originally published: 08/10/2025

Josh Bierman (Sam), Collin Couvillion (Ely), and Cole Edelstein (Baruch). Photo by Danny Howard Hamilton

(NEW YORK, NY) — Twist Of Faith, an original comedy-drama with music, will make its debut at Theater for the New City as part of the 2025 Dream Up Festival. The production will run for five performances from August 24-31 in the Johnson Theater. Set over the course of a single Jewish Sabbath, Twist of Faith follows the unexpected encounter between two deeply different young men—a meeting that challenges both of their assumptions and forever changes the trajectory of their lives.

Infused with humor, live music, and heart, the play explores timeless themes of faith, friendship, and identity.  The production features powerful original songs performed live by a roving singer/guitarist, bringing emotional depth and atmosphere to this fast-paced, thought-provoking narrative.

Written by Michael Gurin, based on a story by Matt Okin and Michael Gurin, “Twist of Faith” features Original songs by Avi Kunstler. The production is directed by Matt Okin and stars Josh Bierman (Sam), Cole Edelstein (Baruch), Collin Couvillion (Ely – Singer/Guitarist), and Jake Kitchin (Swing).

Cole Edelstein (Baruch) and Josh Bierman (Sam). Photo by Danny Howard Hamilton

Performances take place Sunday, August 24 at 8:00pm; Tuesday, August 26 at 6:30pm; Wednesday, August 27 at 9:00pm; Thursday, August 28 at 9:00pm; and Sunday, August 31 at 5:00pm. Tickets are $20 and available for purchase online. Johnson Theater at Theater for the New City is located at 155 First Avenue, New York, NY.

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The production team is rounded out by Assistant Director & Producer: Haia R’nana Bchiri; Production Stage Manager: Joseph Liberti; and Production Assistant: Perla Brodchandel.

Twist Of Faith is a story of unexpected connection, tested beliefs, and finding harmony where it’s least expected.

The Dream Up Festival at Theater for the New City is a curated celebration of innovative new works across genres. Known for launching bold and original voices, the festival provides an exciting platform for emerging and established artists alike. This year’s festival runs from August 14 – September 14, 2025 with all performances will take place at Theater for the New City.

CAST & CREATIVE TEAM: 

Josh Bierman (Sam) is a native Manhattanite who is thrilled to be performing in his hometown once again. Most recently, he played Jack Worthing in Voice Theatre’s production of The Importance of Being Earnest. Josh toured with Olney Theatre Center’s National Players with whom he performed Twelfth Night, The Crucible, and Around the World in 80 Days across 23 states and three prisons. He also toured in Ken Ludwig’s ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Josh would like to thank his friends and family for their endless support and keeping him relatively sane.

Cole Edelstein (Baruch) is a singer, actor, dancer and songwriter and is thrilled to be a part of Twist of Faith! Cole is a graduate of Northwestern University class of 2025, where he majored in Theatre and minored in Dance. Cole has been performing in musicals since he was 8 years old; Notable credits include Matilda on Broadway (Bruce/Tommy swing), A Christmas Carol at Ford’s Theatre (Turkey Boy) Appropriate at Woolly Mammoth Theatre (Ainsley) and Marie Antoinette at Woolly Mammoth Theatre (the Dauphin) When he is not performing Cole does Taekwondo, follows Hip Hop dance tutorials, writes Science Fiction, tutors, and learns languages- He speaks German, Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish and is currently learning Mandarin!

Cole Edelstein (Baruch) and Josh Bierman (Sam). Photo by Danny Howard Hamilton

Collin Couvillion (Ely) is thrilled to be a part of this production of Twist of Faith. He served as both music supervisor and performer in the long-running Off-Broadway shows De La Guarda and Fuerza Bruta (as well as the Las Vegas and European tour productions of De La Guarda). Collin was also the co-composer for the Times Square attraction The Ride. His credits include work with the creators of Blue Man Group and some film scores. Alongside performing, Collin is a full-time music teacher at SAR Academy in the Bronx.

Jake Kitchin (Swing) is an actor, singer, musician, songwriter, and is thrilled to be a part of Twist of Faith! Some credit highlights include: Michael (Billy Elliot Broadway National Tour & LA), Bright Star (Pre-Broadway Workshop @NY Stage and film), Lenny Ross (I Battled Lenny Ross, Original Off Broadway Premier), Donny! (Pilot), SNL (Multiple appearances). He’s also been featured in many concerts and cabarets, including at Madison Square Garden where he was honored to sing on stage with The Eagles during their Hotel California tour. Jake plays guitar, bass, and mandolin, and his first album, On A Clear Day, was released this past spring 2025! Jake is represented by Bonnie Shumofsky Bloom at Stewart Talent and Stephanie Artuso at Ascend Talent Management, and is a proud member of Actors Equity and SAG-AFTRA!

Matt Okin (director/original story) is currently directing Annabel’s Sister by George Kolber, the writer/producer of the 2023 feature film Miranda’s Victim. Recent theatrical directing credits include Sam Shepard’s Action, the U.S. Premiere of Little Ocean, and The Unseen Hand, 1+1 by Eric Bogosian; Imaginary Comforts by Daniel Handler a.k.a. Lemony Snicket; The Cleopatra Club, by Paul Schrader; Exposed, by Beth Henley; and Edward Albee’s The Play About the Baby. His original plays showcased in NYC, NJ, and on tours include Cherry Hill; Beltsville/Rockville, Part One: Rise of the Goatman; #OneInnocentWoman; and Walter Liked to Sit in His Big Backyard. Original musicals include The Rock Musical Soul Searching — which is currently being redeveloped and revived for NYC – and the long-running A Match Made in Manhattan.

Matt received a BFA in Dramatic Writing from New York University’s Tisch School of The Arts where he studied with the likes of Maria Irene Fornes, Len Jenkin, Martin Epstein, Jan Hartman, Leslie Lee, Charlie Purpura, and Gary Garrison; he is the founder of Black Box and a long-time Teaching Artist for select theater programs for teens and adults in Bergen County, NJ. Matt’s new comedy screenplay, Issues, is in active development.

Avi Kunstler (original songs) is a long time singer/songwriter who has composed the music and lyrics to many Black Box productions, including the original Twist of Faith, Second Chances, Destinations,A Match Made In Manhattan: The Interactive Jewish Wedding Experience, and The Rock Musical Soul Searching, which is currently being revived for NYC. At times, he has joined the band in performance of select shows. Avi has performed across the United States as well as in London and Israel. He and his wife Mimi split their time between their homes in New York and Jerusalem.

Haia R’nana Bchiri (assistant director/producer) is a multi-hyphenate theatre artist and educator. Once a student at Black Box Studios, she subsequently joined the BBS team as the professional theatre branch of the company was established. Selected credits: The Pillowman, Sweeney Todd (AD/fight and SFX), The Curious Savage (Director/Producer) with Black Box; Dramaturg and Associate Fight/Intimacy Director for Cancelina, Romeo and Juliet, The Promise, Boxed, Winter’s Tale, Trojan Women, Uncle Vanya at UCSD; Chagall, Variations on Crossing the Alps, and Hereville (Dramaturg) at the Old Globe; These and Those (Ayala/Dramaturg), In Every Generation (Dramaturg/Costume Designer), and Women of Valor (Rabbi Yael Ridberg/Translator) with SD JFest; Jewish Weddings: A Field Guide and Family Therapy (Playwright) at the REGENERATE new play festival; Eurydice (Director), Fefu and Her Friends (Emma), Circle Mirror Transformation (Theresa), Peer Gynt (Solveig/Aase) at Brandeis; interactive Hamlet (Director), Midsummer (Puck/Director), Taming of the Shrew (Kate), and more with CYSAP. As she develops her dissertation and associated Megillah Cycle of adaptations, she has been engaged to speak in schools and conferences on history, theatre, and the importance of Jewish dramaturgy.

Joseph Liberti (production stage manager) is honored to be working once again with Black Box on this on Twist Of Faith. A current student at Marymount Manhattan College, he has previously assisted on numerous productions including Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Hamlet, The Pillowman and 1+1.