The Lucky Star

[RaisedOnMusicals]

Posted: 4/22/22 at 1:36pm

A friend of mine who lives in Baltimore saw this play there pre-pandemic and absolutely RAVED about it. (It ran as "The Book of Joseph". Apparently, it received rave reviews and broke box office records first in Chicago and then in Baltimore. It's opening at 59E59 on May 5, and it stars Steven Skybell who I LOVED as Tevye in the Yiddish Fiddler, and from what I've heard, it has hopes of transferring to Broadway. I got tickets and I'm looking forward to seeing it. Here's a squib about it:

The discovery of a stash of letters stamped with swastikas opens clues to an untold family history spanning multiple generations in The Lucky Star – the gripping true story of resilience and truth-tracking determination spanning Baltimore and beyond. Richard Hollander’s book Every Day Lasts a Year: A Jewish Family’s Correspondence from Poland is brought to the stage in this mesmerizing new adaptation that restores a family’s uncharted legacy – celebrated by revelation and remembrance.

Previously titled The Book of Joseph.

 

[JackiesBroJoe]

Posted: 4/22/22 at 8:33pm

I saw this play in its previous incarnation in Baltimore a few years ago at the Everyman Theatre. One of the best new American plays in years with a fascinating structure and great for anyone who enjoys docu-drama and stories about reframing and grappling with history. Went with my parents and we had so much to talk about after. Great to see the playwright Karen Hartman finally getting her due. One of our more underrated writers. Might make a trip to the city to see this one. 

[JackiesBroJoe]

Posted: 4/23/22 at 10:58am

Just saw the Dale Soules is in this starring opposite Steven Skybell. Always a treat to see her on stage. -- ::goes to find my THE MAGIC SHOW album:::

[ddenoff2]

Posted: 4/28/22 at 8:09am

Please forgive the blatant pride I have as producer of this very wonderful play but we just started previews on Tuesday and we're all 'kvelling'.   Our designers are magnificent and Noah Himmelstein is a truly inspired director and he has brought Karen Hartman's play to life with this magical Broadway-worthy ensemble.

The cast of The Lucky Star is Skye Alissa Friedman (Kimberly Akimbo) as Genka, Danny Gavigan (Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?) as Joseph, Nina Hellman (Greater Clements) as Mania, Eva Kaminsky (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) as Klara/Felicia, Alexa Shae Niziak (Matilda) as Luisa, Alexandra Silber (Indecent) as Dola/Vita, Steven Skybell (Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish) as Richard, Sky Smith (The Blacklist) as Craig, Dale Soules (Orange is the New Black) as Berta/Arnold and Mike Shapiro as Salo/Blaustein.

59E59 is a lovely intimate space and there are plenty of swell restaurants and bars nearby to enjoy before/after the show. 

Updated On: 4/28/22 at 08:09 AM

[RaisedOnMusicals]

Posted: 4/28/22 at 4:59pm

So a friend of mine is a producer/director and is a Founding Producer of the New York Musical Theater Festival. Up until three weeks ago, she had never heard of this play, but I mentioned what I had heard about it as I posted in the original post. So they decided to see it, and got tickets for the first preview on April 26. They emailed me with her thoughts after seeing it:

"It was incredible/ first rate performances - after loving “Prayer for the French Republic” this was on the same first rate level from writing to performances (riveting/totally engaging) loved it - And at the confined but open space at 59E59 / could not be more appropriate- the set is perfect/ but the performances stand on their own as compelling moments in this family saga - GREAT show on all levels."

I'm seeing it myself  fairly soon and am really looking forward to it.