Schlemiel the First

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A Musical Play Based on the Play by Isaac Bashevis Singer
Adaptation and Book by Robert Brustein
Lyrics by Arnold Weinstein
Music by Hankus Netsky
Musical arrangements and additional music by Zalmen Mlotek
Editorial Supervision by David Gordon
Directed and Choreographed by David Gordon
Music Direction by Zalmen Mlotek

Sat. Jan. 16 & 23 • 8:00pm
Sun. Jan. 17 & 24 • 3:00pm
Wed. Jan. 20 • 7:30pm
Thurs. Jan. 21 • 7:30pm
Fri. Jan. 22 • 1:00pm

Laugh until your sides burst in this unique revival of Robert Brustein’s musical adaptation of the folktale-based play by Nobel Laureate Isaac Bashevis Singer. Since its world premiere in Cambridge before sold-out houses in 1994, Shlemiel the First has delighted audiences in New York (Lincoln Center), San Francisco (American Conservatory Theatre), Philadelphia, and several cities in Florida. The naive beadle Shlemiel is sent on a pilgrimage to spread the town of Chelm’s questionable wisdom to the world only to wind up right where he began, believing he’s found a second Chelm exactly like the first. Gordon’s playful and elegant production features fun-loving lyrics by Arnold Weinstein (Dynamite Tonight and Casino Paradise), set to a gorgeous klezmer score that makes the designation “masterpiece” easy to shout.