L’Chaim

A Toast to the Jewish Legacy of Broadway

From the stages of the lower east side to the bright lights of Broadway, L’Chaim is a musical journey that pays tribute to the Jewish legacy of musical theatre by exploring and celebrating the unique role of Jewish composers and lyricists.

Rooted in history, heritage, and tradition, four Jewish performers bring to life the most iconic songs from the stage of past and present and the historical stories that go with them.

Featuring favorite selections form musicals such as Fiddler on the Roof, South Pacific, West Side Story, The Sound of Music, The Wizard of Oz, Guys & Dolls, Funny Girl, The Little Shop of Horrors, Cabaret, On the Town, Company, Les Miserables, and more! 

Artists

Gordon Greenberg

(Director/Writer) Gordon Greenberg has directed on Broadway, Off-Broadway, in London’s West End, written for television and stage, and developed, directed and produced new works for arts institutions across America.  Current Directing/Writing projects include the NBC television series Most Talkative (Co-Executive Producer/Writer, NBC, Blumhouse, Andy Cohen), a new musical about Picasso starring Antonio Banderas (directing & co-writing with Stephen Schwartz & Caridad Svich for Trafalgar Entertainment), Crime and Punishment, A Comedy for the Old Globe (co-writer Steve Rosen), The Secret of My Success for Universal Pictures Stage Productions (co-writers, Steve Rosen, Michael Mahler & Alan Schmuckler), Dracula, A Comedy of Terrors (Off-Broadway, 2023 & podcast starring John Stamos, Laura Benanti, & Annaleigh Ashford, co-writer Steve Rosen), the new comedy podcast series Rolling Calls starring Julie Halston & Richard Kind (co-writer, Steve Rosen), The Heart of Rock and Roll, the Huey Lewis Musical, which had a record breaking run at The Old Globe and is scheduled to premiere on Broadway next season, and Houdini (directing & co-writing with Frank Wildhorn.) Other directing/writing work includes: the Broadway stage adaptation of Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn at Studio 54 for Roundabout Theatre Company, Universal Pictures Stage Productions, and PBS Television’s Great Performances, the West End revival of Guys and Dolls was nominated for six Olivier Awards at the Savoy Theatre and then transferred to the Phoenix Theatre (starring Rebel Wilson), Who’s Afraid of Virgina Woolf starring Calista Flockhart and Zachary Quinto at the Geffen Theatre in Los Angeles, the North American premiere of Piaf/Dietrich for Mirvish in Toronto (Dora Award, Best Production), Barnum (Menier Chocolate Factory, London), The Secret Party: Jacques Brel 1968 (Das Vindobona, Vienna, Austria), Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big [Your Town Here] Christmas Show! in its third season at the Old Globe (co-writer Steve Rosen), the stage adaptation of Tangled (Disney), Johnny Baseball (Williamstown), Working (Drama Desk Award, adapted with Stephen Schwartz and Lin-Manuel Miranda), Jacques Brel…(Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics Award noms), Terms of Endearment with Alfred Molina & Calista Flockhart (Geffen Playhouse for Greg Berlanti), Stars of David by Jeanine Tesori, Tom Kitt, Tony Kushner (Daryl Roth), Pirates! (created with Nell Benjamin, Huntington, Paper Mill, Goodspeed, MUNY), Band Geeks! (also co-writer, Goodspeed, NEA grant), The Baker’s Wife (Paper Mill, Goodspeed), 1776 (Paper Mill), Floyd Collins (Signature), Emerald City Music Hall, an original movie musical for Nickelodeon Television and Scramble Band, an original movie musical for the Disney Channel. He is also deeply involved in arts education and is Co-Director of The BROADWAY TEACHING GROUP, Broadway’s largest education program, in conjunction with Music Theatre International and Playbill.  

Gordon Greenberg

(Director/Writer) Gordon Greenberg has directed on Broadway, Off-Broadway, in London’s West End, written for television and stage, and developed, directed and produced new works for arts institutions across America.  Current Directing/Writing projects include the NBC television series Most Talkative (Co-Executive Producer/Writer, NBC, Blumhouse, Andy Cohen), a new musical about Picasso starring Antonio Banderas (directing & co-writing with Stephen Schwartz & Caridad Svich for Trafalgar Entertainment), Crime and Punishment, A Comedy for the Old Globe (co-writer Steve Rosen), The Secret of My Success for Universal Pictures Stage Productions (co-writers, Steve Rosen, Michael Mahler & Alan Schmuckler), Dracula, A Comedy of Terrors (Off-Broadway, 2023 & podcast starring John Stamos, Laura Benanti, & Annaleigh Ashford, co-writer Steve Rosen), the new comedy podcast series Rolling Calls starring Julie Halston & Richard Kind (co-writer, Steve Rosen), The Heart of Rock and Roll, the Huey Lewis Musical, which had a record breaking run at The Old Globe and is scheduled to premiere on Broadway next season, and Houdini (directing & co-writing with Frank Wildhorn.) Other directing/writing work includes: the Broadway stage adaptation of Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn at Studio 54 for Roundabout Theatre Company, Universal Pictures Stage Productions, and PBS Television’s Great Performances, the West End revival of Guys and Dolls was nominated for six Olivier Awards at the Savoy Theatre and then transferred to the Phoenix Theatre (starring Rebel Wilson), Who’s Afraid of Virgina Woolf starring Calista Flockhart and Zachary Quinto at the Geffen Theatre in Los Angeles, the North American premiere of Piaf/Dietrich for Mirvish in Toronto (Dora Award, Best Production), Barnum (Menier Chocolate Factory, London), The Secret Party: Jacques Brel 1968 (Das Vindobona, Vienna, Austria), Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big [Your Town Here] Christmas Show! in its third season at the Old Globe (co-writer Steve Rosen), the stage adaptation of Tangled (Disney), Johnny Baseball (Williamstown), Working (Drama Desk Award, adapted with Stephen Schwartz and Lin-Manuel Miranda), Jacques Brel…(Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics Award noms), Terms of Endearment with Alfred Molina & Calista Flockhart (Geffen Playhouse for Greg Berlanti), Stars of David by Jeanine Tesori, Tom Kitt, Tony Kushner (Daryl Roth), Pirates! (created with Nell Benjamin, Huntington, Paper Mill, Goodspeed, MUNY), Band Geeks! (also co-writer, Goodspeed, NEA grant), The Baker’s Wife (Paper Mill, Goodspeed), 1776 (Paper Mill), Floyd Collins (Signature), Emerald City Music Hall, an original movie musical for Nickelodeon Television and Scramble Band, an original movie musical for the Disney Channel. He is also deeply involved in arts education and is Co-Director of The BROADWAY TEACHING GROUP, Broadway’s largest education program, in conjunction with Music Theatre International and Playbill.  

Dana Steingold

Broadway/national tours: Beetlejuice, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Off-Broadway/New York: Avenue Q, The Visit, Saturday Night, Anyone Can Whistle (Encores!). Regional includes Paper Mill Playhouse, North  Shore Music Theatre, George Street, Westport  Country Playhouse, Barrington Stage, Baltimore Center Stage, KC Rep, North Carolina Theatre, Two River, Weston Playhouse. TV: Saraline on Nickelodeon’s “Welcome to the Wayne,” “Inventing Anna.” @dsteinface

Dana Steingold

Broadway/national tours: Beetlejuice, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Off-Broadway/New York: Avenue Q, The Visit, Saturday Night, Anyone Can Whistle (Encores!). Regional includes Paper Mill Playhouse, North  Shore Music Theatre, George Street, Westport  Country Playhouse, Barrington Stage, Baltimore Center Stage, KC Rep, North Carolina Theatre, Two River, Weston Playhouse. TV: Saraline on Nickelodeon’s “Welcome to the Wayne,” “Inventing Anna.” @dsteinface

Andrew Kober

Broadway: Beetlejuice, School of Rock, Sunday in the Park with George, Beautiful, She Loves Me, Les Miserables, and Hair. Off-Broadway and regional: Roundabout, MCC, NYTW, four summers at Shakespeare in the Park. TV: “Law & Order” (NBC), “FBI: Most Wanted” (CBS) “Fosse/Verdon”, “Pose” (FX), “Ray Donovan” (Showtime), “House of Cards” (Netflix), “Boardwalk Empire”, “The Plot Against America” (HBO), “Blue Bloods” (CBS).

Andrew Kober

Broadway: Beetlejuice, School of Rock, Sunday in the Park with George, Beautiful, She Loves Me, Les Miserables, and Hair. Off-Broadway and regional: Roundabout, MCC, NYTW, four summers at Shakespeare in the Park. TV: “Law & Order” (NBC), “FBI: Most Wanted” (CBS) “Fosse/Verdon”, “Pose” (FX), “Ray Donovan” (Showtime), “House of Cards” (Netflix), “Boardwalk Empire”, “The Plot Against America” (HBO), “Blue Bloods” (CBS).

Jill Abramovitz

Broadway credits include Beetlejuice, Fiddler on the Roof (Grandma Tzeitel), Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, 9 to 5, Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me.

Jill Abramovitz

Broadway credits include Beetlejuice, Fiddler on the Roof (Grandma Tzeitel), Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, 9 to 5, Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me.

Greg Kamp

Catch Me If You Can (National Tour), Barry Manilow’s Harmony (Alliance/Ahmanson Theatre), Saturday Night (York Theatre), FootlooseThe Wedding Singer (Pittsburgh CLO), Newsies(Aurora Theatre/ Atlanta Lyric), I Am Harvey Milk (Avery Fisher Hall), Titanic (Hangar Theatre). TV: “Wronged Man” (Lifetime), “Past Life” (Fox), and “Solving Charlie” (ABC). Greg holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from CCM and is the co-creator of MT SHORTS, a platform that produces original musical short film

Greg Kamp

Catch Me If You Can (National Tour), Barry Manilow’s Harmony (Alliance/Ahmanson Theatre), Saturday Night (York Theatre), FootlooseThe Wedding Singer (Pittsburgh CLO), Newsies(Aurora Theatre/ Atlanta Lyric), I Am Harvey Milk (Avery Fisher Hall), Titanic (Hangar Theatre). TV: “Wronged Man” (Lifetime), “Past Life” (Fox), and “Solving Charlie” (ABC). Greg holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from CCM and is the co-creator of MT SHORTS, a platform that produces original musical short film

Farah Alvin
Farah Alvin has appeared on Broadway in the TONY award winning revival of Nine as well as It Shoulda Been You, The Look of Love, Saturday Night Fever, Grease and MSG’s A Christmas Carol. Off-Broadway, she most recently starred in the York Theatre Company’s The Jerusalem Syndrome. Other Off-Broadway credits include Enter LaughingThe Marvelous Wonderettes (Drama Desk Nomination), I Love You Because, Window Treatment, Goldstein, Last Smoker In America, Kuni-Leml. She has worked in many of the country’s esteemed regional theaters including the Goodspeed Opera House, Papermill Playhouse, Signature Theater, and the historic Cape Playhouse. Farah has performed with the National Symphonies of the United States and Canada. Her albums On Vinyl and Someday as well as many cast recordings are available wherever you listen to music. Follow Farah on instagram, facebook, spotify and at farahalvin.com.
Farah Alvin
Farah Alvin has appeared on Broadway in the TONY award winning revival of Nine as well as It Shoulda Been You, The Look of Love, Saturday Night Fever, Grease and MSG’s A Christmas Carol. Off-Broadway, she most recently starred in the York Theatre Company’s The Jerusalem Syndrome. Other Off-Broadway credits include Enter LaughingThe Marvelous Wonderettes (Drama Desk Nomination), I Love You Because, Window Treatment, Goldstein, Last Smoker In America, Kuni-Leml. She has worked in many of the country’s esteemed regional theaters including the Goodspeed Opera House, Papermill Playhouse, Signature Theater, and the historic Cape Playhouse. Farah has performed with the National Symphonies of the United States and Canada. Her albums On Vinyl and Someday as well as many cast recordings are available wherever you listen to music. Follow Farah on instagram, facebook, spotify and at farahalvin.com.
Jennifer Apple

Jennifer is a multi-hyphenated artist from NYC, who is In playful pursuit of truth, vulnerability, & empathy in the arts. She originated the role of Anna in the 10x Tony Award-winning “The Band’s Visit” First National Tour and received the 2024 Elliott Norton Award for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical for Dina in “The Band’s Visit” at the Huntington/SpeakEasy Stage. With performances at esteemed theaters like The Huntington Theatre, Chautauqua Theater Company, American Conservatory Theater, Goodspeed Musicals, and Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, Jennifer has made her mark on both stage and screen, with TV credits including “New Amsterdam” and a recur on “Law & Order: SVU.” She has an MFA in Acting from the American Conservatory Theater, has workshopped numerous new plays and musicals, and lent her voice to multiple original cast recordings.  Jennifer’s mission is to empower others to embody their truest selves, so they can confidently and authentically express themselves with integrity in everything they do. As a passionate acting coach, she specializes in helping artists find new monologues through Monologue Sourcing, teaches strategy for breaking down text, and prepares folks for BFA/MFA auditions and general auditions. Jennifer is the founder and executive director of the Empowered Artist Collective, a community for women and non-binary artists to help foster sustainable and thriving careers in the arts. She hosts The Empowered Artist Collective Podcast, sharing valuable insights and advice for artists at all stages of their journeys. Discover more at www.JenniferApple.net or www.EmpoweredArtistCollective.com and follow her journey on Instagram at @JenniferApple_

Jennifer Apple

Jennifer is a multi-hyphenated artist from NYC, who is In playful pursuit of truth, vulnerability, & empathy in the arts. She originated the role of Anna in the 10x Tony Award-winning “The Band’s Visit” First National Tour and received the 2024 Elliott Norton Award for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical for Dina in “The Band’s Visit” at the Huntington/SpeakEasy Stage. With performances at esteemed theaters like The Huntington Theatre, Chautauqua Theater Company, American Conservatory Theater, Goodspeed Musicals, and Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, Jennifer has made her mark on both stage and screen, with TV credits including “New Amsterdam” and a recur on “Law & Order: SVU.” She has an MFA in Acting from the American Conservatory Theater, has workshopped numerous new plays and musicals, and lent her voice to multiple original cast recordings.  Jennifer’s mission is to empower others to embody their truest selves, so they can confidently and authentically express themselves with integrity in everything they do. As a passionate acting coach, she specializes in helping artists find new monologues through Monologue Sourcing, teaches strategy for breaking down text, and prepares folks for BFA/MFA auditions and general auditions. Jennifer is the founder and executive director of the Empowered Artist Collective, a community for women and non-binary artists to help foster sustainable and thriving careers in the arts. She hosts The Empowered Artist Collective Podcast, sharing valuable insights and advice for artists at all stages of their journeys. Discover more at www.JenniferApple.net or www.EmpoweredArtistCollective.com and follow her journey on Instagram at @JenniferApple_

Matthew Amira

Matthew just completed the world premiere run of Gatsby: An American Myth at the American Repertory Theatre, where he originated the role of Wilson (directed by Tony Winner Rachel Chavkin, music by Florence Welch and Thomas Bartlett). Broadway National Tours: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical and Dirty Dancing. Favorite credits include Rocky Balboa in Rocky, The Musical (Philadelphia’s Walnut Street Theatre), Gerry Goffin in Beautiful (Ogunquit Playhouse, Tuacahn Center for the Arts), Brick in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Walnut Street Theatre), Nick Massi in Jersey Boys (Sacramento Music Circus, Ogunquit Playhouse, Fulton Theatre). Bob Wallace in Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (Lexington Theatre Co.) TV: The Equalizer. BFA: Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Musical Theatre.

Matthew Amira

Matthew just completed the world premiere run of Gatsby: An American Myth at the American Repertory Theatre, where he originated the role of Wilson (directed by Tony Winner Rachel Chavkin, music by Florence Welch and Thomas Bartlett). Broadway National Tours: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical and Dirty Dancing. Favorite credits include Rocky Balboa in Rocky, The Musical (Philadelphia’s Walnut Street Theatre), Gerry Goffin in Beautiful (Ogunquit Playhouse, Tuacahn Center for the Arts), Brick in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Walnut Street Theatre), Nick Massi in Jersey Boys (Sacramento Music Circus, Ogunquit Playhouse, Fulton Theatre). Bob Wallace in Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (Lexington Theatre Co.) TV: The Equalizer. BFA: Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Musical Theatre.

Bálint Varga

(Music Director) originally from Budapest, Hungary, Balint is a NY-based writer, conductor, and immigration advocate. First, he graduated from Béla Bartók Conservatory, later he moved to America and studied composition and conducting at Berklee College of Music.
His work has been performed at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Birdland, Symphony Hall, 54 Below.

He received his US Green Card for extraordinary abilities based on his achievement in his field.

Notable writing credits: Yasuke – The Black Samurai, d’ILLUSION, Hypatia and the Heathens, Reflections, Gailley and the Tale of the Fate Keeper, Where We Rush To Disappear

He’s the recipient of the Charles Mayer Grant, a Jonathan Larson Award finalist, and a proud member of the Dramatists Guild and the Lehman Engel BMI Advanced Musical Theatre Workshop.

Balint also collaborated on Broadway workshops such as Elton John’s Tammy Faye, Jim Steinman’s Bat Out Of Hell, Mariah Carey’s Christmas show, and Forest Whitaker’s Benefit Concert. He wrote special choral arrangements for Josh Groban.  BALINTVARGA.COM

Bálint Varga

(Music Director) originally from Budapest, Hungary, Balint is a NY-based writer, conductor, and immigration advocate. First, he graduated from Béla Bartók Conservatory, later he moved to America and studied composition and conducting at Berklee College of Music.
His work has been performed at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Birdland, Symphony Hall, 54 Below.

He received his US Green Card for extraordinary abilities based on his achievement in his field.

Notable writing credits: Yasuke – The Black Samurai, d’ILLUSION, Hypatia and the Heathens, Reflections, Gailley and the Tale of the Fate Keeper, Where We Rush To Disappear

He’s the recipient of the Charles Mayer Grant, a Jonathan Larson Award finalist, and a proud member of the Dramatists Guild and the Lehman Engel BMI Advanced Musical Theatre Workshop.

Balint also collaborated on Broadway workshops such as Elton John’s Tammy Faye, Jim Steinman’s Bat Out Of Hell, Mariah Carey’s Christmas show, and Forest Whitaker’s Benefit Concert. He wrote special choral arrangements for Josh Groban.  BALINTVARGA.COM

L'Chaim