As per usual, my calendar for the coming academic year is starting to fill up with speaking engagements and other work-related adventures — some in-person and some virtual. Want me to visit your class, department, conference, or theatre festival? Look for the “Book Henry” button that appears in numerous places on this site.
Henry Bial is the author of Acting Jewish and Playing God. He has more than twenty years of experience in theatre and performance studies as a scholar, teacher, and leader.
Appearances
Apr
17
17
“Day 6”
CBC Radio, Canada
In Spring 2022, I spoke to Day 6, the weekly newsmagazine show on CBC/Radio-Canada, about Jesus Christ Superstar and its popularity as an Easter-themed entertainment.
Mar
8
8
University of Texas
(Austin, TX)
Excited to announce my upcoming talk at the University of Texas’s Schusterman Center for Jewish Studies, “Stop Calling It Jewface: When Gentile Actors Play Jewish Roles.” Details here.
Nov
12
12
“Morning Edition”
National Public Radio
In Fall 2021, NPR’s Morning Edition listeners got to hear me offer expert commentary on the phenomenon of non-Jewish actors playing Jewish roles.
Books
Playing God: The Bible on the Broadway Stage
Playing God: The Bible on the Broadway Stage
How Biblical texts have inspired Broadway plays and musicals, from Ben-Hur to Jesus Christ Superstar.
“Incisive and sophisticated, but also accessible and, frankly, fun.”
–John Fletcher
Louisiana State University
buy it now
