NEW YORK, NY — Fresh off a highly successful, critically buzzing industry presentation at New York’s Open Jar Studios, the powerhouse producing trio of Rain Pryor, Joel Eisenberg, and Jay Michaels has officially announced that Pryor’s explosive, culturally vital new play, PASS THE MATZO, is marching toward its Off-Broadway premiere as early as Autumn 2026.

In tandem with securing a premier New York venue and finalizing cast attachments, the producers are formally opening exclusive investment tiers and Associate Producer opportunities for theatrical investors looking to back a highly lucrative, lean commercial property.

Set against the backdrop of a family Passover Seder, Pass the Matzo brings together two fiercely distinct families—the Jewish Bergers and the Black American Johnsons. Together, they are forced to navigate decades of unspoken history, racial tensions, systemic realities, and a sudden, life-altering medical revelation. The play features an exceptionally balanced, diverse six-character ensemble that directly expands traditional box office demographics, appealing simultaneously to loyal, established theatergoers and younger, cross-cultural audiences.

The Play Renaissance: A Massive Market Advantage

“Pass the Matzo hits the market at a time when straight plays are experiencing a commercial resurgence on Broadway and Off-Broadway. As upfront capitalization costs for musicals skyrocket to between $15 million and $25 million, smart capital is moving toward intimate, text-driven, emotionally resonant stories,” says producer/promtional executive, Jay Michaels.
Because Pass the Matzo utilizes a single interior location and a tight six-actor cast, it features an incredibly low weekly operating overhead. This built-in fiscal discipline allows the show to hit its box office “break-even” point at modest capacity, paving a rapid path to profitability through its primary run, national/international tours, and massive global secondary licensing potential.
“We are also heavily in discussion to turn this into an independent film,” says producer/screenwriter, Joel Eisenberg

The Rain Pryor Legacy & Pedigree
Playwright Rain Pryor brings a powerful artistic pedigree and built-in brand recognition to the project. As the daughter of the legendary comedy icon Richard Pryor, Rain grew up at the exact intersection of Black and Jewish cultures. Her unique upbringing infuses Pass the Matzo with unmistakable authenticity, using sharp, uncompromising humor to dismantle complex social issues like race, identity, and generational trauma. Her name gives the production an immediate media hook, creating built-in audience curiosity and press coverage.