- Junk. The new play by Ayad Akhtar, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “Disgraced,” about a Muslim couple and a Jewish couple discussing identity over dinner, will likely bring to mind Bernie Madoff or Ezra Merkin or Michael Milken. Steven Pasquale stars as Robert Merkin, an ’80s investment banker whose proclamation that “debt is an asset” propels him to dizzying heights. He attempts to take over an iconic American manufacturing company, and a financial civil war ensues.Previews begin Oct. 5 (opening is Nov. 2) at the Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center, 150 W. 65th St., lct.org.
- Torch Song. A revival (condensed) of Harvey Fierstein’s 1982 classic trilogy, directed by Moises Kaufman. It’s 1979 in New York City, and Arnold Beckoff is on a quest for love, purpose and family. He’s fierce in drag and fearless in crisis, and he won’t stop until he achieves the life he desires as a doting husband and Jewish mother. Starring Michael Urie as Arnold Beckoff and Mercedes Ruehl as Ma.Opens Sept. 26 through Nov. 19 at the Tony Kiser Theater, 305 W. 43rd St., 2st.com.
- Falsettos. A filmed performance of the recent Tony-nominated revival by William Finn and James Lapine about the life of a charming, intelligent, neurotic gay man named Marvin, his wife, lover, about-to-be-bar-mitzvahed son, their psychiatrist and the lesbians next door.Sept. 27, 2 p.m., Symphony Space, Leonard Nimoy Thalia theater, Broadway at 95th Street, symphonyspace.org.
- The Band’s Visit. The David Yazbek-Itamar Moses musical based on a sweetly quirky Israeli film, which enjoyed a successful Off-Broadway run, is headed to Broadway. The plot centers on the Egyptian Police Band coming to Israel for a concert but getting dropped off in the wrong city in the middle of the Negev desert. They’re taken in by the locals. Tony Shaloub and Katrina Lenk reprieve their Off-Broadway starring roles.Previews begin Oct. 7 (Nov. 9 is opening night) at The Ethyl Barrymore Theatre, 243 W. 47th St., thebandsvisitmusical.com.
- Divo and Diavolo. When a talented young man chases dreams of opera stardom, he clashes with his legendary father (cantor and Metropolitan Opera icon Richard Tucker). Adam Kraar’s play, performed here in workshop format, is a comedy about a son’s quest to win the elusive blessings of his father. A production of The Jewish Plays Project and the JCC Manhattan’s Lambert Center for Arts & Culture.Thursday, Oct. 19, 7:30 p.m., JCC Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave. (at 76th Street), Jccmanhattan.org.
- Actually. Anna Ziegler’s play about Amber Cohen and Tom Anthony, freshmen at Princeton University, where they have only two things in common: drunken parties and a desire to fit in. But when they meet, their common experience becomes anything but, and their moral mettle is put to the test. Presented in association with the Williamstown Theatre Festival.Previews begin Oct. 31. Tickets available at manhattantheatreclub.com.
- Describe the Night. In 1920, the great Russian Jewish writer Isaac Babel wanders the countryside with the Red Cavalry. Seventy years later, a mysterious KGB agent spies on a woman in Dresden and falls in love. In 2010, an aircraft carrying most of the Polish government crashes in the Russian city of Smolensk. Set in Russia over the course of 80 years, this epic new play by Rajiv Joseph traces the stories of seven men and women connected by history, myth and conspiracy theories.Opens Nov. 1 through Dec. 17 at Atlantic Theater Company (Linda Gross Theater), 336 W. 20th St., atlantictheater.org.
- Awake and Sing! A New Yiddish Rep production of Clifford Odets’ 1935 Bronx-set family drama that turns on issues of materialism and appearances. The three generations of Bergers living under one roof are a financially strapped lot trying to make the best of it in the hard-luck year of 1933. Directed by Johanna Gruenhut.Opens Nov. 20 through Dec. 24 at The Theater at the
14th Street Y, 344 E. 14th St., 14streety.org. - The Sorceress (Di Kishefmakherin). The Folksbiene mounts a rare production of Avrom Goldfaden’s
fairytale-like story of an innocent young heroine, her wicked stepmother, dashing fiancé, an itinerant peddler and a local witch. The musical, with a restored score, is performed in Yiddish with English supertitles.Dec. 25-Jan. 1, Museum of Jewish Heritage, 36 Battery Pl., nytf.org. - A Walk With Mr. Heifetz. In 1925, violin virtuoso Jascha Heifetz played a concert in pre-Israel Palestine. People worldwide flocked to see the performance, including Yehuda Sharett, composer and brother of future Israeli Prime Minister Moshe Sharett. Legend has it that after the show, Heifetz and Yehuda walked together and shared a remarkable conversation that resonated 20 years later when, in 1945, Moshe echoed Heifetz’s footsteps and navigated a similar exchange with his brother. World premiere by James Inverne.January through February (dates TBA), Primary Stages at Cherry Lane Theater, 38 Commerce St., primarystages.org.
10 Shows For The Jewish Theatergoer This Fall
Advertisement
