Showtime: ‘Bad Jews’ will be on stage at the Walnut Street Theatre’s Independence Studio on 3 through Nov. 30.
Seeing The Little Shop of Horrors was what did it for him.
“My mother took me to see the show when I was in the fifth grade, and that made me want to become an actor,” said Davy Raphaely, one of four actors now appearing in Bad Jews at the Walnut Street Theatre’s Independence Studio on 3 through Nov. 30.
In what he describes as a “dark comedy,” Raphaely plays Liam Haber. The play features Daphna Feygenbaum, a “Real Jew” with an Israeli boyfriend whom she met on Birthright. When Daphna’s cousin Liam brings home his non-Jewish girlfriend, Melody, he declares ownership of their grandfather’s coveted Chai necklace.
“Liam refers to himself as an atheist rather than a Jew,” Raphaely explained. “But his cousin Daphna, a wannabe rabbi, tries to force her religion and her views on everyone. And so begins the argument over family, faith and legacy, and who deserves this family heirloom.”
The actor said as soon as he read the script and found himself laughing out loud, he knew he wanted to do the play.
“And it was Liam who stood out the most, the one most like me.”
Raphaely added that it’s not imperative that the actor be like the character he plays, but it helps.
“The more I can identify with the character, the more I’m able to breathe life into him and make him seem more realistic to the audience.”
But growing up, Raphaely didn’t think such thoughts, only that he wanted desperately to be an actor.
Hot on the heels of seeing Little Shop, Raphaely enrolled in a performing arts high school in his native Baltimore before eventually winning a scholarship to the University of the Arts.
“I knew I wanted to study in a big city, and as soon as I saw Philadelphia, I fell in love with it,” Raphaely recalled. “And, of course, winning that scholarship didn’t hurt.”
After graduating from U of A, where he received his BFA in Acting, as well as the University’s Performance Award, Raphaely began appearing with many area companies.
“I found so many wonderful opportunities here, that, for me, it was almost like going to graduate school, with my first professional appearance on stage in Philadelphia with the Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre,” he said..
Since then, he’s worked consistently throughout the city, with companies including the Walnut Street Theatre, the Arden Theatre, Theatre Exile, InterAct and others.
Raphaely also began his film career in 2008 in a short film called Valentine’s Day, written and directed by local casting director Mike Lemon. Since then, he’s done other films and web series, and appeared in numerous commercial and print ads.
“I love everything I do,” he said, “but I especially like the rehearsal process before the show opens and I get to interact with my fellow actors. That’s when you can try different things and even jump off a cliff. But you’re always safe because there’s always someone there to catch you.” ••
For times and ticket information, call 215–574–3550.
