The Chutzpah Festival is a performing arts festival hosted by the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver at the Norman Rothstein Theatre each year.
In 2025 the festival takes place from November 12th to the 23rd.
Click Vancouver Chutzpah Festival for the event’s official website.
This article contains the following information about the Chutzpah Festival:
Location | About the Chutzpah Festival | Comedy Shows | Dance Performances | Musical Shows | Theatre and Multi-Disciplinary Performances | Workshops | Promotional Video | Chutzpah Definition | Other Information
The Chutzpah! Festival in Vancouver
Pronounced with a silent “C” and featuring theatre, music and dance, the Chutzpah Festival normally takes place in the fall. In the spring of 2025, there was a bonus Chutzpah Plus Festival that happened over a few days in March. This year’s main festival, however, still takes place in the fall. It runs from November 12th until the 23rd.
Chutzpah Festival Location
Chutzpah Festival performances take place primarily at the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver’s 318-seat Norman Rothstein Theatre.
The Norman Rothstein Theatre is at 950 West 41st Avenue in Vancouver.
See the Vancouver Chutzpah Festival website for tickets and full details.
About the Main Chutzpah Festival in the Fall
The Chutzpah Festival draws talented musicians, comedians, dancers and actors from around the world including from Israel, Australia and the United States.
Comedy, dance, music, theatre and multi-disciplinary performances happening during the 2025 fall season are listed below. Ticket prices vary depending on the show. In addition to the staged events, there are also various workshops for families to enjoy.
Comedy Performances
Chutzpah Festival comedy shows in 2025 include:
- Modi – voted as a top 10 comedian in New York City, Modi Rosenfeld brings his Pause for Laughter Tour to Vancouver’s Vogue Theatre on November 12th.
- Comedy for Peace – a night of comedy featuring Erik Angel, Ashley Austin Morris, Natan Badalov and Zara Khan. The show takes place at the Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre on November 22nd.
Dance Performances
Dance performances at the Chutzpah Festival in 2025 include the following:
- Common Place – Australians Omer Backley-Astrachan and Jana Castillo perform a physical exploration of collaboration at the Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre on November 20th.
Musical Performances
Concerts and musical performances at the Chutzpah Festival in 2025 include the following:
- Yiddish Songs of Social Change – seven American and European musicians combine for a memorable concert at the Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre. The show runs on November 23rd and features everything from old folk ballads to newer theatre-style songs.
See the Vancouver Chutzpah Festival website for tickets and full details.
Theatre and Multi-Disciplinary
Theatre and multi-disciplinary performances at the Chutzpah Festival in 2025 include the following:
- 8 Gays of Channukah – the west coast debut of this musical includes eight different stories all about identity and community. It’s a queer celebration at the Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre on November 13th.
- Take This Waltz: Celebrating the Music of Leonard Cohen – presented with the Vancouver Opera, this show features live music, dance and other visuals in tribute to Leonard Cohen. The show runs on both November 15th and 16th at the Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre.
- The Flame – a night of storytelling with Deb Williams, Karen Segal and Dhana Musil. It takes place on November 17th at the Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre.
- I’m Not a Comedian… I’m Lenny Bruce – a one-man theatrical performance portraying Lenny Bruce. The event happens at the Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre on November 18th.
- Shtetl Cabaret – a night of Jewish entertainment starring Lea Kalisch and her band. It’s a concert covering a variety of genres with some elements of theatre. The show takes place at The Beaumont Studios on November 19th.
Workshops
The following workshops take place during the 2025 Chutzpah Festival:
- The Flame Workshop – a storytelling workshop with Deb Williams on November 15th and 16th at The Post at 750.
- Dance Masterclass – Omer Backley-Astrachan and Jana Castillo lead a three-hour dance session for experienced dancers. It takes place on November 21st at the Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre.
- Yiddish Song & Dance Workshop – a free workshop in which participants learn about Yiddish music and dance. It happens in the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver on November 23rd.
See the Vancouver Chutzpah Festival website for tickets and full details.
Chutzpah Festival Video
For an idea of what to expect at this year’s Chutzpah Festival, below is a promotional video for 2025.
Chutzpah Definition
In case you were curious about what Chutzpah means, synonyms include the words audacity, effrontery, cheek, gall and supreme self-confidence.
The Chutzpah Festival is one of Vancouver’s top performing arts festivals and in 2025 it celebrates its 25th year.
Other Information
See the Chutzpah Festival website to learn more.
See Vancouver’s Festivals & Events Calendar for information about other similar events at other times of the year.
Other articles that might be of interest include the following:
- Vancouver’s October and November Calendars
- Vancouver Shows & Entertainment
- Lower Mainland Rainy Day Activities
- Theatre in Vancouver
- History & Culture in Vancouver
