(LEONIA, NJ) -- Liberty Arts Theatre presents Michelle's Bark Mitzvah Bash from November 6-9, 2025 at The American Legion - Post #1 in Leonia.  What happens when a family of Re-PUP-licans and Demo-CATs get together?

It's November 9th, 1989 and Afghan hound Michelle is turning thirteen. Her mixed family of cats and dogs claws and paws itself through a night of 80's hits, dance-offs, disagreements, and a brotherly showdown.

This high-energy, music-filled celebration lands on one truth - tradition, memory and love make a family.

The cast includes: Rosebel Aldana (Belle), Stavros Adamides (Morty), Robin Barbosa (Midge), Bill Benedict (Wally), Nicole Cariddi (Joy), Steve Goldberg (Ira), Nadia Kaddour (Renee), Josh Kammerman (Bartender), Ellen Krischer (Rachel), Devora Krischer (Lindsay), Simon Krischer (Nathan), Michael Larson (Samuel), Andrew Li (DJ Steve), Erica Mallon (Stephanie), Vito Mazza (Irving), Alison Miller (Michelle), Kaori Nakamura (Kiki), Jean Paul Rivera (Waiter), Lori Sash (Trixie), and Tiffany Valens (Hannah).

Performances take place Thursday, November 6 at 8:00pm; Saturday, November 8 at 8:00pm; and Sunday, November 9 at 3:00pm. Tickets start at $25 and are available for purchase online. The American Legion - Post #1 is located at 399 Broad Avenue in Leonia, New Jersey.

The play was written by Alison Miller & Michael Larson. The production is Directed by Michael Larson; Produced by Alison Miller; Choreographed by Jamie Chandler, Nicole Cariddi, Tiffany Valens, Erica Mallon; Sound Design by Andrew Li (DJ MarvL); Lighting Design by Michael Larson; Costumes by Laurette Miller, Tiffany Valens, Nadia Kaddour; Scenic Design and Painting by Silverio Barbosa.

Michelle's Bark Mitzvah Bash is a joyful, 80's soaked comedy where cats and dogs really are family.

Founded in 2021 by Leonia native, Alison Miller, Liberty Arts Theatre is a community-oriented collective dedicated to the development and production of performance art in Bergen County, New Jersey. They love all art including music, dance, theatre, film, painting and more. Michelle's Bark Mitzvah Bash is exemplary of Liberty Arts' philosophy which aims to rise above political division with humor and engagement. They seek to foster an open forum in which differing perspectives are given the opportunity to share a seat at the table.