Shlemiel the First 1994

Opened: July 7, 1994
Closing: July 09, 1994

Shlemiel the First - 1994 - Regional (US) History , Info & More

Based on the play by Isaac Bashevis Singer

Shlemiel the First received rave reviews when it premiered in 1994. Stephen Holden, New York Times, celebrated Shlemiel as "A comic ode to the rejuvenating power of the erotic imagination...propulsively tuneful music and dazzling lyrics." John Lahr wrote in The New Yorker that "Shlemiel is busting its buttons with joy." John Heilpern, New York Observer, said, "It returns us to the heart of musical comedy...unapologetically playful, sweet, a bit mad and very funny."



A cast of eight, an unusual and innovative creative team and an eight musician live band bring the erotic, comic, surreal quality of Singer's story to life. Shlemiel takes place in Chelm, a village of fools. Half sad-sack clown, half accidental messiah, Shlemiel's charm is in his childlike innocence, and the charm of this musical is in its playfulness and unapologetic, unalloyed delight. It turns an already absurd world hilariously and redemptively, topsy-turvy.

Get Shlemiel the First Email Alerts

Be the first to get ticket offers, news, photos & more.

Michael Boyd to Be Honored at Theatre for a New Audience’s Spring Gala Tonight, 5/7
by BWW News Desk - May 7, 2012


Acclaimed Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) Artistic Director Michael Boyd will receive the Samuel H. Scripps Award at Theatre for a New Audience's Spring Gala Celebrating Shakespeare's 448th Birthday. The celebration, tonight, May 7, is at the Powerhouse at the American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street.

Michael Boyd to Be Honored at Theatre for a New Audience’s Spring Gala, 5/7
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 27, 2012


Acclaimed Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) Artistic Director Michael Boyd will receive the Samuel H. Scripps Award at Theatre for a New Audience's Spring Gala Celebrating Shakespeare's 448th Birthday. The celebration, Monday, May 7, is at the Powerhouse at the American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street.

SpeakEasy Stage To Present RED 1/6-2/4
by BWW News Desk - Feb 4, 2012


From January 6 through February 4, 2012, SpeakEasy Stage will present the New England Premiere of the 2010 Tony Award-winning play RED by John Logan.

SpeakEasy Stage To Present RED 1/6-2/4
by BWW News Desk - Jan 6, 2012


From January 6 through February 4, 2012, SpeakEasy Stage will present the New England Premiere of the 2010 Tony Award-winning play RED by John Logan.

SpeakEasy Stage To Present RED 1/6-2/4
by Gabrielle Sierra - Dec 19, 2011


From January 6 through February 4, 2012, SpeakEasy Stage will present the New England Premiere of the 2010 Tony Award-winning play RED by John Logan.

Shlemiel the First Plays Jack H. Skirball Center
by Gabrielle Sierra - Nov 8, 2011


The acclaimed 1994 world premiere of the Klezmer musical Shlemiel the First, was at Boston's American Repertory Theater (ART).

Olney Theatre's GREASE Closes 8/28
by BWW News Desk - Aug 28, 2011


Olney Theatre Center's production of GREASE will close on August 28. Bobby Smith returns to direct what can be called the original high school musical.

Theatre for a New Audience's Season To Feature Five Works
by BWW News Desk - Aug 27, 2011


Theatre for a New Audience's 32nd season features boldly diverse plays by William Shakespeare, Samuel Beckett, John Ford and a joyful klezmer musical adapted by Robert Brustein from the stories of Nobel-winning Isaac Bashevis Singer.

Theatre for a New Audience's Season To Feature Five Works
by Gabrielle Sierra - Aug 9, 2011


Theatre for a New Audience's 32nd season features boldly diverse plays by William Shakespeare, Samuel Beckett, John Ford and a joyful klezmer musical adapted by Robert Brustein from the stories of Nobel-winning Isaac Bashevis Singer.

Olney Theatre Center Extends GREASE Through 8/28
by Nicole Rosky - Jul 22, 2011


Those summer nights are going to last just a little longer as Olney Theatre Center extends its production of Grease before it even opens. Bobby Smith returns to direct what can be called the original high school musical.

A.R.T. Presents BUCKMINSTER FULLER, 1/14-2/5
by BWW News Desk - Jan 14, 2011


The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) continues its 2010/11 Season with R. Buckminster Fuller: THE HISTORY (and Mystery) OF THE UNIVERSE, written and directed by D.W. Jacobs from the life, work, and writings of R. Buckminster Fuller. The production features Thomas Derrah as Bucky Fuller. Set and lighting design is by David Cuthbert, costume design by Darla Cash, projection design by Jim Findlay, and sound/composition by Luis Perez.

A.R.T. Presents BUCKMINSTER FULLER, 1/14-2/5
by Nicole Rosky - Nov 30, 2010


The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) continues its 2010/11 Season with R. Buckminster Fuller: THE HISTORY (and Mystery) OF THE UNIVERSE, written and directed by D.W. Jacobs from the life, work, and writings of R. Buckminster Fuller. The production features Thomas Derrah as Bucky Fuller. Set and lighting design is by David Cuthbert, costume design by Darla Cash, projection design by Jim Findlay, and sound/composition by Luis Perez.

Peak Performances At Montclair Presents SHLEMIEL THE FIRST 1/16
by BWW News Desk - Jan 16, 2010


The hilarious, postmodern-inspired klezmer musical 'Shlemiel the First,' which received its world premiere at the A.R.T. in Cambridge, MA in 1994, will be freshly minted during Peak Performances@Montclair‘s 2010 winter/spring season.

Peak Performances At Montclair Presents SHLEMIEL THE FIRST 1/16
by Gabrielle Sierra - Dec 23, 2009


The hilarious, postmodern-inspired klezmer musical 'Shlemiel the First,' which received its world premiere at the A.R.T. in Cambridge, MA in 1994, will be freshly minted during Peak Performances@Montclair‘s 2010 winter/spring season.

Peak Performances At Montclair Presents SHLEMIEL THE FIRST 1/16
by Gabrielle Sierra - Dec 15, 2009


The hilarious, postmodern-inspired klezmer musical 'Shlemiel the First,' which received its world premiere at the A.R.T. in Cambridge, MA in 1994, will be freshly minted during Peak Performances@Montclair‘s 2010 winter/spring season.

Peak Performances@Montclair Presents SHLEMIEL THE FIRST 1/16-17, 20-24
by Gabrielle Sierra - Dec 2, 2009


The hilarious, postmodern-inspired klezmer musical 'Shlemiel The First,' which received its world premiere at the A.R.T. in Cambridge, MA in 1994, will be freshly minted during Peak Performances@Montclair‘s 2010 winter/spring season.

Videos