Yentl

A new adaptation based on the original short story ‘Yentl’ by Isaac Bashevis Singer

Yentl opens at the Arts Centre Melbourne’s Fairfax Theatre in March 2022.

Gender identity, religious and sexual politics, and traditional Yiddish culture collide in this bold and contemporary adaptation by Gary Abrahams, Elise Hearst and Kadimah Yiddish Theatre Artistic Co-Directors Galit Klas and Evelyn Krape.

This new stage adaptation of Nobel Prize laureate Isaac Bashevis Singer’s iconic short story ‘Yentl’, is the first new adaptation since the pop culture phenomenon that was Barbra Streisand’s 1983 musical film.

“It’s a story about identity, and about the danger and bravery of creating one’s identity when you have to fight against the status quo of the world around you.”

Co-creator and acclaimed director Gary Abrahams
(33 Variations,The Ghetto Cabaret)

Headlining a year-long calendar of events celebrating Kadimah’s 110 years of continuous theatre, language and cultural programs, Yentl features emerging actor Jana Zvedeniuk, whose Russian/Israeli/Yiddish background make her an undeniable choice for her first major role, alongside award-winning actor Evelyn Krape (King Lear, The Ghetto Cabaret, Female Parts).

Staged in English and Yiddish, with English surtitles. Translations by Monash University’s ACJC Director Prof Rivke Margolis, the production continues Kadimah’s mission to bring Yiddish culture and language to a wide audience.

Fairfax Studio, Arts Centre Melbourne
12 March — 26 March 2022
Bookings at Art Centre Melbourne

Directed by Gary Abrahams and Virginia Proud. Written by Gary Abrahams, Elise Hearst and Galit Klas. Developed by Gary Abrahams, Galit Klas and Evelyn Krape. Set and Costume Design by Dann Barber. Lighting Design by Rachel Burke. Sound Design and Composition by Russell Goldsmith. Yiddish Translation by Rivke Margolis. Featuring Evelyn Krape, Jana Zvedeniuk, Nicholas Jaquinot and Genevieve Kingsford.

דער קדימה טעאַטער וועט אויפֿפֿירן “יענטל”, אַ נײַע אַדאַפּטאַציע פֿון דער אָריגינעלער קורצער דערצײַלונג פֿון יצחק באַשעוויס זינגער, אינעם מעלבורנעם קונסט צענטערס פֿערפֿעקס טעאַטער  אין מערץ 2022.  קדימה נאָכפֿאָלגער קענען שוין פֿאָרויסקויפֿן בילעטן פֿאַר דער פֿאָרשטעלונג.

Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund – an Australian Government initiative
With support from the Robert Salzer Foundation, the Pratt Foundation and the Besen Family Foundation