The Witches of Lublin
by Ellen Kushner, Yale Strom & Elizabeth Schwartz
Music composed and arranged by Yale Strom
Cover Art & Design: Ilene Winn-Lederer
Produced by SueMedia Productions
Ellen Kushner teamed up with klezmer vocalist and screenwriter Elizabeth Schwartz and violinist/composer/filmmaker/ethnographer Yale Strom to create what they called their “Historical-Feminist-Klezmer-Shtetl-Magic Realist-Musical Radio Drama.”
An award-winning audio drama based on true and little-known history of Jewish women’s lives in 18th Century Europe. Featuring Tovah Feldshuh, Simon Jones, Neil Gaiman, Barbara Rosenblat, and a cast of New York City’s finest Broadway and audio talent!
The Witches of Lublin was commissioned by the Michigan Festival of Sacred Music, and had its workshop premiere there in 2007. Through the generosity of the New York theater community, two more workshop readings were held, revisions made, and a final script completed. When Director/Producer Sue Zizza joined the team, the audio drama was cast, and then recorded at the studios of Hofstra University on Long Island. The Witches of Lublin premiered on radio stations nationwide in April 2011, and is also available as a CD and Audiobook.
For a complete cast list, historical background, the artwork and even great Passover recipes from our cast, visit the Witches of Lublin website.
GET YOUR OWN COPY OF
THE WITCHES OF LUBLIN:
* Download the Audiobook, featuring “The Devil’s Brides,” extended music from The Witches of Lublin performed by Yale Strom & Hot Pstromi, featuring vocalist Elizabeth Schwartz, narrated by Miriam Margolyes
* Order the CD as either 1-hour drama or 2-CD Special “Collectors’ Edition”
“A first-rate production about culture and women, music and storytelling, magic and spirituality, the love between a family, and the love between two young people. It’s beautiful and haunting — a heartbreaker of audio drama, jam packed with amazing music and sound effects — but all of that goes toward enhancing the story, not detracting from it. This is in no small part to the performances — particularly Tovah Feldshuh as Rivke…. The rest of the cast does a great job supporting Feldshuh. As Sofia, Elizabeth Boskey’s stunning voice captures innocence, idealism, and naivete. Simon Jones gives real menace and privilege to Graf Sobiesky.”
— Dave Thompson, “Music Bridging our Profane World to the Holiness of the World to Come,” The AudioBookaneers
“I love the meticulous, evocative layering of voice and effects . . .[T]extured and touching work from a great cast.”
— David Cote, Time Out New York
AWARDS
* 2012 Wilbur Award: Best Single Program, Radio
* 2012 Grace Allen Award: Best Director
* 2012 Gabriel Award: Arts, Local Release, Radio
Audie Award Finalist:
* Distinguished Achievement in Production
* Best Original Work
* Best Package Design