The American premiere of the Yiddish-language adaptation of Fiddler on the Roof, which began performances July 4 in an all-new production from National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene, has been extended an additional week. Helmed by Oscar and Tony winner Joel Grey, performances will now continue through September 2 in the Edmond J. Safra Theatre at the Museum of Jewish Heritage.
Raquel Nobile, Rosie Jo Neddy, Rachel Zatcoff, Stephanie Lynne Mason and Samantha Hahn in Fiddler on the Roof
Fiddler is presented in Yiddish with English and Russian supertitles. The production, which marks the first time the Yiddish version of the musical has been staged since its world premiere in Israel more than 50 years ago, stars Jackie Hoffman, Steven Skybell, and Mary Illes in the roles of Yente, Tevye, and Golde, respectively.
NYTF’s Fiddler will officially open July 15.
“Given the extraordinary response [so far], the cast and creative team were excited to continue performances for an additional week to further share Fiddler on the Roof’s messages of survival and hope,” says NYTF Chief Executive Officer Christopher Massimine.
The cast of Fiddler also includes Kirk Geritano as Avram; Samantha Hahn as Bielke; Cameron Johnson as Fyedka; Daniel Kahn as Perchik; Ben Liebert as Motel; Stephanie Lynne Mason as Hodel; Rosie Jo Neddy as Chava; Raquel Nobile as Shprintze; Bruce Sabath as Lazar Wolf; Jodi Snyder as Fruma-Sarah; Lauren Jeanne Thomas as The Fiddler; Bobby Underwood as The Constable; Michael Yashinsky as Mordcha; and Rachel Zatcoff as Tzeitel.
Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish is based on the Tevye the Dairyman vignettes by Sholem Aleichem and is translated by Shraga Friedman. Tony-winning Fiddler lyricist Sheldon Harnick and producer and director Harold Prince have been consulting with NYTF on the production.
The creative team also features Tony-winning set designer Beowulf Boritt, Tony-winning costume designer Ann Hould-Ward, choreographer Staś Kmieć, Tony-nominated sound designer Dan Moses Schreier, and Tony-winning lighting designer Peter Kaczorowski. Casting is by Jamibeth Margolis, C.S.A, and Zalmen Mlotek is NYTF’s artistic director.
Completing the cast of Fiddler are Jennifer Babiak, Joanne Borts, Josh Dunn, Michael Einav, Evan Mayer, Nick Raynor, Kayleen Seidl, Adam Shapiro, and James Monroe Stevko.
Fiddler on the Roof has music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Harnick, and a book by Joseph Stein.
For tickets, visit NYTF.org or call (866) 811-4111.
New York City Center’s Encores! Off-Center season continues July 11 and 12 with Gone Missing, presented in honor of the late composer and Off-Center Artistic Director Michael Friedman.
Susan Blackwell Joseph Marzullo/WENN
Ken Rus Schmoll directs the production of the show, which musicalizes a series of interviews conducted by New York City theatre troupe The Civilians regarding objects people had lost in their lives and how they coped. The piece, written and originally directed by Civilians Founding Artistic Director Steve Cosson, features a score by Friedman.
The two-night engagement stars John Behlmann, Susan Blackwell, Aysan Celik, Deborah S. Craig, Taylor Mac, and David Ryan Smith. Karla Garcia choreographs; Chris Fenwick serves as music director.
At 6:30 PM—one hour before curtain at both performances—theatregoers will have the opportunity to catch members of The Civilians and New York City Center artists-in-residence as they present investigative theatre pieces exploring the legacy of the musical as part of the Lobby Project.
Friedman died September 9, 2017, at the age of 41 following complications due to HIV/AIDS. “We wanted to celebrate the profound vision of our friend and colleague Michael Friedman, who is sorely missed,” said Anne Kauffman, co-artistic director of Encores! Off-Center alongside Jeanine Tesori. “We’re certain that Michael’s voice will continue to break open what musical theatre can be and inspire audiences and artists for decades to come.”
Joshua Jay’s immersive close-up magic show Six Impossible Things, currently playing a sold-out run at Wildrence, will return to the intimate performance space for a limited engagement this fall. The show plays to an audience of 20, which moves through several rooms where a new mystery unfolds.
In Six Impossible Things, directed by Luke Jermay, Jay performs magic inches from the faces of spectators. Performances are currently scheduled through July 28, and will resume October 25–December 15. Wildrence is located behind the Blue Door at 59 Canal Street.
“I have been creating Six Impossible Things for the past three years, it is truly a passion project,” says Jay. “Rather than make a show that is big and flashy for many people, we have gone in the opposite direction and made our experience intimate, for only 20 people at a time. With each show, every audience member gets to have that special moment, that story they can tell their friends about, that time that they experience magic up close. I am so excited by the audience’s reaction to our unique show and am thrilled that we get to return this fall for more impossible things.”
The artwork throughout the space is created by Serge Block.
Casting is now complete for the star-studded Hollywood Bowl staging of the Tony-winning musical Annie.
Ana Gasteyer and Megan Hilty
Newly announced for the weekend presentations are Tony winner Roger Bart as Daniel Rooster Hannigan, Kaylin Hedges as Annie, Ali Stroker as Star-to-Be, Amir Talai as Bert Healy, Marlow Barkley as Kate, Amadi Chapata as Pepper, Noe Lynds as July, Rae Martinez as Tessie, Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja as Molly, and Olivia Zenetzis as Duffy.
Performances are scheduled for July 27–29 at the outdoor venue. The production will be helmed by Tony-nominated director Michael Arden, who directed Salonga in this season’s currently-running, Tony-winning Broadway revival of Once On This Island.
The creative team also includes conductor Todd Ellison and choreographer Eamon Foley.
This new production will mark the 90th birthday of the show’s composer, Charles Strouse, who wrote the hit show along with lyricist Martin Charnin and bookwriter Thomas Meehan. Since its Broadway debut in 1977, Annie has been revived twice on Broadway (in 1997 and 2014), spawned numerous national tours, and been adapted into three films (in 1982, 1999, and 2014).
Now in its 15th year, the New York Musical Festival welcomes a new crop of productions, concerts, readings, and events to champion new work in American musical theatre. This year, the festival committee was even more selective about its programming, presenting only 12 full productions as opposed to last year’s nearly 30. While that means it’s easier to catch the festival’s full offerings than ever before, it can be tough to cram it all in if it’s not your job—and NYMF is a festival for average theatre fans and industry professionals alike. NYMF has also re-prioritized the showcase of unknown voices with big potential both onstage and in the writers’ room.
Here are the six shows you should pay extra attention to from NYMF 2018:
Interstate Week 1: July 9–15 Book and lyrics by Kit Yan and Melissa Li; music by Melissa Li This musical combines pop-rock and poetry in a tale about two Asian-American performers who take their activist act, known as Queer Malady, on the road. When their work inspires transgender vlogger Henry, the misunderstood teen goes on a journey to meet his musical heroes in person. Think of it as a classic road trip story through a queer, Asian lens.
Pedro Pan Week 1: July 10–14 Book by Rebecca Aparicio; music and lyrics by Stephen Anthony Elkins Tony winner Wilson Jermaine Heredia (Rent’s original Angel) makes a return to the New York stage as the father of young Pedro. Based on true events, the Latin-flavored musical by the husband-and-wife team tells the story of a young boy sent to the U.S. to escape the dangers of Cuba and his survival of extreme culture shock and a dream of reuniting with his family. Expect groove-worthy tunes and a meaningful family story.
Thicket & Thistle’s What’s Your Wish? Week 2: July 16–21 Book by Thicket & Thistle; music and lyrics by Kyle Acheson, Sam De Roest, and Corley Pillsbury Consider this NYMF’s dose of fantasy. Told by a cast of wildly talented actor-musicians, What’s Your Wish? follows two friends and a test of the strength of their relationship after being sucked into a storybook. Think of it as a more daring musical Pagemaster.
Emojiland Week 2: July 17–22 Book, music, and lyrics by Keith Harrison and Laura Nicole Harrison Another married couple writing team presents this zany musical comedy about 12 emojis whose existence is threatened by a software update. Offbeat—in a good way—and entertaining, you’ll love the realness of the relationship between Female Police Officer and Female Construction Worker, the catchy songs, and the relatable crisis of an unknown future. (And there’s Lesli Margherita, too 😉 )
The Gunfighter Meets His Match Week 4: July 30–August 4 Book, music, and lyrics by Abbye Payne; choreography by Glitter Kitty Productions This musical marks the dramatic and romantic offering of the bunch. Inspired by the short stories of Louis L’Amour, the story chronicles a gunfighter’s battle for his truest love. Accompanied by elaborate, lyrical choreography, this show is for those looking to be swept up in emotion.
Sonata1962 Week 4: August 1–5 Book and lyrics by Patricia Loughrey; music and lyrics by Thomas Hodges It’s 1962 and Laura falls in love while in her freshman year of school—with a woman. In a time when homosexuality was viewed as a health threat and a crime, the story examines how far Laura’s mother will go to protect her daughter when her fate is the consequence of the times in which she lives. With a robust score rooted in classical music, Sonata asks timely questions of love and identity.
Go Inside Rehearsal for the 2018 New York Musical Festival
Despite being left empty-handed at the Tony Awards last month, Mean Girls continues to break records at the August Wilson Theatre, where the new musical surpassed its all-time box office record for the third consecutive week with $1,592,305 in the week ending July 1.
Paul Alexander Nolan Matthew Murphy
Jimmy Buffet’s Escape to Margaritaville ended its Broadway run at the Marquis Theatre July 1 with a bump at the box office in its final week, with a take of $656,921, up $88,930 from the week prior.
The Broadway revival of Tony Kushner’s two-part epic Angels in America is set to end its limited engagement on a high note at the Neil Simon Theatre later this month. In addition to taking the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play in June, the production continues to soar at the box office.
Angels in America broke its own record this week, taking $1,139,835 for the week ending July 1, surpassing last week’s high of $1,097,638—the first time the revival grossed seven figures since arriving on Broadway in February.
The Band’s Visit, this year’s Tony-winning Best Musical, continues its post-Tony Awards box office rebound at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. The production grossed $1,112,169 last week, a steady increase from its pre-Tony Awards take of $862,762 in early June.
