New Yiddish Rep
presents
The Gospel According To Chaim
An original Yiddish Drama
by Mikhl Yashinsky
direc ted by Dmitri Barcomi
Cast
Gabe. Josh Horowitz & Sruli Rosenberg
Chaim Mikhl Yashinsky
Sadie. Melissa Weisz
Design
Set Mengyi Liu
Lights Alex Bartenieff
Projections QiXin Zhang
Costumes Gail Cooper-Hecht
Sound. Luca Evans
Executive Producer
Ben Feldman
Runnung time 1:45 i
including 10 minute intermission
Mikhl Yashinsky (Playwright; Chaim)
Mikhl Yashinsky was born in Detroit and educated at Harvard. He works as an actor, writer, and teacher in Manhattan. Mikhl is a lecturer in Yiddish at Columbia and a co-author of the Yiddish Book Center’s award-winning Yiddish language textbook In eynem. He has performed with the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene in the Yiddish-language Fiddler on the Roof directed by Joel Grey, the title role of Di kishef-makherin (The Sorceress), and, recently, Tsvishn falndike vent (Amid Falling Walls). In January, he made his solo singing début at Carnegie Hall, performing the anthem of the Vilna partisans at the Holocaust Remembrance Day concert “We Are Here.” As a fellow of the LABA Laboratory for Jewish Culture, he is writing a Yiddish-language musical with klezmer band Mamaliga, Sude fun di zibn zindikers (Feast of the Seven Sinners). His Yiddish-language erotic drama Vos flist durkhn oder (Blessing of the New Moon) premièred at the Lower East Side Play Festival in 2022. His translation of the memoirs of Ester-Rokhl Kaminska, the so-called “Mama of Yiddish Theatre,” is forthcoming from Bloomsbury. yashinsky.com | instagram.com/mikhldarling
Melissa Weisz (Sadie)
Melissa Weisz is an actor, writer, and producer who grew up in the chasidic community of Brooklyn. She is thrilled to be back at the New Yiddish Rep where she made her stage debut in their New York Times Critic’s Pick production of God of Vengeance as Manke. Additional previous NYR credits include Di Froyen (The Women) which she wrote and starred in.
TV credits include: Unorthodox, High Maintenance, Little America. Film credits include : Romeo and Juliet in Yiddish, Felix et Meira, Tzadeikis.
Melissa was featured in Vogue’s “American Women in Transformation” and the Jewish Week’s “36 Under 36: Millennials Pushing Change through Compassion.” Melissa is the host of The Forbidden Apple podcast which explores the complex relationship between queerness and religion and was a 2023 LABA fellow. For more, melissaweisz.com.
Joshua Horowitz (Gabe)
Joshua Horowitz is a recent graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts Performance Studies and Jewish Studies. He is delighted to make his first appearance on the Yiddish stage and his professional debut with New Yiddish Rep in Di psure loyt khaim.He has studied Yiddish at New York University, the Yiddish Book Center’s Steiner Summer Yiddish Program, and with the Workers Circle, and is very excited to put that study to good use. | @absolutelynotjosh
Sruli Rosenberg (Gabe)
Sruli Rosenberg is a multidisciplinary artist and a native Yiddish speaker from Brooklyn. He is thrilled to be making his theatrical debut with the New Yiddish Rep. A groyser yasher koach to David Mandelbaum and Dimitri Barcomi for this wonderful Yiddish opportunity.
Dmitri Barcome
Dmitri Barcomi is a theater creator, director, and designer from New York City. He has worked with New Yiddish Rep since 2016 and is excited to bring his passion for new works and the Yiddish language together in this production. New York credits: Lincoln Center, Target Margin, Ars Nova, HERE Arts, La MaMa, The Brick, other weird spots downtown. International: Edinburgh Fringe, Teatr Słowackiego (Kraków). BA: Eugene Lang College, MFA directing candidate, Columbia University. Dmitri is also founder of the newly opened Museum of Drag! mxbarcomi.com | @dmxbarcomi
Mengyi Liu (Scenic Designer) is a NYC-based scenic designer. Graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with her MFA in Scenic Design, Mengyi has designed musical, play and opera at various venues: Pittsburgh Opera, TADA! Youth Theater, Theater for the New City, Gene Frankel Theater and United Nation International School. Mengyi also worked at Hudson Scenic and Fordham University, Theater Department. Mengyi is thrilled to be part of this production, and she hopes you enjoy the show! mengyiliu.com | @mengyi_liu_yap
Qixin Zhang (Projection Designer)
Qixin Zhang is an interdisciplinary multi-media artist and collaborative designer, seamlessly blending art and technology to create transformative experiences. With a diverse cultural background encompassing both east and west influences, her work reflects a harmonious fusion of creative perspectives. Qixin’s art bridges dimensions, utilizing media in innovative ways to captivate audiences and inspire connections. Guided by empathy and a passion for cultural exchange, they strive to leave an indelible mark on the world through their imaginative and unseen creations. Carnegie Mellon University, 2023, MFA. Website: ultrablack.xyz | @ultrablacki
Alexander Bartenieff (Lighting Designer)
Recent credits include: Pulitzer winner Nilo Cruz’s production of “Sotto Voice” (TNC/MDCA), “Tally’s Folly” starring Jude Hirsch (HB Studios Theater), the premieres of Mario Fratti’s “Three Sisters and a Priest”, Eduardo Machado’s “NOT ABOUT ME” and TNC’s LES and DREAM UP FESTIVALS, “A Streetcar Named Desire” (Cherry Lane) “Lillian Yuralia“ (La Mama) directed by Austin Pendelton, “Orson’s Shadow” by Austin Pendleton (Theater Row) “Obama in Naples” (Abingdon Theater). He is currently the Theater Technical Coordinator at NYC Parks (Von King Cultural Arts Center) Upcoming shows: African Peach and How to Make Friends and Kill Them.
Luca Evans (sound designer) is an award-winning audio producer, sound designer, filmmaker and drag king who works across the US and UK. They’re thrilled to be making their Yiddish stage debut with this show and are sure their grandma would be proud.
@l_ucaevans
Aléjandra Herreros (stage manager) Aléjandra Herreros (stage manager) is a NYC based Actor, Director, and Stage manager. She is extremely excited to be working on an original play and is grateful to David and Dmitri for giving her this chance! Previous credits include: OFF BROADWAY- The Little Match Girl: The musical (Assistant stage manager, theater row) Uncensored 2017 and 2019 (Actor, MCC Theater) Regional- Romeo and Juliet (Graycliff Buffalo, Assistant Director). She is also a proud soon-to-be alumni of SUNY Fredonia class of ‘24! Credits earned there include The Normal Heart, Pipeline(ASM) Radium Girls, Romeo and Juliet (Assistant Director)! Upcoming- The Crucible (Ann Puntham)! She wants to thank her family for always being there as well as her MCC Youth company family and her friends! As Well as her educators Dee, Carrie, Mr. Weisman, Ms. Gilles, Sam, Nestor, Ted, and Dan for pushing her to be the best artist she can be and for helping nurture her growth and love for theater! You can see her adventures and projects on her instagram @ale71301.