The creators of Rutka, a powerful new musical inspired by the true story of 14-year-old Rutka Laskier, who kept a journal of her experience living in a Jewish Ghetto during World War II, return to their hometown this November for a series of multimedia events offering audiences an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at the making of the show.
Following its world premiere in October 2024 at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Rutka has moved audiences and garnered critical acclaim with its honesty, emotion, and contemporary indie-folk-rock score. The musical tells the story of a teenage girl living in the Jewish ghetto of Będzin, Poland in 1943, capturing her courage, imagination, and belief in hope and humanity during history’s darkest moments.
The show’s lead producers, Amy Langer and David B. Schwartz, are both graduates of Miami’s New World School of the Arts and proud Miami natives. They first met in the seventh grade as students at Miami’s Southwood Junior High/South Center for the Arts, performing together in The Music Man. Their Miami roots, they say, remain a defining part of their creative lives.
Presented in partnership with the Michael-Ann Russell JCC, Alper JCC Miami, and Miami Beach JCC, each of the three special behind-the-scenes events will include live performances from the show featuring New World School of the Arts performers singing a few songs from RUTKA, along with a discussion with Langer and Schwartz.
“Bringing Rutka home feels incredibly special,” said Langer and Schwartz. “This story reminds us that even in unimaginable times, young people can choose empathy, courage, and love. Sharing that message with our hometown community means the world to us.”
Rutka, written by Neena Beber (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), also a Miami native, with music by Jocelyn Mackenzie and Jeremy Lloyd-Styles (of the Brooklyn-based indie-rock band Pearl and the Beard) explores friendship, resilience, and compassion through a modern musical lens.
The production is produced by David Schwartz and Amy Langer of Think System Productions, executive produced by the Tony Award-winning Cody Lassen & Associates (producers of Broadway’s Spring Awakening andIndecent, among many others), with general management by KGM Theatrical.
Said Amy Langer, “At its heart, Rutka is a story about young people finding light in the dark, and the enduring power of empathy to build a better world.”
More information about Rutka: www.rutkathemusical.com.
Behind the Scenes of Rutka Event Schedule:
Michael-Ann Russell JCC
18900 NE 125th Street
North Miami, FL 33160
Wednesday, November 5, 7:30 pm
MAR-JCC & Temple Sinai members, Students & Seniors: $10
General Admission: $15
Alper JCC Miami
11155 SW 112 Street
Miami, Fl 33156
Tuesday, November 18, 7:30pm
Tickets: Alper JCC Miami and Temple Beth Am Members: $10
Miami Beach JCC
4221 Pinetree Drive
Miami Beach, Fl 33141
Wednesday, November 19, 7:30 pm
Tickets: Miami Beach JCC and Temple Beth Sholom Members: $10
Noam@mbjcc.org
