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SHLEMIEL THE FIRST

DECEMBER 13 - 31

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REVIEWS AND VIDEO

SPECIAL TALKBACK SESSIONS

December 18
A post-performance discussion with director/choreographer David Gordon and musical director, Zalmen Mlotek, moderated by Theatre for a New Audience’s founding artistic director, Jeffrey Horowitz.

December 22
A post-performance discussion with an inter-generational panel of NYU alumni who have worked, or are currently working in Yiddish Theatre, on Yiddish theatrical traditions and its cross-generational appeal. Hosted by Bryna Wasserman (SOA '74), Executive Director and Mattew "Motl" Didner (TSOA '95), Associate Artistic Director of the National Yiddish Theatre - Folksbiene.

December 27
A post-performance talkback with theatre critic, producer, playwright and educator, Robert Brustein who conceived and adapted Shlemiel the First from its source material. Jeffrey Horowitz will moderate.

In the town of Chelm, a village of fools, the naive beadle Shlemiel is sent on a pilgrimage to spread the wisdom of the local sages. His simple-minded folly turns an already absurd world hilariously, and redemptively, upside down. Half sad-sack clown, half accidental messiah, Shlemiel’s charm is in his childlike innocence, and the charm of this musical is in its playfulness and unapologetic, unalloyed delight. With a cast of eight, a live klezmer band and topsy-turvy set, it gently mocks the lavishness of other musicals. As John Lahr said “Shlemiel is busting its buttons with joy.”

Shlemiel the First, a joyous klezmer musical, received rave reviews after premiering in 1994 at the American Repertory Theatre and went on to delight audiences nationwide, including Serious Fun! at Lincoln Center among other prestigious venues.

This will be the first New York revival of Shlemiel the First.

Based on the Play by Isaac Bashevis Singer
Conceived and Adapted by Robert Brustein
Lyrics by Arnold Weinstein
Composed, Adapted and Orchestrated by Hankus Netsky
Musical Arrangements and Additional Music by Zalmen Mlotek
Editorial Supervision by David Gordon
Music Direction by Zalmen Mlotek
Directed and Choreographed by David Gordon

PRESENTED BY THEATRE FOR A NEW AUDIENCE, NATIONAL YIDDISH THEATRE - FOLKSBIENE, NYU SKIRBALL CENTER AND PEAK PERFORMANCES AT MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY.