ROCKWALL, TX (July 27, 2026) Rockwall Community Playhouse presents its next mainstage production, The Immigrant, beginning Sept. 11 and running though Sept. 27 on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 and Sundays at 2. The play is directed by Felicia Sykes. Her sister, LaDawn Brown is the assistance director. The Immigrant, Haskell Harelik is played by Adam Vigil and his wife, Leah, is played by Rue Underwood. Milton Perry (a local banker who helps the couple) is played by James Brown, and his wife, Ima, is played by Micha Stevens. Haskell’s grandson is played by Casey Norris.
The Immigrant, a true story, takes place in rural central Texas in 1909. A young Russian-Jewish immigrant, newly arrived in America through the port of Galveston, pulls his banana cart into the hamlet of Hamilton. Hamilton’s population at the time of his immigration was 1,203. Fleeing the vicious pogroms of his homeland, he sought refuge in the land of the free. Haskell ‘s family was the only Jewish family in Hamilton. Most of Hamilton was Southern Baptist. Able to speak only Yiddish, alone in the midst of this staunchly Christian community, he begs for shelter. This is how he meets the banker, Milton Perry.
This is the story of a young Russian-Jewish couple and the local couple that take them in, as religion meets religion, culture meets culture, fear meets fear, and love meets love. This is the true story of Haskell Harelik, the Immigrant. The play was written by Haskell’s grandson Mark Harelik who played the part of his grandfather in the first productions.
In 1991, The Immigrant was the most produced play in the country.
Theatre 3, in downtown Dallas, performed it in June of 2020 and by popular demand performed it again only months later in December 2020, receiving standing ovations at performances.
The Immigrant was later written as a musical which performed off Broadway from 2000-2004,
Mark Harelik said this of his grandfather Haskell, “He had been my hero since I was a boy. He was not a captain of industry or a soldier who had saved his platoon, but a different kind of hero-a very kind, generous person.”
It is truly the quintessential American story. It is about all our families; strangers in a strange land, who carved (and continue to carve) the American dream out of hard work, hope and tears.
This is a play about all of us. We are all immigrants in one sense or another. You do not want to miss this extraordinary performance!
Tickets are available at rockwallcommunityplayhouse.com.
This is a show you will remember! It is a show you will enjoy! It is a show that will speak to your heart!
Press release submitted by Erika Nannis, Rockwall Community Playhouse Board of Directors.
Rockwall Community Playhouse to present ‘The Immigrant’ beginning Sept. 11 added by Editor on
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