Shlemiel the First (play)

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Shlemiel the First is a musical adaptation of the stories of Isaac Bashevis Singer about a fool named "Shlemiel", set to traditional klezmer music. It was adapted by Robert Brustein with lyrics by Arnold Weinstein, and was originally produced in 1994 by the American Repertory Theatre[1] in Cambridge, Massachusetts and the American Music Theatre Festival in Philadelphia[2].

The original production was edited, directed and choreographed by David Gordon[3] with music adapted by Hankus Netsky of the Klezmer Conservatory Band and Zalman Mlotek. This production subsequently played at the Lincoln Center Serious Fun Festival, the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco[4], the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles[5], and also toured theatres on the east coast of Florida and in Stamford, Connecticut.[6]

The play has also been produced at Theater J in Washington, D.C.[7].

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ ART Past Productions: Shlemiel the First
  2. ^ Past Productions: Shlemiel the First
  3. ^ According to Alvin Klein, writing in the New York Times: "It can be said that Singer is the original author, Mr. Brustein is the adapter and Mr. Gordon is the auteur."
  4. ^ ACT Production History
  5. ^ Variety review
  6. ^ 'Shlemiel' Continues A Path to Broadway
  7. ^ Theater Shlemiel the First


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