Theatre Palisades to Perform ‘Just a Second’ at Westchester Playhouse

Jennie Fahn to Host Two Fundraising Performances of “Under the Jello Mold” to Benefit Theatre Palisades

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

After the loss of Pierson Playhouse in the Palisades fire, Theatre Palisades is hosting a two-weekend run of “Jest a Second” and will benefit from area fundraising performances.

Jennie Fahn will perform “Under the Jello Mold” on Saturday, June 7, and Sunday, June 8, to fundraise to help Theatre Palisades rebuild.

Fahn last performed “Under the Jello Mold” at Pierson Playhouse in October 2024. She was scheduled to perform an encore in February, before the venue was lost to the Palisades fire.

“The audience’s response to the show [at Theatre Palisades] was amazing,” Fahn said. “We really looked forward to doing it again. I’m not a builder and I can’t figure out how to fix the problems that the fires caused, but I can make people laugh, so I hope people come to the show and enjoy themselves. That’s what I can give.”

The show is described as a one-woman comedy, written by and starring Fahn, as she chronicles the end of her mother’s life.

“The title refers to the specific spot Jennie’s mom hid her end-of-life instructions; it turned out, she was also hiding a secret,” according to a statement. “In 80 minutes, Jennie’s one-woman tour-de-force entertains, enlightens and thrills—sharing the relatable details of the last chapter of Jennie’s not-that-typical mom.”

There will be two performances of the “Under the Jello Mold,” both at The Blue Door in Culver City—located at 9617 Venice Boulevard—on Saturday, June 7, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, June 8, at 4 p.m. General admission tickets are $35.

Before the fire, Theatre Palisades had planned to open its first show of the 2025 season on Friday, January 10: “Jest a Second,” a follow-up to “Beau Jest,” which was performed in 2024.

The play will now be staged at Westchester Playhouse, home to the Kentwood Players, with nine performances scheduled over two weekends.

“In this follow-up to ‘Beau Jest,’ Sarah and Bob are now married and expecting their first child,” read a synopsis. “However, Sarah’s brother, Joel, is now the one having trouble admitting something to their parents—and Bob once again steps in to ‘help.’ Hilarity once again ensues as the family deals with its latest drama.”

“Jest a Second” performances will take place Thursday, June 12, at 8 p.m.; Friday, June 13, at 8 p.m.; Saturday, June 14, at 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday, June 15, at 2 p.m.; Thursday, June 19, at 8 p.m.; Friday, June 20, at 8 p.m.; and Saturday, June 21, at 2 and 8 p.m.

Theatre Palisades Youth and Harvard-Westlake Upper School recently partnered to present “Things We Found in The Fire,” a cabaret show to benefit Theatre Palisades Youth, on Sunday, May 18.

“This heartwarming collaboration came about thanks to TPY’s music director, gaba … who connected with their performing arts director,” according to Theatre Palisades Youth. “Driven by a desire to support those in the arts affected by the recent fires, Harvard-Westlake performing arts students, including some from our very own Palisades, enthusiastically offered to host and help produce this TPY cabaret.”

Harvard-Westlake students collaborated with and mentored TPY performers as they prepared for the show, which took place in the Harvard-Westlake School Rugby Auditorium.