Rutka is an indie rock musical with a book by Neena Beber and music and lyrics by Jocelyn Mackenzie and Jeremy Lloyd Styles of Pearl and The Beard. It is based on the diary of Rutka Laskier.
| Rutka | |
|---|---|
 Cincinnati set in 2024 | |
| Music | Jocelyn Mackenzie and Jeremy Lloyd Styles |
| Lyrics | Jocelyn Mackenzie and Jeremy Lloyd Styles |
| Book | Neena Beber |
| Setting | 1943 Poland |
| Premiere | 13 October 2024: Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park |
Premise
editIn 1943, 14-year-old Rutka Laskier, living in the Jewish ghetto in Nazi-occupied Będzin, Poland, writes in her diary about typical teenage concerns.[1][2]
Development
editThis musical is based on Rutka’s Notebook: A Voice from the Holocaust, the diary by Laskier over the course of three months of 1943 while living in the Jewish ghetto in Będzin.[3] The diary remained hidden until 2006.[4]
The original book was by Sarah Gancher but later was credited to Neena Beber.[1][5] Music and lyrics are by Jocelyn Mackenzie and Jeremy Lloyd Styles of Pearl and the Beard. The musical style is indie rock.[1]
Production
editThe musical had two workshops, including a concert performance in January 2023 at Lincoln Center's New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.[5][3]
The musical had its world premiere in a pre-Broadway tryout 13 October 2024 at Cincinnati's Playhouse in the Park and opened 17 October, with a planned run through 10 November.[3][6][7][8] It is directed by Wendy C. Goldberg with set design by Todd Rosenthal.[2][9][10]
Cast
edit| Role | Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park | |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | ||
| Rutka | Lana Schwartz | |
| Janek | Ayden Weinstein | |
| Stasia | Delaney Brown | |
| Lolek | Dillon Klena | |
| Mulek | Jacob Zelonky | |
| Nina | Julia Ty Goldberg | |
| Tuisa | Hannah T. Skokan | |
| Linka | Sabrina Koss | |
| Micka | Zoe Siegel | |
| Dvorah | Bex Odorisio | |
| Yaacov | Ben Cherry | |
| Soilder | David Whalen | |
| Mordechai | Jacob Ben-Shumel |
Reception
editLaura Collins-Hughes, writing in The New York Times in September 2024, listed it among "15 Shows to See on Stages Around the U.S. This Fall".[11] The Business Journal called it "emotional, bittersweet and intense".[7] City Beat called the score "energetic and uplifting".[6]
References
edit- ^ a b c Gans, Andrew (4 September 2024). "See Who's Starring in World Premiere of Rutka Musical at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park". Playbill.
- ^ a b "Rutka in Cincinnati at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park 2024". Broadway World. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
- ^ a b c Lyman, David (9 October 2024). "This is why the new Playhouse was built. See 'Rutka' before it heads to Broadway". Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
- ^ Gradstein, Linda (5 July 2007). "New Diary Offers Glimpse of Life in Nazi Grip". NPR.
- ^ a b Hall, Margaret (9 January 2023). "Judy Kaye, Julie Benko, Andrew Barth Feldman, More to Star in Rutka Concert Staging". Playbill.
- ^ a b Pender, Rick (22 October 2024). "'Rutka' at the Playhouse: A Message of Hope from the Darkness of WWII". Cincinnati City Beat.
- ^ a b Gelfand, Janelle (20 October 2024). "REVIEW: 'Rutka' is emotional, intense in world premiere at Playhouse". bizjournals.com. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ Pierce, Jerald Raymond (15 October 2024). "Remembrance and Resistance in 'Rutka'". American Theatre. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
- ^ Gans, Andrew (4 March 2024). "Rutka Musical to Make World Premiere at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park". Playbill.
- ^ Meckloskey, Alex (4 March 2024). "RUTKA, a world premiere indie-rock musical based on Rutka's Notebook will be presented in Fall 2024 at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park". Theatrely. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
- ^ Collins-Hughes, Laura (6 September 2024). "15 Shows to See on Stages Around the U.S. This Fall". New York Times.