Ari'el Stachel's Powerful One-Man Show Explores Identity, Mental Health Struggles

In November 2025, acclaimed actor Ari'el Stachel is captivating audiences with his powerful one-man play "Other," which offers a raw, honest look at his lifelong battle with racial identity and mental health challenges. Growing up in progressive Berkeley, California, Stachel, now 34, faced taunts and discrimination from his Jewish schoolmates due to his darker skin and Middle Eastern-sounding surname.

Desperate to fit in, Stachel tried to pass as white as a child, even changing his name and hairstyle. By age 12, his complexion had darkened, and he began passing as Black through several school transfers and into adulthood. Stachel's autobiographical play, which he started writing seven years ago, lays bare the personal frailties and anxieties he experienced during this charade, including a debilitating anxiety disorder.

Since premiering last month, "Other" has been attracting diverse, engaged audiences who feel "seen" by Stachel's courageous storytelling. Audience members often gather after the show to share their own "othered" experiences, sometimes directly with Stachel himself. The play's producer, Broadway veteran LaChanze, is now gearing it for a potential Broadway transfer, recognizing the importance of creating commercial theater that is inviting for young, diverse adults.