Lisa Kron to pen new YENTL musical adaptation

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Lisa-Kron-to-Pen-New-Stage-Adaptation-of-YENTL-20250415

The New York Times reports that a new musical stage adaptation of Yentl the Yeshiva Boy is in development, with a book and lyrics by Tony Award winner Lisa Kron, the Fisher Center at Bard announced Tuesday. The production will be directed by Barrie Kosky and features a score by Adam Benzwi.

The show is one of three inaugural projects selected for the newly established Civis Hope Commissions, a program designed to support artists reimagining American narratives to envision a more hopeful future. The commissions are backed by a $2.5 million gift from the Civis Foundation, matched by Bard College to establish a $5 million endowment.

I feel for any performer asked to step into Barbra’s shadow. It’s a lose lose. Just let the film be the film, it’s iconic.



(But I’d go with Jessie Mueller)

Just revive the play!

It's charming and is much closer to what Isaac Bashevis Singer wrote.

And then OBVIOUSLY Gyllenhaal as Avigdor (Spartacus).

Rewrite it so Mandy can be in it, as a man back at yeshiva, taking adult continuing education classes.

I can’t imagine they’ll be cutting the songs people know. Probably a better comparison is something like Millie or Frozen which had existing songs but expanded the score significantly.

BrodyFosse123 said: "...This is a completely new adaptation and has zero to do with Streisand’s fabulous 1983 film musical adaptation."

Papa, can you hear me booing and hissing?