“Anne Frank, The Musical.” After its debut in France in 2008, the musical version of Anne Frank’s life makes its Off-Broadway debut, with David Serero directing and starring as Otto Frank and Krystin Vario as Anne Frank. Five performances: Sept. 11, 15, 17, 23-24. American Sephardi Federation, Center for Jewish History, 15 W. 16th St., (646) 724-3129, AnneFrankTheMusical.bpt.me.
“The Talmud.” Director Jesse Freedman explores connections between the Talmud and Chinese martial arts cinema, juxtaposing choreographed Talmudic debate and Kung-Fu cinematography as a way of understanding the transmission of sacred traditions and ancient wisdom. Sept. 12-Sept. 28. The Doxsee, 232 52nd St., Sunset Park, Brooklyn, (866) 811-4111, targetmargin.org/talmud/.
“To Life!” The Rosen family comes together in a hospital room and subsequently falls apart as family secrets are revealed in what playwright Eve Lederman calls a “death-defying traumedy.” Sept. 19-Oct. 6. Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave., (212) 254-1109, theaterforthenewcity.net.
“The Lehman Trilogy.” Broadcast live from London’s West End Theatre, Simon Russell Beale, Adam Godley and Ben Miles play the Lehman brothers, their sons and grandsons in this historical play about the powerful family and company over almost two centuries (slated to open on Broadway in March 2020). Sept. 15, Skirball Center, 566 LaGuardia Pl., nyuskirball.org; Sept. 19, Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, symphonyspace.org; Oct. 19, BAM, 30 Lafayette Ave., Brooklyn, bam.org.
“Ludwig and Bertie.” The 40-year relationship — most often one of love/hate — between philosopher Bertrand Russell and his student Ludwig Wittgenstein is dramatized in this world premiere, a play of ideas and personal stories. Sept. 26 (opens Sept. 27)-Oct. 13. Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave., (212) 254-1109, theaterforthenewcity.net.
“Fires in the Mirror.” MacArthur “Genius” Fellow Anna Deveare Smith reprises and reimagines her groundbreaking documentary one-person show, in which she inhabits the lives of individuals on all sides of the 1991 conflict and racial tensions in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, following the deaths of a young black boy and a Jewish man. Oct. 22-Nov. 24. Talkbacks following performances on Oct. 29, Nov. 5, Nov. 14. Signature Theatre, 480 W. 42nd St., (212) 244-7529, signaturetheatre.org.
“Einstein’s Dreams.” The soaring intellectual is seen in his younger days as he envisions worlds beyond classical physics, guided by a mysterious woman in his dreams. The new musical, based on the bestselling novel by Alan Lightman, explores imagination and intellect. Nov. 5-Dec. 14. 59 E. 59th St., (646) 892-7999, 59e59.org.
“The Sorceress” (Di Kishefmakherin). The National Yiddish Theater-Folksbiene presents Avram Goldfaden’s operetta, restored with musical arrangements from before the Holocaust (saved by the “Paper Brigade” in Vilna, with a folktale trio of an innocent young woman, an evil stepmother and a wicked witch. In Yiddish with English and Russian subtitles. Previews Dec. 1-5, performances Dec. 9-29. Museum of Jewish Heritage,
36 Battery Place, 866 811 4111, nytf.org.
