Putting the pieces together
From the streets of Jerusalem to the villages of Eastern Europe to the suburbs of Long Island in the 1960s, Evan Kent’s one-man show Shards: Putting the Pieces Together transports you through generations and across continents.
Shards is…
1 actor,
21 characters,
3 continents,
4 generations,
8 songs,
75 minutes,
Unlimited memories!
A Theatrical Adventure
Shards is a 75-minute performance filled with stories of great joy, discovery, and tales of sadness and loss.
Through story and song, Evan celebrates the strength it takes to find a new path and discover a new home and homeland.
This one-person musical performance chronicles the story of Evan’s immigration to Israel (Aliyah), interwoven with the tales of his grandparents’ journey from Russia to New York in 1908.
It is the story of the continual search for home and, along the way, discovering what you didn’t even know you had lost.
Through the gift of storytelling, we will join together and cross continents, travel through time, and meet members of Evan’s extended family, as well as some of the colorful neighbors living in Israel.
“Cantor Evan Kent’s show “Shards” is a gift you owe yourself. This moving show about Cantor Kent’s family transcends the particularity of one person’s story, touching on themes that connect to all of us, including immigration, belonging, and identity, as well as home – the search for home, what it means to be at home, and how we make our homes in the world and throughout history.”
Rabbi Hara Person, Chief Executive, Central Conference of American Rabbis
Shards Preview Film
Watch the Shards preview film to learn more about the story its characters…
“Evan Kent’s “Shard’s” is a tour de force! He brilliantly weaves together vignettes of multiple characters and voices into a hilarious and moving 75 minute window into his life of song, comedy, puppetry, family, friendships, and Judaism featuring his own original lyrics and music as well as popular music. I highly recommend Evan’s show for your community!”
Cantor Daniel Singer, Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, New York
Artist in Residence
Invite Evan to your community for a memorable weekend. You’ll experience Shards, learn about the stories we tell and the stories we remember, and be moved emotionally and transformed spiritually as you experience the power of intergenerational storytelling.
Get in touch to inquire about booking a residency or performance of Shards in your community…
Watch clips from Shards and hear audience reactions after experiencing a performance…
Upcoming Shows
JANUARY 23-26, 2025
Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation
Indianapolis – Indiana – US
January 30-February 2, 2025
Congregation Beth Israel
Portland – Oregon – US
May 8-10, 2025
Temple B’rith Kodesh
Rochester – New York – US
May 15-18, 2025
Temple Shalom
Chevy Chase – Maryland – US
Evan regularly tours and performs his shows internationally. If you don’t see a show near you, get in touch to inquire about booking a show in your community…
Past Shows
2024
April 2024, Temple Am Shalom, Glencoe, Illinois
April 2024, North Virginia Hebrew Congregation, Reston, Virginia,
April, 2024, Temple Beth El, Knoxville, Tennessee
2023
January 2023, Private performance, Tel Aviv, Israel
February 2023, Temple Judea, Tarzana, California
February 2023, Temple Adat Elohim, Thousand Oaks, California
2022
May 2022, Congregation Gemiluth Chassodim, Alexandria, Louisiana
May 2022, Temple Emanuel, Kensington, Maryland
2021
March 2021 (virtual performance): Shards: The Passover Edition (private performance)
March 2021, Temple Beth El, Boca Raton, Florida, (Virtual Artist-in-Residence)
March 2021, Congregation Dor Tamid, Johns Creek, Georgia (Virtual performance)
March/April 2021, Center Stage Israel, Ra’anana (in-person live performance)
March/April 2021, Shards: The Passover Edition, Video-On-Demand
April 10, Temple Beth Emet, Evanston, Illinos (Virtual performance)
2020
May 2020, Temple Emanu-El, San Diego, California (virtual perfromance and storytelling workshop)
December 2020, Temple Beth Tikvah, Roswell, Georgia (virtual performance)
December 2020, Temple Concord, Binghampton, New York (virtual performance)
“Evan’s show “Shards” is written straight from his heart. It’s about his family, his story, but it’s not ABOUT him. It’s about the love that connects all of us. You will laugh and be moved to tears as he so sweetly tells and sings a story that honors the courage to keep moving forward. “Shards” celebrates the strength it takes to break apart the things that are holding you back and then to travel as far as it takes to begin to put the pieces together anew to build a better life.”
Mary Ekler, music director, pianist, arranger
About Evan
Evan Kent is an actor, cantor, singer, puppeteer and storyteller based in Tel Aviv, Israel.
With a rich career spanning from his tenure as cantor at Temple Isaiah in Los Angeles, to captivating international audiences with his one-man show Shards, Evan’s journey is truly inspiring.
Find out more about Evan and his work…