Leah Napolin

New York Theatre Barn will host a free live stream of its New Works Series on Wednesday, June 24th, 2020 at 7PM EDT, featuring excerpts from the new musicals The Dogs of Pripyat and Tarrytown. The 40-minute presentation will also feature the creators of the new musicals.

GREEN ROOM 42 will present The Dogs of Pripyat in concert on Monday, March 2, 2020 at 7:00PM, as part of the GR42 New Works Series. Inspired by the true story of the abandoned dogs of Chernobyl who learned to survive and even thrive under unimaginable circumstances, The Dogs of Pripyat is an evening of heartbreak, hope, and humor that explores the inextinguishable desire in all of us to live when life seems least possible.

Amas Musical Theatre (Donna Trinkoff, Artistic Producer) will present Bread and Roses, with book & lyrics by Jill Abramovitz and music by Brad Alexander, the third and final offering of Dare To Be Different, the previously announced series of new musicals and one-night only special events being held at A.R.T./New York Theatres (502 West 53rd Street 10th Avenue & 53rd Street). The three performances will be held on Thursday, December 14 at 3pm & 7pm and on Friday, December 15 @ 3pm. For tickets please call (212) 352-3101 or visit www.amasmusical.org.

We Have Apples will be holding a 29 hour reading with presentations on February 27th at 12pm & 4pm. The reading is directed by Lorin Latarro and produced by Tony LaPlaca.

Apparently, due to legal issues with rights that had to be worked out, this version of YENTL, based on the short story "Yentl, the Yeshiva Boy" written by Isaac Bashevis Singer (book by Leah Napolin and Singer), cannot be referred to in its title as a musical. It all has to do with Barbra Streisand's dreary and dreadful (although some people adore it) 1983 musical film version. But, there's no confusing the two once you see this utterly charming adaptation. It adheres closely to Singer's work, while the film veers off into a direction which not only makes little sense, but also butchers the author's intent. That's a shame, but when you're writing, directing, starring, etc, you can tend to lose sight of the actual story, turning it instead into a nothing more than a self-serving star vehicle. Jill Sobule's music (she composed "I Kissed a Girl", oddly enough) provides a genre-hopping mix of styles that may, at times, seem anachronistic, but which serve the tale very well. The New Jewish Theatre's current production is a delight, and I heartily recommend it.

Broadway's Future Songbook Series -- presented by Arts and Artists at St. Paul -- just presented the songs of award-winning lyricist Jill Abramovitz. Produced and hosted by John Znidarsic, the concert featured performances by: Arielle Jacobs (Wicked), Lisa Howard (It Shoulda Been You), Alex Gemignani (Sunday in the Park With George), Jessica Vosk (Fiddler on the Roof), Kate Wetherhead (Clever Little Lies), Kevin Pariseau (Legally Blonde), Dana Steingold, F. Michael Haynie (Dogfight), Michael Winther (33 Variations).

Tonight, March 28, at 6pm Broadway's Future Songbook Series -- presented by Arts and Artists at St. Paul -- will spotlight the songs of award-winning lyricist Jill Abramovitz.

On March 28 at 6pm Broadway's Future Songbook Series -- presented by Arts and Artists at St. Paul -- will spotlight the songs of award-winning lyricist Jill Abramovitz.

The 2015 Gold Coast International Film Festival has an exciting slate of films taking place starting tonight November 9 and running through Nov 15, 2015

The 2015 Gold Coast International Film Festival announces an exciting slate of films for this year's Festival taking place November 9 - 15, 2015

Washington DC's highly engaging Theater J has brought Yentl back but this time in a musical form. The beauty and impact of YENTL is that the gender-bender central role is not just a plot device to have reverse drag be the knee-slapping gimmick of the moment. Yentl has no other choice but to live her life as a man, in the time and place in which the story unfolds. Theater J knows how to pick pieces with bold themes and this is no exception.

Joe's Pub at the Public has announced its upcoming shows, today, May 21 through June 1, 2014. Details below!

Joe's Pub at the Public has announced its upcoming shows, May 21 through June 1, 2014. Details below!

Joe's Pub at The Public is known for the most eclectic and diverse programming in New York City. Coming up at the Pub is a slate of extraordinary women performers and artists that span the gambit of genre and style - from the irreverent and explosive alt-cabaret star Bridget Everett to the visionary jazz vocalist and composer Kavita Shah to the prolific and singular singer-songwriter Mary Gauthier. See below for a full list of their leading ladies through June 2014.

Cleveland Play House (CPH) will begin the New Year with a captivating production of Yentl. Based on the short story 'Yentl, the Yeshiva Boy' by Isaac Bashevis Singer and adapted for the stage by Leah Napolin and Singer, Yentl tells the story of a young Jewish woman rebelling against the limitations placed upon her gender by society. This incredible CPH production will be directed by Michael Perlman and will run from tonight, Jan. 10 - Feb. 2 in the Allen Theatre at PlayhouseSquare.

Cleveland Play House (CPH) will begin the New Year with a captivating production of Yentl. Based on the short story "Yentl, the Yeshiva Boy" by Isaac Bashevis Singer and adapted for the stage by Leah Napolin and Singer, Yentl tells the story of a young Jewish woman rebelling against the limitations placed upon her gender by society. This incredible CPH production will be directed by Michael Perlman and will run from Jan. 10 - Feb. 2 in the Allen Theatre at PlayhouseSquare.

Adam Chanler-Berat (Peter and the Starcatcher, Next to Normal), Kerry Butler (Xanadu, Catch Me If You Can) and Alex Gemignani (Chicago, Assassins) will star in an upcoming staged reading of The Dogs of Pripyat today, September 10th and Wednesday, September 11th. The Dogs of Pripyat features music by Aron Accurso (Assoc. Conductor: Aladdin, Sister Act), lyrics by Jill Abramovitz (Cinderella), and book by Leah Napolin and Abramovitz.

Adam Chanler-Berat (Peter and the Starcatcher, Next to Normal), Kerry Butler (Xanadu, Catch Me If You Can) and Alex Gemignani (Chicago, Assassins) will star in an upcoming staged reading of The Dogs of Pripyat Tuesday, September 10th and Wednesday, September 11th. The Dogs of Pripyat features music by Aron Accurso (Assoc. Conductor: Aladdin, Sister Act), lyrics by Jill Abramovitz (Cinderella), and book by Leah Napolin and Abramovitz.

Thirty years after it came out, the movie Yentl will be made into a musical starring just one actress: Vera Mann. The one-woman musical will premiere in October and tour the Netherlands until January 2014.