Lortel Artists Buzz
From first sparks of inspiration to performances across the country and around the world, we celebrate the next stages for plays and musicals developed at the Lortel.
New Play Development Program
The Last Yiddish Speaker
By Deborah Zoe Laufer
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Had NNPN rolling world preem in 2024 at Philadelphia’s Interact Theatre, Oregon Contemporary Theatre, and Theatre Lab in Boca Raton, Florida.
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The play also won the 2024 Jewish New Play Prize and the 2025 Carbonell Award for Outstanding New Work.
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The play has since then been seen at Jewish Theatre of Oklahoma, Berna Productions in British Columbia, Mildred’s Umbrella Theatre in Houston, Six Points Theatre in Minnesota, Theatre Or in Denver and Chai Life Productions in Calgary.
OUT THE MUD
By Kristen Adele Calhoun
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Had developmental premiere spring 2026 at Firehouse Theatre in Richmond, Virginia)
Bodega Princess
By Iraisa Ann Reilly
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Premiered fall 2025 as a co-pro with the Lortel and EST and Latinx Playwrights Circle.
Racist Actor
By Daniel York Loh
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Developed through Alcove’s Digital Stage will premiere at the Omnibus Theatre in London in February 2027 with a global livestream on February 13, 2027.
Yellow Wallpaper 2.0 2020
By Jennifer Maisel
- Commissioned and developed through Alcove’s Digital Stage, produced by Great Barrington Public Theater, is on the boards in the Berkshires playing August 20th-September 6th, 2026
New Musical Development Program
- EP of COAL coming out this fall.
The Break
Book and lyrics by Christopher Dimond, Music by Michael Kooman
- A production of THE BREAK will happen at Centre Stage in Greenville opening February 2027.
- Their production of FINN will have a NY premiere an Atlantic Theater later this year.
Legendary
Book, music and lyrics by Cheeyang Ng
- 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe running from August 5-31st at the Friesian, Underbelly (Bristo Square)
Bandit Queen
Book and lyrics by Sami Horneff, Book and music by Amanda D’Archangelis
- Rhinebeck Writers Retreat in August
- Will present the show at Phoenix Theatre Company New Works Festival in December 2026
Little Duende
Book & lyrics by Georgina Escobar, Music & lyrics by Robi Hager
- Presenting work at 2026 The Latinx Theatre Commons Carnaval of New LatinX Musicals August 2026