RUTKA is a contemporary rock musical based on the internationally acclaimed "Rutka’s Notebook: A Voice from the Holocaust", the diary kept by the, then, 14-year-old Rutka Laskier, in which she documented her thoughts and experiences during a three-month period in 1943 while living in the Jewish Ghetto in Bedzin, Poland during the Nazi's occupation.
Rutka’s world is consumed by the usual teen concerns, like friendships, gossip, a new haircut, and the flickers of first love — all of which she documents in her diary. But the world at large is far from usual. It’s 1943 in war-torn Poland, as Rutka and her friends are trying to live life as normally as possible while confined in the Jewish Ghetto. With their futures and fates uncertain, they reach for hope, resilience, and resistance. This all-new musical is a compelling drama and a shining example of how even one small voice can make a difference in the world. RUTKA is brought to life by an extraordinary ensemble of young performers and with a raw and emotional sound, promising an unforgettable musical experience.
Starring Ben Cherry (Broadway: Indecent, Fiddler on the Roof) as Yaacov, Lana Schwartz (Off-Broadway: Endangered) as Rutka Laskier and Zoe Siegel (Off-Broadway: In Corpo) as Micka.
Featuring Jacob Ben-Shmuel (National Tour: The Book of Mormon) as Mordechai; Delaney Brown (National Tour: Jagged Little Pill) as Stasia; Yael Chanukov (Off-Broadway: Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish) as Tusia; Julia Ty Goldberg (Off-Broadway/Regional: Gallery Players, Bedlam, Barrington Stage Company) as Nina; Dillon Klena (National Tour: Jagged Little Pill) as Lolek; Sabrina Koss(Regional: Alley Theatre, Lincoln Center) as Linka; Bex Odorisio (National Tour: Hadestown) as Dvorah; 2023 Jimmy Awards Semi-Finalist Ayden Weinstein as Janek; David Whalen (Regional: Cincinnati Playhouse, Guthrie Theater) as The Soldier; and Jacob (Kov) Zelonsky (National Tour: Billy Elliot The Musical) as Mulek.
With Luka Ashley Carter, Hannah Ervin, Sara Mackie, and Tai Rosenblatt serving as The Understudies
RUTKA features music and lyrics by recording artists Jocelyn Mackenzie and Jeremy Lloyd Styles formerly of the Brooklyn-based indie-rock band Pearl and the Beard. Book is by award-winning playwright and multiple Emmy Award nominee Neena Beber (Executive Producer and Writer on “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”). The production is directed by Wendy C. Goldberg, the distinguished former Artistic Director of The National Playwrights Conference at The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, and a two-time Chair of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama jury.
Set design is by Tony Award winner Todd Rosenthal (Broadway: August: Osage County), costume design is by Jen Caprio (Broadway: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Spamalot), lighting design is by Josh Epstein (Regional: Cincinnati Playhouse, Guthrie, Goodman, Steppenwolf), sound design is by Connor Wang (Broadway: How to Dance in Ohio, Hadestown), and projection design is by Yee Eun Nam (Broadway: Yellow Face). Choreography is by Patrick McCollum (Broadway: The Band’s Visit, Angels in America). Music director is Sharon Kenny (Broadway: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Beetlejuice). Orchestrations and arrangements are by Nathan Koci (Broadway: Illinoise). Stage Manager is Andrea L. Shell. Casting Director is Daryl Eisenberg.
Performances Run OCT. 17-NOV. 10, 2024 THURSDAY OCT. 17, 2024. 7:30PM -OPENING PERFORMANCE- FRIDAY OCT. 18, 2024. 7:30PM SATURDAY OCT. 19, 2024. 2:00PM SATURDAY OCT. 19, 2024. 7:30PM SUNDAY OCT. 20, 2024. 2:00PM TUESDAY OCT. 22, 2024. 7:30PM WEDNESDAY OCT. 23, 2024. 7:30PM -PAY WHAT YOU CAN PERFORMANCE- THURSDAY OCT. 24, 2024. 7:30PM FRIDAY OCT. 25, 2024. 7:30PM SATURDAY OCT. 26, 2024. 2:00PM SATURDAY OCT. 26, 2024. 7:30PM SUNDAY OCT. 27, 2024. 2:00PM TUESDAY OCT. 29, 2024. 7:30PM WEDNESDAY OCT. 30, 2024. 1:00PM -PAY WHAT YOU CAN PERFORMANCE- THURSDAY OCT. 31, 2024. 7:30PM FRIDAY NOV. 1, 2024. 7:30PM SATURDAY NOV. 2, 2024. 2:00PM -AUDIO DESCRIBED- SATURDAY NOV. 2, 2024. 7:30PM SUNDAY NOV. 3, 2024. 2:00PM -SIGNED ASL- WEDNESDAY NOV. 6, 2024. 7:30PM THURSDAY NOV. 7, 2024. 10:00AM -STUDENT MATINEE- THURSDAY NOV. 7, 2024. 7:30PM FRIDAY NOV. 8, 2024. 7:30PM SATURDAY NOV. 9, 2024. 2:00PM SATURDAY NOV. 9, 2024. 7:30PM SUNDAY NOV. 10, 2024. 2:00PM -CLOSING PERFORMANCE-
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