An evening of Shakespeare as you’ve never experienced it before.

Acting Shakespeare is a one-man show of Shakespearean monologues interspersed with theatrical anecdotes—and tastefully updated with some contemporary passages . Masterfully performed by Hudson Valley actor Kamran Saliani, and adapted from the original Acting Shakespeare by Sir Ian McKellan. Kamran is on a mission to share its power, message, and magic with the world. He is forever grateful to Sir Ian for his graciousness, his kindness, and the opportunity of a lifetime in entrusting him to revive the work and carry on its legacy.

Acting Shakespeare is produced through the Irvington Shakespeare Company, the official theater troupe of Rivertowns Playhouse - The Official Theater Wing of The Center for Independent Productions, Inc. (CIP)

This event is free, but we ask for RSVPs so we may plan for seating and refreshments.

WHO IS KAMRAN SALIANI?

Kamran Saliani founded the Irvington Shakespeare Theater Company (ISC) in 2020 as a local theater initiative, which evolved into the Rivertowns Playhouse (RTP), a non-profit organization bringing accessible, professional theater to Westchester, NY. Saliani, an actor and producer, gained permission from Sir Ian McKellen to revive his one-man show, Acting Shakespeare, and has received recognition as a "Westchester Wunderkind" for his work. The company is dedicated to making Shakespeare accessible to all people.

Born in the Bronx and raised in Irvington, NY, Kamran is a proud Iranian-Italian-British-American and graduate of NYU Tisch (BFA, Drama). Selected roles include Algernon (The Importance of Being Earnest), Pericles (Pericles, Prince of Tyre), Friar Lawrence (Romeo & Juliet), Malvolio (Twelfth Night), Dumaine (Love’s Labour’s Lost), Bertolt Brecht (Requiem for Black Marie)

Saliani has cited Ian McKellen, Bo Burnham, James (‘Jimmy’) Stewart, Bill Hader, Janet McTeer, Ismenia Mendes, Heath Ledger, Kenan Thompson, Jack Nicholson, Peter Sellers and Marlon Brando as influences.

For more about how this production came to be, please click here.

Let's have a Simcha  (party)!

The incomparable gypsy jazz clarinetist Dan Elias performs with guest musicians on the first Sunday of every month. This December, he brings the Fernern Shtern Klezmer Band to our stage. They will play festive music from the Klezmer and other traditions. Come celebrate the holiday season with this joyful performance.

More information on the performers coming soon.

Tickets: $20 here or at the door.

About the Musicians

Jordan Shapiro

Jordan is a Hudson Valley–based pianist, accordionist, guitarist, vocalist and bandleader known for his long-standing work in Balkan/Eastern European music, bluegrass music and progressive rock. A fixture of the NYC scene for decades, he’s performed in countless ensembles, bringing a deep feel for regional styles to both keyboards/accordion and guitar. His sideman work includes tours and recordings with Project/Object, Gary Lucas and Nona Hendryx, and a wide range of gigs that reflect his ability to move fluidly across folk traditions, rock music, and improvisation.

Jordan is the founder and bandleader of Choban Elektrik, a project dedicated to reimagining Balkan folk music through the sounds of vintage keyboards, electric textures, and tight ensemble interplay. Under his direction, the group has appeared in formats ranging from a core trio to a full six-piece lineup with strings, horns, and vocals—each arrangement built around Jordan’s vision of bringing new life to traditional melodies. Alongside his work as a performer, he is also an active teaching artist, leading workshops and school programs that explore global folk traditions and creative music-making.

Jerry Kisslinger

One of North America’s foremost presenters of Eastern European rhythms, percussionist Jerry Kisslinger has performed Balkan and Klezmer music at community events, concerts, and festivals for decades. On the faculty of the East European Folklife Center’s workshops since 1985, he teaches at workshops in the US and abroad, and with private students, and leads the informal music for congregation Mishkan Ha’am in Hastings.

A founding member of Zlatne Uste Balkan Brass Band, he currently plays with ZU and Kavala Brass Band as well as Pontic Firebird and other ensembles. Jerry’s discography includes Édessa and Friends: Balkan Border Music, Like in a Different World with traditional klezmer violinist Leon Schwartz, Di Shikere Kapelye, with Frank London’s Klezmer Brass All Stars,` as well as four recordings with Zlatne Uste and guest appearances on Raif Hyseni 24 and Dolunay’s Our House. 

Dan Elias

Daniel Elias has been playing the clarinet since its invention.  A product of his surroundings, Daniel brings the streets of Brooklyn alive with his instrument.  There is so much good music in the world that Daniel feels would benefit from the clarinet.  In playing  classical, Klezmer, Greek, Jazz and American Contradance music,  this approach seems to work.  The clarinet is not apparently suited for Grunge Music or Hurrian Hymns -  so he will not be playing those.  Daniel is pleased to continue his musical explorations at Ossining’s Hudson Valley Books for Humanity.

(s)mother stories is back!

Put 2025 behind you and kick-start the new year with an evening of poems, stories, and songs honoring the constant state of becoming necessary to survive this brutal world . . .

Let us know you’re coming by registering here or below.