Rachel and Leah Plays The Met Room

"Rachel and Leah," a new musical composed by the Tony nominee Elizabeth Swados, and written by Rebecca Keren and Daniella Rabbani, gets its New York concert premiere at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, on Sunday November 20 at 9:30pm.

A musical about the Biblical matriarchs, "Rachel and Leah" features Keren and Rabbani in the title roles. Leah Bonvissuto directs, while Kris Kukul is the music director. The project, which received readings at LaMaMa E.T.C. last year, has been augmented to its current 80-minute staged concert version by producer Moishe Rosenfeld.

Set in ancient Iraq, "Rachel and Leah" tells the story of inseparable twin daughters who become rivals when each falls in love with Jacob, a man who has come to work for their father Lavan. Despite his preference for one of the daughters, Jacob marries both women, in this deeply moral story about the impulses of attraction, love, and marriage. The OBIE-winning Swados, who came to prominence with the international smash hit "Runaways," composes the music while Keren, Swados's apprentice of six year, writes the book and lyrics, and Rabbani co-authors the book.

Keren starred in the Swados adaptation of "The Dybbuk," and she also performed in Swados's "From the Fire," her award-winning tribute to the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire. Rabbani has received critical acclaim for her performances Off-Broadway with the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene, most notably in "Gimpel Tam," and "The Adventures of Hershele Ostropolyer." Both women are members of Folksbiene's Troupe, which brings shows in Yiddish to underserved audiences in and outside of New York.

"Rachel and Leah" performs one-night only, on Sunday November 20 at 9:30pm, at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street. The concert charge is $20 with a two drink minimum. For reservations call 212/206-0440. For more inforomation or to order online visit www.metropolitanroom.com. To find out more about this project visit www.RachelandLeahTheMusical.com