Author: terrep263@gmail.com

Things are about to get a little “off-center” at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

But that’s the plan. The new boundary-pushing Broward Off Center series will put some unconventional performances in the spotlight in the Fort Lauderdale venue’s intimate Abdo New River Room.

We’re talking immersive productions with lots of audience participation driving the inaugural season, which will include “In Pour Taste: A Comedy Wine Tasting Experience,” “BATSU!” and “The Office! A Musical Parody.”

“We wanted something different, something fresh, something maybe for the younger demographic that does want to be involved,” said Jill Kratish, the Broward Center’s associate vice president of programming and producing, who has been checking out off-the-beaten-path productions for shows that fit the bill.

“Immersive and interactive programming has become not just a countrywide conversation … but also a worldwide conversation … What we’re all hearing is audiences want the opportunity to be more involved. They want to be participatory.”

The new series also aims to introduce a whole new audience to the Broward Center’s Abdo New River Room, a 3,000-square-foot multipurpose banquet room situated between the Au-Rene Theater and Amaturo Theater.

“The stars aligned,” Kratish said. “We didn’t just want to pick up a proscenium show and put it in the New River Room. What a perfect place for this series. Each show will be set up in a slightly different way in the room. For people that decide to dive into the whole series, they’ll see the room in different ways for different shows.”

The Broward Center is located at 201 SW Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale. For more information, call 954-462-0222 (press 1) or visit browardcenter.org.

Here are details about the upcoming Broward Off Center shows.

‘In Pour Taste: A Comedy Wine Tasting Experience’

Comedians Sweeney Preston and Ethan Cavanagh bring the laughs while a sommelier guides you through a wine tasting journey — or, depending on how posh you are, a vino swig/chug — of five wines. This show brings the wine flow to SoFlo following sell-out stagings in New York, Toronto and the United Kingdom. You also get a charcuterie board (vegetarian option possible), and there is an alcohol-free alternative available upon advance request.
WHEN: Through Jan. 25
COST: $112.10-$147.50
WHAT’S BEING SAID: “This is not like a hoity-toity wine tasting. This is not for the connoisseur,” Kratish said. “It’s a lot of audience interaction. The “In Pour Taste” guys are Australian. They do a lot of the fringe festivals. They’ve done Edinburgh. They’ve done all the Australian fringe festivals. So they just decided they’re going to start to tour around the United States.”

“BATSU!”

Never heard of BATSU? Neither had we. It’s a sort-of Japanese game show where improv comedians compete to avoid humiliating and super-silly punishments … while the audience enjoys a meal. Speaking of which, there will be Japanese-inspired bites on the menu, including sushi options (that need to be pre-purchased) as well as a curated selection of spirits available for purchase at the bar. And yes, you can also volunteer for the game (after signing a waiver) and hopefully get to strike the “Gong of Punishment.”
WHEN: Feb. 11-22
COST: $64.90-$88.50
WHAT’S BEING SAID: The show is “hilarious,” according to Kratish, who said she first saw a performance in a small Japanese restaurant in New York City a few years ago. “It is a crazy, crazy Japanese game show. And at the time, I was like, “Oh my gosh, if they could ever get this out on tour.” And then it took a couple years for them to figure out how to get it out on tour and into performance spaces. The winner gets a prize. If you lose, you get a punishment, which I think is what ‘batsu’ means.”

“The Office! A Musical Parody”

The British import sitcom by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant — a hit on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean — is now a musical mockumentary with all your favorite characters. This production will be fully produced by the Broward Center and feature a local cast.
WHEN: April 16-May 3
COST: $70.80-$82.60
WHAT’S BEING SAID: “We co-produce with Slow Burn [Theatre Company] and we really like the concept of pouring some of our money back into the local arts community. [We’ll be], soup to nuts, using all local designers, local director, local actors to round out a three-show series,” Kratish said. “This show has been running in New York City for years and years. It is this crazy cast of characters … each of them are playing all these different roles. They’re just changing hats and wigs — it’s quick-change artists. There’s a lot of inside ‘Office’ jokes, so the more you are a fan of ‘The Office,’ the more you’ll get it.”

The new year feels like the perfect time for a new roundup of Jewish events — and South Florida is playing host to a vast lineup.

Throughout the next two months, locals can enjoy everything from a grandparents learning fest to a pickleball fundraiser, with comedy shows and concerts mixed in. There are also Jewish film festivals occurring, from Miami to Boca Raton.

If your 2026 is all about saying “yes” and getting more involved with the local Jewish community, these events are a great, and fun, place to start. Here’s what to expect.

JANUARY

Miami Jewish Film Festival

The popular South Florida event returns this month with more movies than ever. Billed as the world’s largest Jewish and Israeli film festival, MJFF will screen 139 movies, with 15 world premieres. There will be 90 opportunities for live screenings throughout the Miami area, as well as online programming. It kicks off on Jan. 14 with the film “Once Upon My Mother” at the Miami Beach Bandshell.

WHEN: Jan. 14-29

WHERE: Venues throughout Miami-Dade County

COST: Individual virtual tickets are $11 and all-access virtual passes are $249; Individual in-person tickets vary by film and all-access theater passes are $350

INFORMATION: 305-503-5182; miamijewishfilmfestival.org

Levis JCC Sandler Center performances

The Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center in Boca Raton is hosting an array of live performances, including the Con Brio Quartet playing classical works on Jan. 15. Singer Susan Winter follows on Jan. 22, presenting “This Thing Called Love,” which features classics from the Great American Songbook and new contemporary music. On Jan. 29, Rachel Matz Hunter will perform hits honoring “the dynamic, spirited, and heartfelt roles and songs created by Jewish composers and lyricists for the leading ladies of Broadway.” Shows continue through the end of March.

WHEN: January shows are set for 7:30 p.m. Thursdays

WHERE: Adolph & Rose Levis JCC Sandler Center, 21050 95th Ave. S., Boca Raton

COST: $40

INFORMATION: levisjcc.org/culture/performingarts

South Florida Runs for Israel 5k

Held in Boca Raton, this run benefits Save a Farm, a program that distributes funds to Israeli farms affected by the war. The event will also feature a family friendly 1-mile race, along with children’s activities, food and music.

WHEN: 9 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 18 (packet pickup starts at 8 a.m.)

WHERE: Spanish River Athletic Park, 1000 Spanish River Blvd., Boca Raton

COST: $36 to register; registrants are required to raise $360 per household

INFORMATION: saveafarmfund.org/run

2026 MLK Day of Service

Help out in a variety of ways during this year’s MLK Day of Service, hosted by the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County’s Kohl Jewish Volunteer Center and Palm Beach Atlantic University. Help weed and plant at Busch Wildlife Sanctuary in Jupiter, or assemble care packages as part of the Tikvah Jewish Care and Support Program in West Palm Beach. Opportunities are filling up fast, so register quickly.

WHEN: 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19

WHERE: Multiple locations

COST: Free

INFORMATION: jewishpb.org/mlk26

Repair the World Miami MLK Day of Service

The nonprofit Repair the World is hosting an MLK Day of Service for those who live closer to Miami. Help garden at a farm, or pack meals for local families in need.

WHEN: 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19

WHERE: Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 301 NW Ninth St., Miami

COST: Free

INFORMATION: werepair.org/get-involved/volunteer

Pop Up Shabbat for young professionals

Join other 20- and 30-somethings for an anything-but-traditional Shabbat dinner. Hosted by Miami Jews, the kosher-style buffet dinner starts with lighting candles and blessings over the challah and wine, and continues with a night of mingling, sipping cocktails, and getting to know other young Jews.

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23

WHERE: Happy Wine In The Grove, 2833 Bird Ave., Miami

COST: $36

INFORMATION: miamijews.com

The Donald M. Ephraim Sun & Stars International Film Festival

The Palm Beach County-based film festival is returning for its fourth season. This year, the festival is premiering five Jewish-themed films, all showing at the Kravis Center’s Rinker Playhouse in West Palm Beach. The films include “Dead Language,” an expansion of an Oscar-nominated short that takes place in Tel Aviv, and “The Pianist’s Choice,” a World War II drama. The festival continues through Friday, Feb. 6, with other movies showing at Hooky Entertainment Delray Beach and Glazer Hall in Palm Beach.

WHEN: Jan. 25-29 for Jewish-themed films; through Feb. 6 for the full festival

WHERE: Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach

COST: $15 per film

INFORMATION: sasiff.org

Jewish Grandparents Network’s Learning Fest 2026

Grandparents can join together virtually for a day of learning and connection. Topics include bringing Judaism into the lives of grandchildren and discussing Israel with family. Last day to register is Monday, Jan. 19.

WHEN: 3-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27

WHERE: Virtual

COST: $36

INFORMATION: jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org

God & The Holocaust: A Memorial Concert with Avi Hoffman & Aaron Kula

Alongside the Klezmer Company Jazz Orchestra, performer Avi Hoffman and maestro Aaron Kula will perform Holocaust-born music and literature, as well as melodies and poems from Jewish and Yiddish creators.

WHEN: 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27

WHERE: Broward Center for Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale

COST: Tickets start at $43.07

INFORMATION: browardcenter.org

FEBRUARY

Youth Renewal Fund Pickleball Event

This third annual event, presented by the Jewish Federation of Broward County, offers an afternoon of pickleball to support the Darca Schools in Israel.

WHEN: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1

WHERE: The Fort, 891 SW 34th St., Fort Lauderdale

COST: $150 per player

INFORMATION: 305-310-5507; jewishbroward.org/event

Ultimate Nite Out 2026

Another event from the Jewish Federation of Broward County, Ultimate Nite Out features actors Jonah Platt and Debra Messing, plus a performance by Eurovision star TALI. Registration ends Wednesday, Jan. 28.

WHEN: 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3

WHERE: Downtown Fort Lauderdale (address provided upon registration)

COST: $180 a person

INFORMATION: jewishbroward.org/event

Comedy Night at The Hub featuring Michael Rapaport

A comedian known for his support of Israel and the Jewish people, Michael Rapaport is coming to South Florida for a night of laughter.

WHEN: 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3

WHERE: Frankel Family Performing Arts Center, The Hub at Temple Beth Am, 5950 N. Kendall Drive, Pinecrest

COST: $49-$79

INFORMATION: 305-667-6667; jewishmiami.org/events/calendar

Senior Health and Wellness Expo

Hosted by Jewish Family Home Care, in partnership with the David Posnack Jewish Community Center’s Special Services team, this Senior Health and Wellness Expo will allow seniors to explore local resources. There will also be demonstrations, activities such as chair yoga and brain games, free giveaways and more.

WHEN: 10 a.m.-noon Friday, Feb. 6

WHERE: JCC’s Orlove Auditorium, 5850 S. Pine Island Road, Davie

COST: Free

INFORMATION: Facebook.com/jewishfamilyhomecare

Judy Levis Krug Boca Raton Jewish Film Festival

The 10th anniversary of this event will feature Jewish and Israeli films screening at Movies of Delray. The lineup is scheduled to be revealed on Jan. 21, with a second reveal planned for Jan. 28.

WHEN: Feb. 7-22

WHERE: Movies of Delray, 7421 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach

COST: $14 single tickets; $360 All Access Pass; 10-film and five-film passes also available

INFORMATION: levisjcc.org/filmfestival

Pathways to Parenthood

The Jewish Fertility Foundation of South Florida, which serves residents in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, is hosting this event for those looking to enter into parenthood. A panel of experts will discuss a variety of topics and provide resources and community information.

WHEN: 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17

WHERE: David Posnack Jewish Community Center, 5850 S. Pine Island Road, Davie

COST: Free

INFORMATION: jewishbroward.org/event

‘Speaking Up in Every Key’

Featuring Broadway stars Seth Rudetsky, Lillias White and Arielle Jacobs, this event is presented by The Overlap, a cultural arts program through the David Posnack Jewish Community Center that aims to promote diversity through entertainment. It will also feature a special performance by the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida.

WHEN: 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22

WHERE: Miramar Cultural Center, 2400 Civic Center Place

COST: $25.54-$140.89

INFORMATION: dpjcc.org/seth

22nd Annual No Excuse for Abuse

Ferd & Gladys Alpert Jewish Family Service of Palm Beach County will host the 22nd Annual No Excuse for Abuse event, which helps fundraise for services such as mental health counseling, food-insecurity support and psychiatric care. Broadway star Mandy Gonzalez, known for her roles in “Hamilton,” “Wicked” and “In the Heights,” is the headliner.

WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25

WHERE: Kravis Center for the Performing Arts’ Cohen Pavilion, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach

COST: $325 a person

INFORMATION: alpertjfs.org

Your neighbors have stories to tell.

Some are hoping to teach you something, while others are just aiming for a laugh or offering a way to escape for a few hours.

From do-it-yourself memory books to Jewish-themed children’s books, here are reads by South Florida Jewish authors. Many of these are self-published. All are available through Amazon.com, and some can also be found at retailers such as Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million and Target.

‘And Then There Was You‘ by Jay Weiss (Dandy Publishing; $24.89)

What it’s about: A Catholic celebrity is on doctor’s orders to take a vacation away from his stressful life. To avoid being recognized, he goes to a summer lake community populated by strict Orthodox Jews, where they don’t know who he is. What he doesn’t expect is for his vacation to turn his world upside down.

Local spin: In addition to writing, Jay Weiss owns a family tour company with his brother, specializing in trips to Israel and Europe. When he isn’t traveling, he spends much of his time in Boca Raton.

What the author has to say: “It’s a book that Jews from a variety of backgrounds [will] find extremely interesting.”

‘Renaissance Man‘ by Michael Neil Isaacson (ECM Publishing; $29.99)

What it’s about: A Jewish journalist is asked to profile a man his own age, who is reported to be a “Renaissance Man.” It explores what that means today and how one can emulate his approach to life.

Local spin: Michael Neil Isaacson lives in Boynton Beach. He is a regular contributor to the Florida Jewish Journal as well as other local publications.

What the author has to say: “[This book] challenges our understanding of celebrating Jewish and non-Jewish values in contemporary urban America.”

‘Malice in Wonderland‘ by Alvin Wander (BookLocker.com; $19.95)

What it’s about: A collection of six stories, “Malice in Wonderland” dives into feelings of intrigue, suspense and tension. From a horrific account of an asteroid hitting Earth to an evil AI computer capable of designing deadly activities, readers will face the dark and mysterious corners of the human experience.

Local spin: Alvin Wander, 91, is a Lake Worth Beach resident and former Florida Atlantic University faculty member. This is his sixth book.

What the author has to say: “When I started writing ‘Malice,’ I wanted to turn the mirror back on fantasy. Not to shatter it, but to show the cracks.”

‘Fundraising Insights for Nonprofits‘ by Norman B. Gildin (BookBaby; $34.31)

What it’s about: Norman B. Gildin, who spent 45 years in the nonprofit sector, offers advice for nonprofit professionals and their organizations. Topics include how to raise money, building stronger donor relationships and avoiding common pitfalls.

Local spin: Gildin, of Boynton Beach, dedicated this book to the victims of the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre and to a number of Holocaust survivors cited in the book.

What the author has to say: “I wrote this book to share real-world lessons from decades in fundraising; to help nonprofit professionals avoid costly mistakes; and to support nonprofit organizations with practical tools that actually work.”

‘My Kids Are All Grown Up, So Why Are They Still Driving Me Crazy?‘ by Bea Lewis (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; $14.99)

What it’s about: Bea Lewis outlines ways to deal with new, and often confusing, parenting issues. Topics include learning the difference between helping or enabling when adult children ask for financial help and coping if they move.

Local spin: Lewis penned a weekly advice column about parent/adult child relationships for The Palm Beach Post for six years. She now resides in an independent senior living community in Wellington.

What the author has to say: “I wanted to know how to deal with the often-confusing issues I was having with my adult children. My peer group was facing similar issues with few places to turn to. And now, years later, when my kids don’t want any advice I offer, they suggest I read certain chapters of my book and leave them alone!”

‘Golem Loves Latkes: A Tasty Hanukkah Tale‘ by Doreen Klein Robinson; illustrated by Anna Krajewska (Intergalactic Afikoman; $18.91)

What it’s about: This children’s book takes readers to a town where locals are split between eating latkes with apple sauce or sour cream. There’s a golem brought to life in the midst of it, and the underlying theme of togetherness is weaved throughout as the townspeople learn to celebrate Hanukkah together. The book is geared toward kids age 3 to 10.

Local spin: Born in New York, Doreen Klein Robinson moved to South Florida with her family at age 4. She considers herself practically a native.

What the author has to say: “I am so happy to have Golem out in the world! I think readers of all ages (and all faiths) will adore the town of Schmoozeville and the fun characters that live there. The illustrations by Anna Krajewska make me wish I could jump right into the book!”

‘Great Grandmother Remembers: An Heirloom Treasury of Memories’ by Judith Levy (G Editions; $20)

What it’s about: A guided book that provides prompts for great-grandmothers to record memories, moments and stories for their great-grandchildren. This new addition is part of a series of memory books created by Levy.

Local spin: Boca Raton resident Judith Levy began her writing career in 1982 when she attended a course at Florida Atlantic University. She currently writes columns for the Florida Jewish Journal.

What the author has to say: “The illustrations in this book by Noelle Giddings are beautiful, and what I wrote came from my heart. But the magic in ‘Great Grandmother Remembers’ will be what the [person] writes to their great-grandchild.”

‘Edge: A Detective Harriet Foster Thriller’ by Tracy Clark; Thomas & Mercer; 332 pages; $16.99

“Edge” assumes various meanings in Tracy Clark’s superb fourth police procedural featuring Chicago police detective Harriet Foster.

Harriet is on the edge, worrying about her career as she is still a suspect in the murder of a corrupt cop who killed her police partner. She is forever on the edge, mourning the death of her intelligent son, a grief that will never go away. Chicago is on edge because of a new lethal designer drug whose victims have been those who are not drug addicts.

“Edge” also shows two families on edge. A cop must deal with the fact that his bright, seemingly innocent niece almost overdosed on Edge. The other is a longtime crime family who has ruled the South Side for generations, but is now fraying.

Clark pulls these plot tendrils into a cohesive story that delves deep into police investigations and the vagaries of Chicago.

On her day off, Harriet sees two teenagers who have overdosed in a locked city park. The boy has died; the girl is barely alive. Harriet reaches the ambulance in time to save 19-year-old college student Ella Byrne. Ella, who has never been in trouble before, is the niece of Harriet’s colleague, detective Matt Kelley.

Ella lives, but this is the start of a series of fatalities that will include a new mother and a group of blue-collar drinking buddies. Edge is being produced by the Gamons crime family, who have been losing their power. A drug that kills its customers isn’t good for business.

Harriet and the squad intensify their investigation into the origins of Edge, but they also must keep an eye on Matt, who tries to take over. Matt has been told that his involvement is a conflict of interest and that he cannot be objective. The detectives balance reigning in Matt with trying to stop Edge.

Clark delivers a gripping police procedural that is wide in scope but very centered on her core characters. The dynamic among the multiracial police squad and Harriet, who is Black, adds to the plot.

Chicago’s DNA permeates “Edge,” as Clark takes the reader to various neighborhoods, from the upscale to those in transition.

Crisp dialogue punctuates the story as Clark richly shows how people actually talk to each other, from the police colleagues to families in distress. Clark balances serious conversations with wry humor, which is how people often deal with stress.

Clark continues to shape Harriet, whose ongoing grief is a part of her soul. Her professionalism and intelligence further enhance “Edge.”

Meet the author

I will be moderating a discussion with Tracy Clark as part of the Palm Beach County Library System’s Writers LIVE! program at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, at the Hagen Ranch Road Library, 14350 Hagen Ranch Road, Delray Beach. The event is free, but registration is required. Visit pbclibrary.org/writers-live or call 561-894-7500.

Did you partake in Chinese takeout over the holidays? Was passing containers of lo mein, honey garlic chicken and beef and broccoli around the table part of your annual tradition?

If so, you’re in good company. It’s a popular choice for many amid the hustle and bustle of the season — whether you just don’t feel like cooking or you’re looking for a meal on Christmas Day when many restaurants close. Plus, it’s a convenient and tasty option for any other day of the year!

For our Best of South Florida Dining series, we asked you, our readers, to share your top picks for the best Chinese takeout spots in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties. The nomination round yielded these top five finalists (in alphabetical order):

• Bamboo Wok (Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Coconut Creek)
• Hong Kong City BBQ (Tamarac)
• Lotus Chinese Kitchen (Fort Lauderdale)
• SunRice Chinese Restaurant (Fort Lauderdale)
• Wan’s (Fort Lauderdale)

We collected your votes during the week before Christmas while visions of egg rolls, fried rice and wonton soup danced in our heads. And now, we have our winner … Bamboo Wok!

If you’ve never been, this family run place is a must-try, according to its many fans, who voted it No. 1 for satisfying their Chinese takeout food cravings.

THE RESPONSE

“It’s honestly a huge honor, and we are so happy about it,” said Steve Zheng, who manages the Boynton Beach location. “It really put some weight behind all the effort that we’ve put forth over these past 20 to 25 years to ensure that we were able to serve our community.”

Recently, he saw firsthand “how incredible and rewarding it is to be able to serve so many people and so many families throughout the holidays,” he said, which is “historically the busiest time of the year for the restaurants.”

His cousins came from California and Illinois to jump in and help, Zheng said.

“I truly think that a good part of our success is due to the fact that we have such good backing from the family,” he said. “They all come back and take time to help out during the busy season so that we can properly serve everybody.

“Because at the end of the day, this is a very special time for us, and it’s also a very special time for everyone else. We want to be able to provide food for everybody without reducing the quality of food, without having to cut corners.”

THE HISTORY

After working at Zheng’s uncles’ Long Island restaurant for several years in the 1990s, the Liu siblings — Lin, Cynthia, Louis and Tina (Zheng’s mother) — moved to South Florida in 2001. That’s when Lin Liu opened Bamboo Wok in Boca Raton, serving a menu of dishes influenced by New York-style Chinese takeout.

Louis Liu started the Coconut Creek location a couple of years later, followed by Cynthia and Tina with the Boynton Beach spot several years after that.

“We did take a little bit of time to scout out locations, but we also didn’t want to compete with each other,” Zheng said. “We wanted to be within proximity but not also overlap. And that’s why you see the restaurants built from Coconut Creek to Boca to Boynton.”

While there’s no talk right now about opening other restaurants, he said there’s potential for that in the future.

THE FOOD

The Lius started with the same menu at each location, adjusting items over the years to accommodate their customers’ preferences, Zheng said.

You’ll find all the familiar favorites, such as General Tso’s chicken, chow mein, egg foo young, sweet and sour pork, as well as BBQ spare ribs, egg rolls, dumplings (steamed or pan-fried), wonton and egg drop soups and fried rice, available as lunch and dinner specials.

There’s also a selection of house specialties and a diet menu with steamed meats and vegetables (New Year’s resolution, anyone?).

“We take a lot of effort to ensure consistency within our food and also to just maintain the core concepts that we brought down,” Zheng said. “We came down with an understanding that if we do things properly, the way that they were taught to my uncles to do whenever they were training, and we use quality ingredients, provide good customer service, that’s really all there is to it, right? To create good cuisine.”

They stick to the basics, he said, but have refined their recipes through the years to ensure keeping up with the times and customers’ changing taste preferences.

With fresh, raw meats and vegetables used to prepare everything in-house, Zheng said it’s a scratch kitchen behind the scenes at every Bamboo Wok location. The only frozen item they use is shrimp.

“It’s quite honestly a labor of love,” he said. “I’ve been working in the kitchen for the past year in the back, and it takes a lot of effort to make these things, to create the dish.”

The sauces? Well, that’s where Zheng said Bamboo Wok really stands out. Each one takes a couple of hours to prepare and then they marinate over three to four days before being served.

“That way it really captures the full assets of the flavor that we want to imbue in the food,” Zheng said. “We do take a ton of time to make these sauces, to make sure they’re consistent and perfect every single time.”

They come in an hour before the restaurant opens to start cooking the soups and chopping vegetables, and they make their own egg rolls in-house every few days.

“We understand is it is very time-intensive and labor-intensive, but those are corners that we feel as a family cannot be cut in order to maintain the quality of the food,” he said.

Sesame chicken is one of their most popular dishes, and fried crab rangoon is tops among appetizers, but Zheng’s go-to order is the shrimp and garlic sauce.

“It’s got a nice tinge of sweet tangy to it as well, and we do add a little bit of spice,” he said. “It’s a good blend.”

How about the fried rice, the must-have side for any Chinese takeout order?

“Our pork fried rice, we’ve been doing it the same pretty much for 25 years now,” Zheng said. “We take raw pork and we roast it over several hours to turn into that nice roast pork and then we cut it up and we use that for fried rice.”

WHAT FANS SAID

Bamboo Wok fans singled out several dishes in their nominations, including the orange beef and chicken, sweet and sour chicken, General Tso’s chicken and Hunan beef.

Among the best appetizers receiving nods were spring rolls and crab rangoon, which Boca Raton resident Rachel Mikulinsky described in her nomination form as “stuffed with filling, so creamy and yummy. And cheap!”

Delray Beach resident Richard Pachter told us in his nomination form that he orders steamed vegetable dumplings and fried rice for lunch or dinner.

“All the usual Chinese American favorites are expertly prepared,” he wrote. “They’ve been consistent for several decades now. Excellent family-run business.”

Chicken and broccoli is Boca Raton resident Stacy Lamont’s go-to order for lunch or dinner, according to her nomination.

Her appetizer of choice?

“Bone-in spare ribs, nice and sticky cooked to perfection,” she wrote. “Their food just has the best flavor; always spot on, never any issues.”

Bamboo Wok has three locations: 9181 Glades Road, Boca Raton; 12040 S. Jog Road, Boynton Beach; and 4660 W. Hillsboro Blvd., Coconut Creek. Visit bamboowok.com.

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By JAKE COYLE

It plays a little loose with facts but the righteous rage of “Dog Day Afternoon” is present enough in Gus Van Sant’s “Dead Man’s Wire,” a based-on-a-true-tale hostage thriller that’s as deeply 1970s as it is contemporary.

In February 1977, Tony Kiritsis walked into the Meridian Mortgage Company in downtown Indianapolis and took one of its executives, Dick Hall, hostage. Kiritsis held a sawed-off shotgun to the back of Hall’s head and draped a wire around his neck that connected to the gun. If he moved too much, he would die.

The subsequent standoff moved to Kiritsis’ apartment and eventually concluded in a live televised news conference. The whole ordeal received some renewed attention in a 2022 podcast dramatization starring Jon Hamm.

But in “Dead Man’s Wire,” starring Bill Skarsgård as Kiritsis, these events are vividly brought to life by Van Sant. It’s been seven years since Van Sant directed, following 2018’s “Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot,” and one of the prevailing takeaways of his new film is that that’s too long of a break for a filmmaker of Van Sant’s caliber.

Working from a script by Austin Kolodney, the filmmaker of “My Own Private Idaho” and “Good Will Hunting” turns “Dead Man’s Wire” into not a period-piece time capsule but a bracingly relevant drama of outrage and inequality. Tony feels aggrieved by his mortgage company over a land deal the bank, he claims, blocked. We’re never given many specifics, but at the same time, there’s little doubt in “Dead Man’s Wire” that Tony’s cause is just. His means might be desperate and abhorrent, but the movie is very definitely on his side.

That’s owed significantly to Skarsgård, who gives one of his finest and least adorned performances. While best known for films like “It,” “The Crow” and “Nosferatu,” here Skarsgård has little more than some green polyester and a very ’70s mustache to alter his looks. The straightforward, jittery intensity of his performance propels “Dead Man’s Wire.”

Yet Van Sant’s film aspires to be a larger ensemble drama, which it only partially succeeds at. Tony’s plight is far from a solitary one, as numerous threads suggest in Kolodney’s fast-paced script. First and foremost is Colman Domingo as a local DJ named Fred Temple. (If ever there were an actor suited, with a smooth baritone, to play a ’70s radio DJ, it’s Domingo.) Tony, a fan, calls Fred to air his demands. But it’s not just a media outlet for him. Fred touts himself as “the voice of the people.”

Something similar could be said of Tony, who rapidly emerges as a kind of folk hero. As much as he tortures his hostage (a very good Dacre Montgomery), he’s kind to the police officers surrounding him. And as he and Dick spend more time together, Dick emerges as a kind of victim, himself. It’s his father’s bank, and when Tony gets M.L. Hall (Al Pacino) on the phone, he sounds painfully insensitive, sooner ready to sacrifice his son than acknowledge any wrongdoing.

Pacino’s presence in “Dead Man’s Wire” is a nod to “Dog Day Afternoon,” a movie that may be far better — but, then again, that’s true of most films in comparison to Sidney Lumet’s unsurpassed 1975 classic. Still, Van Sant’s film bears some of the same rage and disillusionment with the meatgrinder of capitalism as “Dog Day.”

There’s also a telling, if not entirely successful subplot of a local TV news reporter (Myha’la) struggling against stereotypes. Even when she gets the goods on the unspooling news story, the way her producer says to “chop it up” and put it on air makes it clear: Whatever Tony is rebelling against, it’s him, not his plight, that will be served up on a prime-time plate.

It doesn’t take recent similar cases of national fascination, such as Luigi Mangione, charged with killing a healthcare executive, to see contemporary echoes of Kiritsis’ tale. The real story is more complicated and less metaphor-ready, of course, than the movie, which detracts some from the film’s gritty sense of verisimilitude. Staying closer to the truth might have produced a more dynamic movie.

But “Dead Man’s Wire” still works. In the film, Tony’s demands are $5 million and an apology. It’s clear the latter means more to him than the money. The tragedy in “Dead Man’s Wire” is just how elusive “I’m sorry” can be.

“Dead Man’s Wire,” a Row K Entertainment release, is rated R for language throughout. Running time: 105 minutes. Three stars out of four.

The outer bands of baseball season arrive this weekend, and not a moment too soon. In its grace and pace and tradition, baseball has always been a balm in moments of uncertainty. Or, as James Earl Jones’ character put it in “Field of Dreams”:

“The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers … but baseball has marked the time. This field, this game — it’s a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good, and it could be again.”

At CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach — spring training home of the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals — an annual job fair will take place on Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. They are looking to fill a variety of spring training positions, from ushers and batboys to retail staff and in-game entertainment. I am dusting off my kazoo.

The Astros and Nationals also just announced that single-game spring training tickets are now on sale. The two teams will start the season against each other at CACTI Park on Feb. 21. For information on the job fair and spring training, visit Facebook.com/CACTIParkPB.

Meanwhile, minor-league teams the Palm Beach Cardinals (St. Louis Cardinals affiliate) and the Jupiter Hammerheads (Miami Marlins) will co-host their annual Fan Fest on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, the ballpark they share in Jupiter.

As you may have heard, the Cardinals will use Fan Fest to introduce an alter ego for the upcoming season, the Palm Beach Frozen Iguanas. And the Hammerheads will host Marlins manager Clayton McCullough for pictures and autographs after 12:30 p.m. Fan Fest admission is free. Visit Facebook.com/rogerdeanchevroletstadium.

No word yet on single-game tickets for spring training games with the Marlins and Cardinals at Roger Dean. Get updates at Marlins.com and Cardinals.com.

THURSDAY

A mob hit: The touring production of the Tony-winning, Broadway song-and-dance caper “Some Like It Hot” will continue its run at the Kravis Center in downtown West Palm Beach through the weekend. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets start at $46. Visit Kravis.org.

Wine nights: The Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale kicks off its boundary-defying Off Center series on Thursday with “In Pour Taste: A Comedy Wine Tasting Experience,” featuring Australian comedians Sweeney Preston and Ethan Cavanagh. A hit from New York to Toronto and Las Vegas, the evening includes a wine expert guiding the audience seated at tables through five tastings while Preston and Cavanagh make fun of words like “oenophile.” Shows will take place through Jan. 25, with this weekend’s performances at 8 p.m. Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Friday, 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and 4 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Tickets start at $112.10 and include five tastings and a personal charcuterie board (vegetarian and alcohol-free options available). Visit BrowardCenter.org.

Dating game: The Fort Lauderdale Improv in Dania Beach on Thursday will host the viral series “UpDating,” a New York-based live dating and comedy show that puts two singles on a blindfolded first date in front of the audience for laughs and raw reveals (uh-oh). Featuring its creators, comedians Brandon Berman and Harrison Forman, the show will go on at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Tickets cost $31.90 at ImprovFTL.com.

New lunch spot: Ocean Prime in Fort Lauderdale has launched a new weekday lunch service from noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Intracoastal restaurant (The prettiest waterfront dining spot to debut in South Florida in 2025? Discuss.) offers a refined lunch hour, to be sure. Specialties range from Sea Scallops (with Parmesan risotto, English peas, citrus vinaigrette; $39) to Crispy Buttermilk Chicken Sandwich (layered with Bibb lettuce, beefsteak tomato, avocado, spicy mayonnaise; $24) and Sushi and Salad (spicy rainbow roll, romaine, toasted garlic, wasabi dressing; $27). I’m also looking at the Sakura Wagyu Cheeseburger (with Camembert cheese, red onion jam, Dijon aioli and spiced dill pickles; $24). Did I mention the great view? Visit Ocean-Prime.com.

C’mon, get happy:  Camille’s Pizzeria & Ristorante in Oakland Park will kick off a new happy hour on Thursday with an event hosted by former South Florida Sun Sentinel restaurant reviewer Mike Mayo, host of the weekday streaming show “Mike Mayo’s Lunchbox.” Taking place from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday (the restaurant is closed Tuesdays), Camille’s will offer three dishes for $20 from a Happy Hour menu that includes Meat & Cheese, Fried Calamari (with zucchini and cherry peppers), Mussels (with toasted garlic and crispy pepperoni), Whipped Ricotta (with warm bread and spices), Chicken Wings (with an Aperol Calabrian glaze) and Meatballs. Beverages will include $7 specialty cocktails, $8 martinis, $6 house wines and $4 domestic beer. Thursday’s event from 4:30 to 6 p.m. will include an auction for a dinner for two at Camille’s with Mayo. Proceeds will benefit Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. Visit Facebook.com/camillesfortlauderdale.

FRIDAY

Rock classics: Kansas will bring old-school karaoke anthems such as “Dust in the Wind,” “Carry On Wayward Son” and “Point of Know Return” to the Pompano Beach Amphitheater on Friday at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $55.66. Visit PompanoBeachArts.org.

Youthful energy: Ailey II: The Next Generation of Dance brings young performers from the renowned company founded by the legendary Alvin Ailey more than 50 years ago to the Arsht Center in Miami on Friday at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $40.95 at ArshtCenter.org.

Weekend laughs: Veteran film and TV actor and comedian Rob Schneider will be at the Fort Lauderdale Improv in Dania Beach for shows at 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday, 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, and 6 p.m. Sunday. Tickets start at $51.90 at ImprovFTL.com. … Comedian Tom Cotter (as seen on “America’s Got Talent,” “The Tonight Show” and “The Howard Stern Show”) will perform at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center on Friday at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $53.10. Visit AventuraCenter.org.

Don’t take the kids: Paranormal Cirque Nightmare is part circus, part cabaret — saucy and spooky with skimpy costumes — under a black-and-white striped tent that will be set up at Miramar Regional Park on Friday through Jan. 19. Tickets start at $30, $20 for youths ages 13-17 accompanied by an adult. Visit ParanormalCirque.com.

Take the kids: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey brings “The Greatest Show On Earth” to South Florida with performances Friday through Sunday at Miami’s Kaseya Center, then Jan. 23-25 at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise. These performances by the 150-year-old troupe have been “reimagined for a new generation,” with animals replaced by music and high-flying stunts by more than 60 circus performers from 17 countries. Tickets for Kaseya Center performances start at $38.35 at Ticketmaster.com. Amerant Bank Arena tickets start at $38 at Seatgeek.com.

SATURDAY

Starting over: Country star Chris Stapleton finally comes to Hard Rock Live in Hollywood for two shows originally scheduled for last October and postponed due to a bout of bronchitis. Good luck finding tickets for the Saturday and Sunday shows under $400, resale or otherwise. For updates, visit MyHRL.com.

Big “Blue”: New World Symphony presents Gershwin’s masterpiece “Rhapsody in Blue” as interpreted by the acclaimed Marcus Roberts Trio and conductor Andrew Grams at Miami‘s Arsht Center on Saturday at 8 p.m. The program will include Duke Ellington’s jazz symphony about the history of Black Americans, “Black, Brown and Beige,” as well as Ellington’s treatment of Tchaikovsky’s Suite from “The Nutcracker,” and Darius Milhaud’s “La Creation du Monde,” inspired by African legend about the creation of the world. Tickets start at $40.95 at ArshtCenter.org.

All that jazz: One of the highlights of this weekend’s 10th annual South Beach Jazz Festival, the three-time, Grammy-winning Spanish Harlem Orchestra will perform at the Miami Beach Bandshell on Saturday at 8 p.m., joined by acclaimed trumpeter Etienne Charles. Tickets start at $44.29. For tickets and information on other SBJF performances, visit SoBeJazzFestival.com.

Saturday laughs: Jamaican-born comedian Dale Elliott Jr. brings his Son of an Immigrant World Tour to The Parker in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $42.19. Visit ParkerPlayhouse.com. … Irish writer, comedian and “mildly confused immigrant” David Nihill will perform in the intimate Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale at 7:30 p.m. Saturday on his Taking Tangents tour. Tickets start at $34.81. Visit BrowardCenter.org. … Comedian and former schoolteacher Eddie B will take his If These Classroom Walls Could Talk Tour to the Broward Center’s Au-Rene Theater on Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $43.66. Visit BrowardCenter.org.

Feeling crabby? The second annual Boca Raton Seafood Festival will return to Mizner Park Amphitheater on Saturday from noon to 8 p.m., with vendors, live music and competitions, including a crab cake-eating showdown. Entry is $10 in advance, $15 at the gate and free for kids age 9 and younger. Ticket four-packs cost $32 in advance, $45 at the gate. Visit MiznerAmp.com.

Dania dining: Dania After Dark’s Taste of Dania Beach will take place at City Hall Plaza on Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m., with food from more than a dozen local spots, kids’ activities and music from the Adam Uhlan Band and Coldplay tribute band Life in Technicolor. Admission and parking are free, as is shuttle service from The Casino at Dania Beach. Tasting Experience wristbands (good for unlimited food and drink samples) cost $40. Visit TasteOfDaniaBeach.com.

Saturday night live: Texas blues singer-guitarist Carolyn Wonderland will share music from her 2025 Dave Alvin-produced album, “Truth Is,” at The Funky Biscuit in Boca Raton on Saturday at 8 p.m. General-admission standing-room tickets cost $39.24, with some table seating still available. Visit FunkyBiscuit.com. … Local favorite Chris MacDonald and his band on Saturday bring the “Memories of Elvis Rockin’ Birthday Bash” to the Miniaci Performing Arts Center on the Nova Southeastern University campus in Davie. Tickets for the 7 p.m. show start at $44.11. Visit MiniaciPAC.com. … Local beach-funk band The People UpStairs will play at Mathews Brewing in Lake Worth Beach on Saturday at 8 p.m. Admission is free. Visit Facebook.com/thepeopleupstairs.

SUNDAY

Morning run: The 29th annual Dunn’s Run will take place on Sunday in Deerfield Beach to raise money for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County. Created by Jim Dunn of J.R. Dunn Jewelers and presented with support from Publix Charities and JM Family Enterprises, Dunn’s Run events begin at 7:30 a.m. at the Main Beach Parking Lot with a 5K run and 5K walk (advance registration $35), as well as a 5-mile run ($40). A Kids Fun Run (age 6 and younger) is set for 9 a.m. ($10). Visit DunnsRun.com.

Come on, let’s go: Celebrating 50 years of music, Mexican-American roots rock trailblazers Los Lobos (who released an excellent live album, “Across the Nation,” last summer) will play the Miniaci Performing Arts Center at NSU in Davie on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $76.70. Visit MiniaciPAC.com.

Last laughs: Israeli comedian Yohay Sponder brings his new show, “Self Loving Jew,” to The Parker in Fort Lauderdale at 5 and 8:30 p.m. Sunday, both sold out, and a just-added performance at 7:30 p.m. Monday. Tickets for that show are available, starting at $47.20. Visit ParkerPlayhouse.com.

Staff writer Ben Crandell can be reached at bcrandell@sunsentinel.com. Follow on IG: @BenCrandell. 

By JAKE COYLE, Associated Press

“One Battle After Another” dominated nominations to the Actor Awards on Wednesday, with Paul Thomas Anderson’s ragtag revolutionary saga landing a record seven nods in the annual SAG-AFTRA honors.

In the 31 years of the Actor Awards, formerly known as the SAG Awards, no movie has received more than five nominations. Along with a nod for the guild’s top award, best ensemble, the cast of “One Battle After Another” was showered with nominations for Leonardo DiCaprio, Chase Infiniti, Teyana Taylor, Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro and its stunt performers.

The four other nominees for best ensemble are: “Sinners,” “Hamnet,” “Marty Supreme” and “Frankenstein.” Usually, to win best picture at the Oscars, a movie needs a SAG ensemble nomination. Only four films in the last three decades have managed the feat without that. Among the films that missed the cut were “Sentimental Value,” “Wicked: For Good” and “Train Dreams.”

“Sinners” had an especially good result. Along with a best male actor nod for Michael B. Jordan, supporting actors Miles Canton and Wunmi Mosaku were both nominated.

Historically, the Actor Awards have been one of the strongest Oscar indicators. Actors make up the largest branch of the film academy, and, in the past, individual SAG nominees have overlapped with the Oscar field at a rate of roughly four out of five. The Actor Awards are presented by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).

That means the nominees Wednesday may closely resemble those headed to the Oscars. They are:

• Best male actor: DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet (“Marty Supreme”), Michael B. Jordan (“Sinners”), Ethan Hawke (“Blue Moon”) and Jesse Plemons (“Bugonia”)
• Best female actor: Infiniti, Jessie Buckley (“Hamnet”), Rose Byrne (“If I Had Legs I’d Kick You”), Kate Hudson (“Song Sung Blue”) and Emma Stone (“Bugonia”)
• Best supporting male actor: Del Toro, Penn, Canton, Jacob Elordi (“Frankenstein”) and Paul Mescal (“Hamnet”)
• Best supporting female actor: Taylor, Mosaku, Ariana Grande (“Wicked: For Good”), Amy Madigan (“Weapons”) and Odessa A’zion (“Marty Supreme”)

Snubbed altogether was Joachim Trier’s acclaimed Norwegian drama “Sentimental Value.” Both Renate Reinsve, in lead female actor, and Stellan Skarsgård, for supporting male actor, have been viewed as shoo-ins. Many analysts have considered Skarsgård the favorite to win. With more than 122,000 voting members, SAG-AFTRA has tended to skew more populist and the guild sometimes shies away from non-English language nominees.

The Actor Awards will take place Sunday, March 1, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Netflix will stream the ceremony live. Harrison Ford will be presented with the guild’s life achievement award.

A sea of colorful orchids showcased in artistically designed displays will fill the Charles F. Dodge City Center in Pembroke Pines this weekend for the Fort Lauderdale Orchid Society’s 66th Annual Show and Sale, “Orchid Magic.”

The nonprofit group, which is celebrating 75 years of bringing together orchid enthusiasts while providing educational opportunities and supporting conservation efforts, will haul in thousands of the delicate flowering plants from growing centers around the world.

“Our amazing show and sale will completely transform the Dodge City Center auditorium with fragrant, exotic blooms, along with elaborate vendor displays” from Friday through Sunday, show organizer Luanne Betz said.

Every year, the show has a new theme, and this time, Gretchen Denton, who serves on the board of trustees, found inspiration reading the comic novel, “Orchid Territory,” according to Fort Lauderdale Orchid Society member John Soto.

“The orchid displays are all inspired by the theme, so there will be references to ‘Orchid Magic’ within the designs,” he said.

Whether you’re a hobbyist or just want to ogle some eye-catching orchids, you can mingle with hybridizers and growers from Ecuador and Florida, including Soroa, Krull-Smith and Quest Orchids. But the orchids aren’t just pretty to look at: Sellers will have varieties available for purchase, along with gift items, books, orchid supplies, educational materials and free classes.

New this year is the Orchid Magic Online Auction, which is running simultaneously on the Fort Lauderdale Orchid Society’s website through Sunday and features items such as sports memorabilia, travel stays and a wine tasting for 20 people.

The annual show and sale is the Fort Lauderdale Orchid Society’s primary fundraiser. The group’s meetings, which are open to the public, take place at 7:30 p.m. the second Monday of each month at Christ Lutheran Church Social Hall, 1955 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.

“[This event] preserves orchid knowledge through the juried exhibits, free classes and expert growers on-site. It supports orchid conservation through the awareness of the Million Orchid Project and focusing on indigenous orchids.” said Soto, referring to the South Florida initiative to reintroduce native orchids.

“The orchid show is a very important event that sustains, educates and connects the orchid community in South Florida,”

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Fort Lauderdale Orchid Society’s 66th Annual Orchid Show and Sale

WHEN: 9-11 a.m. (VIP early shopping) and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (general admission) Friday, Jan. 9; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10; and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11

WHERE: Charles F. Dodge City Center, 601 City Center Way, Pembroke Pines

COST: $15 general admission; get $3 off by clicking the unlock button and using code SHOW26 at Ticketmaster.com; free entry for children younger than 12. VIP admission costs $40 at flos.org.

INFORMATION: flos.org

By ANDREW DALTON, AP Entertainment Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The high-profile private attorney for Nick Reiner was granted a request to be removed from his case Wednesday, but later told reporters that according to California law his client is not guilty of murder in the killing of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner.

“Circumstances beyond our control and more importantly circumstances beyond Nick’s control have dictated that, sadly, it’s made it impossible to continue our representation of Nick,” lawyer Alan Jackson said as he stood with his team outside a Los Angeles courthouse.

But, Jackson added, after weeks of investigation, “what we’ve learned, and you can take this to the bank, is that pursuant to the laws of this state, pursuant to the law of California, Nick Reiner is not guilty of murder. Print that.”

Jackson would not specify what he meant and took no questions at the brief news conference.

He spoke after a hearing where Nick Reiner was supposed to be arraigned and enter a plea to two charges of first-degree murder. Instead, after meeting with the Judge Theresa McGonigle in chambers, Jackson was replaced by a public defender and Reiner’s plea hearing was postponed to Feb. 23.

Alan Jackson can’t say why he has to quit case

Jackson said that for legal and ethical reasons, he could not reveal why he had to leave the case. He first appeared in court representing Reiner at a hearing a few days after the beloved actor-director and his wife of 36 years were found dead with stab wounds in their home in the upscale Brentwood section of Los Angeles. Jackson did not say how he was hired — or who hired him. Generally, defendants use public defenders when they can’t pay for a private attorney.

Jackson has become one of the most prominent defense attorneys in the nation in recent years after defending clients including Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey and Karen Read at her intensely followed trials in Massachusetts.

After the judge granted Jackson’s request to leave the case, Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene took over as Reiner’s attorney.

“The Public Defender’s Office recognizes what an unimaginable tragedy this is for the Reiner family and the Los Angeles community,” Deputy Public Defender Ricardo D. Garcia said in a rare public statement on a case from the office. “Our hearts go out to the Reiner family as they navigate this difficult time. We ask for your patience and compassion as the case moves through the legal process.”

Nick Reiner appears in jail clothes, without suicide prevention smock

During Wednesday’s hearing, Reiner stood behind glass in a custody area of the courtroom wearing brown jail garb and with his hair shaved. Two deputies stood behind him. Jackson and his team stood in front of him on the other side of the glass. At one point, Reiner stood on his tiptoes to peer over the lawyers’ heads to look at the audience. He spoke only to agree to the delayed arraignment.

McGonigle approved the use of cameras inside the courtroom but said pictures could not be taken of the defendant. At Wednesday’s hearing, Reiner did not wear the suicide prevention smock he had on at his initial court appearance on Dec. 17.

Reiner, 32, the third of Rob Reiner’s four children, has been held without bail since his arrest hours after his parents were found dead on Dec. 14.

A Reiner family spokesperson said in a statement after Wednesday’s hearing that “They have the utmost trust in the legal process and will not comment further on matters related to the legal proceedings.”

Jackson says he ‘dropped everything’ to represent Reiner

Jackson, a former LA County prosecutor, had given no indication of the plans for his defense.

He said that just hours after Nick Reiner’s arrest, he and his team got a call about representing him. He did not say who called him.

“We dropped everything,” Jackson said. “For the last three weeks, we have devoted literally every waking hour to protecting Nick and his interests. We’ve investigated this matter top to bottom, back to front.”

He said they remain “deeply, deeply committed” to him and said, “We’re not just convinced; we know that the legal process will reveal the true facts.”

Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 70, were killed early on the morning of Dec. 14, and they were found in the late afternoon, authorities said. The LA County Medical Examiner said in initial findings that they died from “multiple sharp force injuries,” but released no other details, and police have said nothing about possible motives.

Prosecutors have said they have not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty for Nick Reiner.

Rob Reiner was a prolific director whose work included some of the most memorable and endlessly watchable movies of the 1980s and ’90s. His credits included “This is Spinal Tap,” “Stand By Me,” “A Few Good Men,” and “When Harry Met Sally…,” during whose production he met Michele Singer, a photographer, and married her soon after.

A decade ago, Nick Reiner publicly discussed his struggles with addiction and mental health after making a movie with his father, “Being Charlie,” that was very loosely based on their lives.

Correction: This story has been corrected to reflect that Nick Reiner is the third of Rob Reiner’s four children, not the youngest.