Rudetsky Speaks With BocaNewsNow.com. Will Be Joined By Lillias White And Arielle Jacobs In David Posnack JCC’s “The Overlap.”
BY: ANDREW COLTON | Editor and Publisher | BROWARD COUNTY, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2026 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — If you want to know what passion sounds like, spend a few minutes speaking with Seth Rudetsky. He’s a Broadway legend, he’s the host of the afternoon show on Sirius/XM’s “On Broadway” channel, he is a fierce advocate for social justice and Jews in the Arts, and he comes across as a really nice guy.
Seth spent a few minutes speaking with BocaNewsNow.com about his upcoming visit to South Florida, sponsored by The David Posnack Jewish Community Center’s “The Overlap.”
“Speaking Up in Every Key: A Musical Celebration” takes the stage on February 22, 2026, at 7 p.m. at the Miramar Cultural Center. The event features Rudetsky with Broadway stars Lillias White (Tony and Emmy Award Winner), and Arielle Jacobs (Aladdin and In The Heights), blending powerhouse musical performances with personal stories centered on empathy, allyship, and using the arts as a catalyst for change.
While the program addresses serious issues, Rudetsky says it is not meant to feel like a lecture. “I don’t want people to think it’s going to be a shaming lecture or just boring facts,” he said during a phone call. “It’s going to be everything through the lens of comedy and amazing music — entertaining, musical, and educational at the same time.”
Rudetsky — known nationally as the afternoon host on SiriusXM’s “On Broadway” and as a Broadway pianist, conductor, and writer — told BocaNewsNow.com that while social justice has long been central to his life, his recent focus on Jewish advocacy was sparked by events following the October 7th attack.
“I really only started doing Jewish stuff after October 7,” Rudetsky said. “I saw the misinformation, and what was shocking was how quickly there was a lack of sympathy. I thought, if people really had facts without hyperbole, they wouldn’t feel this way. That’s when I said, I’ve got to figure out a way to get education out there.”
That effort led Rudetsky to found the Jewish Broadway Alliance which at least partially led to the South Florida performance. “They contacted me and asked if I could come talk about the artist’s role in social justice and Jews in the arts,” he said. “It’s what I know so much about. But because it’s me, and I’m a comic, it’s going to be really entertaining — lots of inside Broadway stories, amazing singing, and inspiration.”
Rudetsky said the combination of artists was intentional. Jacobs, who is Filipino and Jewish, brings a younger, multicultural perspective and extensive advocacy work, while White has spent decades supporting causes ranging from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS to the Actors Fund and co-founding Black Theatre United. “Lillias and I are very connected,” Rudetsky said, recalling years of benefit concerts and activism they have shared. “These are three very different perspectives, and together it really works.”
The evening will also include a special collaboration with the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida, along with solo performances from all three stars. Organizers say the program reflects The Overlap’s mission of bridging communities through shared cultural experiences and open dialogue.
“We are thrilled to welcome Seth, Lillias, and Arielle to South Florida,” said Ali Shrago-Spechler, director of the George Gottlieb Institute. “They have used their passions for the arts to encourage solidarity in the face of intolerance, and these lessons will be valuable to all in attendance.”
Ultimately, Rudetsky hopes audiences leave feeling energized rather than overwhelmed. “One of the ways anti–social justice movements wear people down is by exhausting them,” he said. “I really hope people leave knowing they can do a tiny thing and make a difference. Not a social media post — a real thing. Those small actions really reverberate.”
The event is part of The Overlap’s 2026 season, presented by the David Posnack JCC in collaboration with the George Gottlieb Institute and supported by the Sam Berman Charitable Foundation and the Jewish Federation of Broward County.
Tickets are on sale now. Complimentary tickets are available for students and student groups. For ticket pricing and availability, attendees may contact Nancy Cohen at ncohen@dpjcc.org.
