Yaacobi & Leidental
U.S. Premiere
A Play with Songs
Friendship, betrayal and exhilarating intrigue and angst are the raw materials of Hanoch Levin’s Yaacobi & Leidental, a hilarious and quite biting musical romp about a love triangle gone wrong. Even as one laughs at the antics of the brash Yaacobi, the insecure Leidental and the not-as-sweet-as-she-looks Ruth Shahash, there are unavoidable moments of recognition that remind us of our shared human frailty, an understanding of desire and suffering.
The play is one of Hanoch Levin’s earliest works. The Israeli dramatist’s style is often compared to writings of Harold Pinter and Samuel Beckett.
The Odyssey production is helmed by visiting director Yonatan Esterkin, a theater director, writer, translator and teacher based in Tel Aviv.
Dates / Tickets / Special Events
Tickets $25
Performances
Every Saturday at 8pm
Every Sunday at 2pm
Friday on March 24, April 14 at 8pm
Wednesday on March 29 & April 12 & 26 at 8pm
Monday on April 3, 10 & 24 at 8pm
Special Events
Talkbacks Wednesday, March 29, April 24 and April 26 with director Yonatan Esterkin
Pay-What-You-Can Monday at 8pm on 24 (reservations open online and at the door starting at 5:30)
Wine Night Friday March 24 & April 14 (enjoy complimentary wine and snacks after the show)
Running time is 90 minutes with no intermission.
“SPLENDID… Benny Hill meets Samuel Beckett… How primal is the disconnect between people, particularly between men and women? Will there ever be a time we can call it history? I wouldn’t miss this production for laying out those questions so smartly and stylishly… STAGE RAW TOP 10… RECOMMENDED.”
“SEE THIS PLAY!… text and subtext with wonderful performances… unique and beautifully presented.”
“PROVOCATIVE IRONY, HUMOR, BAWDINESS… Theatre as resistance… over-the-top commedia dell’arte personas, never descending into rank slang or clichés.”
“A FARCICAL CRUCIBLE… WITH MUSIC!… A vast fun house full of mirrored ideas, concepts, and perceptions that at first glance may seem illusionary and distorted but look again. The clarity of those reflections is perfection… director Yonatan Esterkin has admirably succeeded in bringing [Israeli playwright Hanoch] Levin to American audiences.”
Credits / Cast / Crew
Production
Written by Hanoch Levin
Directed by Yonatan Esterkin
Music by Alex Kagan
Translated from Hebrew by Naaman Tammuz
Music Director/Pianist Nisha Sujatha Arunasalam
Costume Designer Denise Blasor
Scenic Designer Pete Hickok
Lighting Designer Michael Blendermann
Stage Manager Gabriel E. Jimenez Montes
(l to r) Ilia Volok & Michael Redfield
Photo by Jenny Graham
(l to r) Sera Heywood Rakhimova & Ilia Volok
Photo by Jenny Graham
(l to r)Sera Heywood Rakhimova, Ilia Volok & Michael Redfield
Photo by Jenny Graham
(l to r) Sera Heywood Rakhimova & Michael Redfield
Photo by Jenny Graham
-
May 17, 2025 – Jun 15, 2025 -
May 22, 2025 – Jul 13, 2025