ROM Speaks
Kristallnacht "The Night of Broken Glass"

Image side by side of Saul Rubinek and Seana McKenna
Date
Tuesday, Nov 10, 2026 19:00 - 21:00
Location
Level 1,
Currelly Gallery
Entrance
Weston Entrance
Admission
$40.00 Regular Price
$36.00 Member Price
Audience
Adults
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About

Iconic Canadian Artists Saul Rubinek and Seana McKenna Perform for One Night Only at ROM

A must attend performance by Saul Rubinek and Seana McKenna who will perform a reading from an original theatrical work to commemorate Kristallnacht. 

Referred to as "The Night of Broken Glass", Kristallnacht occurred on November 9 and 10, 1938 across Germany, Austria, and elsewhere in Europe when Nazis led gangs in the torching, vandalising, and ransacking of Jewish shops, businesses, and synagogues. This event is seen as the beginning of the Nazis' systematic attempt to annihilate Europe's Jewish population.

Using Kristallnacht as a frame of reference for the evening, two renowned Canadian actors - Saul Rubinek and Seana McKenna - explore how prejudice can escalate into persecution, and why remembrance remains a critical act of resistance.

Through vivid storytelling, each performer weaves their magic with the audience, inviting a compelling examination of the choices ordinary people make in extraordinary times, and the role individuals play in confronting hatred, exclusion, and discrimination. 

This special evening offers a sneak peek before Saul Rubinek returns to the stage at Stratford Festival in 2027, where he will star in three productions: The Merchant of Venice, Playing Shylock and his original work All in the Telling. McKenna will be co-starring in All in the Telling. 

This exciting performance by Rubinek and McKenna, will be followed by a reception with the artists, and access to the Dr. Fred Weinberg and Joy Cherry Weinberg Judaica Gallery at ROM. 

Portrait of an older man with gray hair and a beard, wearing a black shirt and jacket, against a red background.
Saul Rubinek - Feature Performer and Author

Beginning his career as a child actor, Saul Rubinek has become an internationally acclaimed film and television performer, with notable roles in Unforgiven, True Romance, The Family Man, Frasier, and Hunters. His legacy as a respected and highly in demand artist continues – he has been confirmed for three separate plays during the Stratford Festival’s 2027-28 season, including The Merchant of Venice, and two of his original one-man performances: Playing Shylock, and his new play exploring Jewish identity, All in the Telling.

Born in a refugee camp in Germany after World War II, Saul Rubinek’s father founded a Yiddish theatre company, helping shape Saul’s lifelong connection to the performing arts. Continuing the tradition, he was a founding member of Toronto Free Theatre, where he helped establish one of Canada’s most influential theatre companies that has evolved into Canadian Stage.

Image of Seana McKenna
Seana McKenna - Feature Performer

One of Canada’s most celebrated stage actors with more than three decades of acclaimed performances, Seana McKenna is a powerful storyteller known for emotionally rich and transformative performances that have captivated audiences across North America. She is a Member of the Order of Canada, honoured for her outstanding contribution to the performing arts as an award-winning actor, director, mentor, and educator. 

Renowned for her ease and versatility in bringing iconic characters to life, McKenna has played over 40 stage roles over the course of 36 years at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. A Canadian treasure in the performing arts, she was the recipient of the 2024 Stratford Festival Legacy Award, recognizing her lasting impact on Canadian theatre.

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