Directed by Kelly O'Donnell
Music Direction by Alexander Sovronsky
Choreography by Katie Stevinson-Nollet
Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel tells the explosive and deeply moving story of the controversial 1923 Broadway debut of Jewish playwright Sholem Asch’s God of Vengeance—a play about a forbidden lesbian romance that enchanted and outraged audiences. We follow the path of the artists who risked their careers in order to perform it. It actively pays tribute to the Yiddish, immigrant families, Jews, theater makers, and the women, specifically the queer women, who are erased from historical narratives. Indecent is a riveting backstage drama filled with music, groundbreaking theatre, and stage magic.
“…marvelous…more than just the re-telling of a long forgotten gem, INDECENT melds fact and fiction with the kind of insight and emotional depth that comes from theatre at its most poetic.” -NY1
“INDECENT ranks as a must-see for anyone who cares about the important legacy of Yiddish theater, or of theater in general. …we are indebted to Vogel…for reminding us of a brave play that fearlessly told the world there’s nothing indecent about love.” -TheaterMania.com
Playhouse on Park has partnered with River Bend Bookstore for this production. Read more here.
Run Time: 1 hour and 45 minutes (no intermission)
Previews (January 25 & 26)
Wednesday at 7:30pm
Thursday at 2:00pm and 7:30pm
Regular Performances (January 27 - February 26)
Friday at 8:00pm
Saturday at 2:00pm and 8:00pm
Sunday at 2:00pm
Tuesday at 2:00pm
Wednesday at 7:30pm
Thursday at 7:30pm
Talk Back with the cast after the Sunday matinee performances.
Young Professionals Night
Wednesday, February 8th
6:00pm reception, 7:30 performance | YP Tickets: $25 each
Click to access our Digital Program.
Special Event: "INDECENT" TALK ABOUT PAULA VOGEL'S INDECENT
The University of Hartford Presidents’ College is partnering with us to give you the riveting backstage drama of Paula Vogel’s INDECENT.
TAUGHT BY FRANK RIZZO! Feb. 7, 12:30 - 2:00pm
Special Event: Post-show Talk Back after Saturday, Feb. 11th performance
Madeline Scotti was set to play the Ingenue in her high school’s (Douglas Anderson School of the Arts) production of Indecent when the show was banned by her school board. Following the initial shutdown, Madeline uploaded an Instagram video detailing the censorship of Indecent and received an international audience. After completing directing and dramaturgical work in Douglas Anderson’s 22/23 season, Madeline looks forward to performing as NINA in her 6th production at D.A., The Seagull! She wants to thank the D.A. Theatre Department, Paula, Rebecca, Adina, and, of course, the entire theatre community for the endless support! From ashes we rise! @scotti.directs (Professional Instagram)
Special Event: Unpacking the Play - INDECENT by Paula Vogel
Anti-semitism, Artistic Freedom, Censorship, Homophobia, Immigration, Jewish Culture, Violence Against Women: Join us for a panel discussion, moderated by CPTV's Ray Hardman, as we take a deeper dive into the story and the themes in INDECENT.
When: Tuesday, February 21, 2023
Time: 7:00-8:30pm
Where: Playhouse on Park
Lobby Exhibit
The Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford will be displaying materials in Playhouse on Park’s lobby to connect audience members to the context of INDECENT. The display will include sheet music covers from Yiddish stage productions in New York, and ads for Yiddish theatrical productions in Hartford from local newspapers, along with information about Hartford’s connections to the Yiddish theater of the early 20th century.
They are also loaning an exhibit panel about entertainer Sophie Tucker, who grew up on Hartford’s East Side, her connections to Yiddish theater, and her own brush with censorship in the 1910s. Learn more about Sophie Tucker in the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford’s online exhibition.
Dramaturgical Casebook
Go deeper into the story of INDECENT and learn about the genesis of the play and some historical context. Click to open the document.
Special Event: NoH8 Photo Shoot
Join the #NOH8 movement in West Hartford, CT and add your face to the fight for equal human rights! Presented by West Hartford Pride
WHERE: Playhouse on Park 244 Park Road West Hartford, CT. 06119
DATE: Monday January 30th, 2023 (Can't make it on Jan, 30th? We are also setting up on Jan 29th at TheaterWorks Hartford from 2-4pm. For more info on that event, click here)
TIME: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
COST: (Tickets not required) Single/Solo Photos: $40 Couple/Group Photos: $25 per person
VIDEO: FOX 61 Interview: Alexander Sovronsky and Daniel Zimberg discuss INDECENT with Angelo Bavaro WATCH
VIDEO: Watch music director Alexander Sovronsky on ArtsBeat WATCH
VIDEO: Director Kelly O'Donnell, actor Helen Laser and Music Director Alexander Sovronsky on WFSB-TV's Great Day Connecticut. WATCH
REVIEW: CT Now (Hartford Courant)
REVIEW: The Howard
REVIEW: From the Desk of Jim R, Take 2
REVIEW: CT Critics - T. Holehan
REVIEW: Stu on Broadway
REVIEW: Bonnie's Blog
REVIEW (Video): One Man's Opinion
REVIEW: Patch.com (N. Sasso Janis)
REVIEW: New Haven Register
REVIEW: Two on the Aisle
Photos: Meredith Longo
NOA GRAHAM (The ELDER: Vera, also Sarah, Mrs. Peretz, Immigrant, Esther Stockton, Madje) Playhouse on Park Debut! Their recent theatre work includes: MITU580 in Brooklyn: ORCHID RECEIPT SERVICE with Asia Kate Dillon; the Tank in NYC THICK BLOOD THICK WATER; Argyros Theater in Ketchum, Idaho: TEA AT FIVE; Troy Foundry Theatre 100 YEARS; and Bridge Street Theatre: CASSE NOISETTE. Film work: Black Ice (short, 2023), Elegy for a Glacier (short, 2022), The Secret Diary of an Exchange Student (2021). Noa lives in Kingston, New York.
DAN KRACKHARDT (The INGENUE: Avram, also Asch, Immigrant, Morris Carnovsky, Eugene O’Neill, John Rosen) Playhouse on Park Debut! Most recently played Parker on Virgin Voyages Cruises under Pig Pen Theatre Company. Some recent favorite roles include: Mason Street Warehouse: Man 3 in GENTLEMEN’S GUIDE…; Cidermill Playhouse: Officer Barrel in URINETOWN. Second City Chicago: Performer/Writer in UPTEMPO.
HELEN LASER (The INGENUE: Chana, also Rifkele, Madje, Elsa, Immigrant, Ruth/Reina, Virginia McFadden, Bagelman sister) Playhouse on Park Debut! Powerhouse Theater: Betsy ANNA; Anne Frank Center of NYC: Anne Frank LETTERS FROM ANNE AND MARTIN; Sharon Playhouse: Ethel THE MUSIC MAN; NJ Repertory Theater: Kaitlyn MRS. KELLER HAS NO SECOND BOOK. Helen studied at Muhlenberg College, Ithaca College, and Oxford.
MICHELLE LEMON (Nelly Friedman, Accordion) Playhouse on Park Debut! Sharon Playhouse: Mimi GUYS & DOLLS, Mrs. Potiphar JOSEPH…DREAMCOAT, Margie CRAZY FOR YOU, Charity ANYTHING GOES; Bucks County CPA: Judy A CHORUS LINE; Skylight Music Theatre: Ensemble MAMMA MIA!; The Phoenix Theatre Company: Ensemble CINDERELLA; Arizona Broadway Theatre: Cagelle/Colette LA CAGE AUX FOLLES; The Millbrook Playhouse: Sister Leo NUNSENSE II; Civic Theatre of Allentown: Nelly Friedman INDECENT. Michelle holds a BFA in Dance from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. www.michellelemon.com @michelleglemon
BEN MCLAUGHLIN (Male Swing) Playhouse on Park Return: Mr. Marks INTIMATE APPAREL, ALL IS CALM. Other select credits: Hole in the Wall Theater: Reverend Hale THE CRUCIBLE; Artfarm: 1st Zanni THE SERVANT OF TWO MASTERS; One-Eyed Jacks Theatre Co: Parker King MURDER FOR HIRE AND OTHER SIMILARLY LIGHT-HEARTED TOPICS OF CONVERSATION, Duncan LEADING LADIES, Brighella/Batman Commedia Dell’POW!; Central Connecticut State University: Trigorin THE SEAGULL, Touchstone AS YOU LIKE IT. Ben graduated from Central Connecticut State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting.
KIRSTEN PEACOCK (The MIDDLE: Halina, also Manke, Immigrant, Freida, Dorothee Nelson/Dine, Dr. Hornig, Bagelman Sister) Playhouse on Park Debut! Cape Rep Theatre: Hallet FROM THE HEART OF THE WRECK, Brooke NOISES OFF; Shakespeare & Company: Kate TAMING OF THE SHREW, Lady Macbeth MACBETH, Desdemona OTHELLO, Ophelia HAMLET, Titania/Hippolyta/Snout A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM; Cutting Ball Theatre (SF): She/Victoria A DREAM PLAY; Exit Theatre (SF): Adele THE AWAKENING. Kirsten hails from the magical Kingdom of Norway. She has a Masters in Directing from The University of Kent (UK) and minored in Theatre, Dance and Performance Arts at UC Berkeley.
BART SHATTO (The ELDER: Otto, also Yekel, Peretz, Schildkraut, Immigrant, Bartender, Judge McIntyre, Asch) is proud to make his Playhouse on Park Debut! Broadway: WAR PAINT (opposite three-time Tony winner Patti Lupone), Valjean LES MISERABLES, THE CIVIL WAR, HANDS ON A HARDBODY, DRACULA: THE MUSICAL. National Tours: LES MISERABLES, THE CIVIL WAR, CATS. Vocalist for symphonic rock band Trans-Siberian Orchestra (since 2002). Original Cast Recordings: Stephen Schwartz's CHILDREN OF EDEN, LIFE OF AN ACTRESS, TARA TREMENDOUS, SESSION GIRLS, THE WORKSHOP. World premieres of Tammy Ryan’s TAR BEACH (Luna Stage), BLACK TOM ISLAND (Premiere Stages), TREASURE ISLAND (The Rev Theatre Company), THE REMARKABLE MISTER HOLMES - as Sherlock Holmes (North Coast Rep), and CHILDREN OF EDEN (Papermill Playhouse). Other Regional: Actors Theatre of Louisville, Ford’s Theatre, North Shore Music Theatre, Bucks County Playhouse. TV: Chicago Fire (NBC) Chicago Med (NBC), Murphy Brown reboot (CBS). Upcoming projects: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF DAVY CROCKETT and Broadway- bound THE BALLAD OF JOHNNY AND JUNE (Johnny Cash Musical) directed by Two-Time Tony winner and 4-time Tony nominee Des McAnuff.
ALEXANDER SOVRONSKY (Music Director, Moriz Godowsky, Violin) is an award-winning Music Director, Composer, and Actor/Musician based in NYC. Some career highlights include: writing and performing the original music onstage for the 2007-2008 Broadway production of CYRANO DE BERGERAC starring Kevin Kline and Jennifer Garner; writing and performing/recording the original music for the NY Premiere of Jane Anderson's MOTHER OF THE MAID at The Public Theatre starring Glenn Close; and creating a new score for Paula Vogel's INDECENT at Arena Stage, KC Rep, and Baltimore Center Stage. As a multi-instrumentalist and actor, his work has been seen all over the world including on Broadway, Off-Broadway, at The Denver Center, Seattle Rep, CT Rep, PA Shakespeare Festival, Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park, Shakespeare Theatre of NJ, Hartford Stage, Arizona Theatre Company, The Walnut Street Theatre, Shakespeare & Company, Barrington Stage, Teatro Franco Parenti in Milan Italy, and many other places. With an MFA from the Academy for Classical Acting at GW University with the Shakespeare Theatre of DC, Alexander has created original workshops delving into Shakespeare's use of music and sound in his plays to connect with his audience. His workshops have been hosted at The Blackfriars Conference at the American Shakespeare Center, and many universities and colleges. For a good time, check out www.AlexanderSovronsky.com or follow him on IG at @Alexander Sovronsky
JACK THEILING - He/Him (Meyer Balsam, Clarinet) Playhouse on Park Debut! Repertory Theatre of St. Louis: Ensemble OSLO; Virgin Voyages/PigPen Theatre Co: Logan PHANTOM FOLKTALES; Max & Louie Productions: Meyer Balsam INDECENT; Webster Conservatory: Alan PICNIC, Ensemble/Sword Dancer BRIGADOON. Jack received his BFA in Musical Theatre from The Webster Conservatory of Theatre Arts. Instagram: @jacktheiling
DAN ZIMBERG (Lemml) is humbled to be making his debut at Playhouse on Park as part of this very important piece of work. Dan recently toured with TheaterWorksUSA: PETE THE CAT; performed at Axelrod Arts Center: Eddie Mush A BRONX TALE; Seven Angels Theater: Sam Butera THE WILDEST.
SYDNEY WEISER (Female Swing) is a New York-based actor and director making her Playhouse on Park Debut! Favorite regional credits include: Sandy THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL; Columbia THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW; Betty Jean THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES; Ella WINDYWOO… NAUGHTY PETS; Christmas Past A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Sydney grew up in West Hartford and received her BFA in musical theatre and directing from Marymount Manhattan College.
