New Hanukkah Musical Sets Record With $3.5 Million Investment

The upcoming Hanukkah children's musical, "A Small and Funny Donut Shop," is poised to break previous records with an unprecedented investment of approximately 3.5 million shekels (about $950,000 USD). The musical, which will tour across Israel, features a comedic musical plot centered around Meni Mamtera and Nofiki opening a donut shop. Their venture takes a chaotic turn when a recipe error creates a giant, talking donut named "Sofi," leading to widespread mayhem.

Joining the main characters on stage are Israeli entertainers Niki Goldstein, Anabli, and popular characters Batya the Owl and Doni the Demon. The production is helmed by producers Elad Yosef Magen, Sabag, and Assi Stav, who have spared no expense to create what is being billed as the holiday's biggest show.

A significant aspect of the production's budget is allocated to its star, Meni Mamtera, who is expected to earn around 800,000 shekels (about $220,000 USD) for his participation. This figure represents one of the highest and most talked-about contracts in the industry this year, ensuring a sweet holiday season for the children's star, regardless of any on-stage donut mishaps.