By Katrina “Kat” Reynolds
RUTKA: A New Musical presented by Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park through November 10th. I attended the opening Friday performance.
Delaney Brown (standing) as Stasia & Lana Schwartz as Rutka. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
Launching its path to Broadway, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s Moe and Jack’s Place (The Rouse Theatre) is home to the world premiere of Rutka: A New Musical with Music and Lyrics by Jocelyn Mackenzie and Jeremy Lloyd-Styles with Book by Neena Beber. Based on the diary of Rutka Laskier, a teenager in 1943 war-torn Poland, this indie-rock musical gives the audience a personal account of life as a teenager in a very unusual place in history.
Director Wendy C. Goldberg makes excellent use of the playing space as the scenes change from intimate settings with friends and family to grander scale stage pictures. Set Design by Todd Rosenthal is absolutely beautiful and innovative. The stage is set at a slight incline which not only keeps things fresh, but is extraordinarily apropos given the subject matter(s). Choreographer Patrick McCollum uses this eccentric set-up to his advantage, but he does seem to rest on a lot of what can only be described as interpretive dance.
One of the most impactful aspects to this show is the juxtaposition of a dark period piece against an indie-rock score. This is a smart and atypical choice which keeps the audience on its toes. Orchestration by Nathan Koci as well as Music Direction by Sharon Kenny are exceptional – however, I do believe some key changes may be necessary as one performer in particular does not have the low range to cover an early number and words are missed (I initially assumed the mic had gone out).
Rutka boasts an impressive cast of performing artists. Stand-outs include Delaney Brown as Stasia who drew me in with every single word, spoken or sung; and Zoe Siegel as Micka who is equally as mesmerizing. Lana Schwartz as our titular character deftly navigates portraying herself as a spunky young teen who feels compelled to document her feelings about the normal and abnormal happenings around her.
Delaney Brown (standing) and Lana Schwartz (seated) in Rutka: A New Musical presented by Playhouse in the Park. Photo credit to Mikki Schaffner.
So…why have most of us not heard of Rutka and her diary? Without spoiling anything, I will share that her diary was not made public until 2006. There is never a bad time to hear more from the voices of those who lived through the Holocaust genocide as it seems some of us need to be reminded of the atrocities human beings can not only commit, but can endure. It is evident those who have crafted this love letter to Rutka and things for which she stood are attempting to remind us of the good in people rather than the evil – and this is a much-needed message.
Click here for more information about the production.
Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 