Five Shining Stars, the story of five women living in a glamorous building in Amsterdam

Ever since I was a child, I knew that when I grow up, I will be an actress.

That didn’t happen, but the knowledge gave me focus and peace of mind. I always wondered and pitied my friends who didn’t know what they wanted to do when they grew up.

Indeed, as a child, I couldn’t wait to grow up. It didn’t happen fast enough for me. Did you have such a feeling, too?

Well, finally, I grew up to be a producer.

After taking theater and drama classes throughout my childhood and teenage years – I even took ballet classes in order to be a better actress – two weeks into my bachelor studies of Theatre at the Tel Aviv university, I realized that Film and Television is much more interesting and challenging.

I simply switched my studies.

Fast forward some 25 years later…

In 2014, I produced the first Israeli Stage Festival in the Netherlands, starring the First Lady of Israeli theatre, Ms. Lia Keunig. It was the first time that Hebrew theatre was introduced here, and in order to make sure there will be a ’buzz’ and that the public will come, I thought that creating an Israeli Drama Circle of amateurs would be a good idea. It turned out to be such a good idea, that it continues up until today, and it doesn’t show signs of relenting!

Of course, I was the first to join. We were led by a number of talented theatre guides and teachers. We had a lot of fun all these years, and last year we staged our own version of ‘Lysistrata’.

On to the next

In a couple of weeks our second show will premier in Amsterdam: ‘Five Shining Stars,’ a bitter-sweet Hudonit comedy. It’s a show that exemplifies how tragedy can become a source of inspiration and growth, as the director, Hagai Saharai, says:

“It’s been more than half a year since my mother, Cochava (star) left us. Six months of pain and profound sorrow, days full of tears and longing.
I began writing “Five Shining Stars” in my head long before my dear mother passed away. It didn’t yet have this title, but already in the first meetings in January 2024 of the Israeli/Jewish community theatre group in Amsterdam, we touched on stars, women, and everything in between.
We started with a song by Hanoch Levin, took a ride with Thelma and Louise. Then we turned some beloved songs into monologues, and finally, we indulged in dialogues from The Odd Couple.
Through these inspirations and written texts, we dove in and explored the relationships between characters that are un-similar to us. Riding the wave of theater-making at its best!
And then my mother passed away…
I poured my love for her into this play, which is entirely dedicated to my mother, the leading star of my life. Everything comes from you, Mom, and goes to you. 

Murder mystery

Five Shining Stars tells the story of five women living in a glamorous building in Amsterdam, a moment before it’s slated for urban renewal and just after the sudden death of its founder, Esteria Balabusta.

In the midst of pain and confusion, the women find themselves at the centre of a murder mystery, accused of killing the neighborhood detective, Zadok Kochavi.
Who murdered him? And why?
You’ll find out soon!”

You’re welcome to come and find out for yourself!
Tickets available here.

cover Left to right: Yifat Levron, Shirit Caplan, Hagai Saharai, Joanna Feldman Pawlicka, Viki Sasson-Moola, Erga Netz, Galit Bauer; Photo Michael Ballak