimate cross-cultural concert at The Fox Cabaret, November 12.
Head to the Rothstein Theatre on November 8 for comedian Matthew Broussard’s fast-paced jokes and self-deprecating jabs land with full force. Opening the show is his wife Laura Sogar, a former competitive swimmer with her own list of unfiltered stories to tickle your funny bone.
Closing out the fest with family-friendly fun is Tamara Micner’s Yankl and the Beanstalk, a unique fusion of pantomime and Yiddish theatre that’s based on the classic tale of Jack and the Beanstalk, running November 14 and 15 at the Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre. Set in the 1890s in East London, the story follows Yankl, a pickle factory worker, and his cousin Milly as they take on the greedy Lady Mayfair and Giant.
Additional workshops and artist talkbacks will run throughout the festival, including the Artist Conversation Series, taking place after select shows at the Sidney & Gertrude Zack Gallery.
Single tickets and packages of four are now available on the Chutzpah! Festival website here. 
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