Author! Author! - an evening with Sholom Aleichem

100 reviews! 100 raves!

Author! Author! had its World Premiere at the Santa Monica Playhouse in May of 1976, as a celebration of the beloved author’s Yahrzeit, with Chris DeCarlo in the title role.

“Warm and funny…spirited and entertaining.  LA TIMES

It broke all Box Office records by playing for an unprecedented 4½ years in its initial run...

“GO! You won’t be sorry! Consummately acted and handsomely mounted!…A superb ensemble…the rousing score by Ben Weisman energetically compliments the buoyant ethnic flavor of the material.” Backstage West

It has been seen by more than a quarter of a million audience members...

"Author! Author! – an evening with Sholom Aleichem offers S.E.X. appeal - That translates into S=Sparkling, E=Enchanting, X=that ‘X Factor’ that marks a Jewish themed production also filled with a storyline of universal appeal. The story tracks immigrant and life issues punctuating these with sweetly flowing songs and fun production numbers that bring out the flavor of the early 1900’s. Chris DeCarlo seems born to play the role of the gentle, witty and wise Aleichem. The show is well mounted, featuring a professional, versatile, talented cast. It’s the perfect night of theatre." The Tolucan Times

To celebrate the show's 50th Anniversary and the 110th anniversary of Sholom Aleichem’s yahrzeit, “AUTHOR! AUTHOR! - an evening with Sholom Aleichem,” the joyous, hilarious, touching, and ever-popular classic musical comedy, Actors' Repertory Theatre brings you a special one-month-only limited engagement.

“A delightfully enchanting show, full of finger snapping melodies and whimsical humor to dedicate anyone’s evening with bountiful laughter.” University Times

 It's a magical, musical melee at once glorious and gentle, bold and bittersweet, mirthful and romantic, inviting audiences of all ages to celebrate the humor and wisdom of Sholom Aleichem as Chris DeCarlo reprises his award-winning portrayal of the world’s most beloved Yiddish author.

"Anyone who’s seen Fiddler on the Roof, also adapted from Aleichem tales, knows what to expect in Author! Author! For this play, with music by Ben Weisman, Rudie and DeCarlo have used the author’s recollections of his growing up years, the shy (and hilarious) courtship of this first girlfriend that withstood yentas, chaperones, and religious tradition, and his first, and then many ship voyages from Europe to New York and the immigrant populated Lower East Side, for personal appearances in conjunction with the popularity of his writings in Yiddish books and the Jewish press."  The Valley Vantage

In 1976, the Santa Monica Playhouse Jewish Heritage program presented the world premiere of the Rudie-DeCarlo-Weisman musical Author! Author! – an evening with Sholom Aleichem. Little did anyone know that this production would birth what LA Times’ Dan Sullivan called a “quintilogy” of musicals celebrating the most beloved Yiddish author of all times. Since then, the quintilogy has produced The Clown Prince (“Highly entertaining!” LA TIMES - 3 ½ years in its initial run), The Great Fair (“Lively, spirited, compelling presentation!” KCSN - 3 year run), Because of You (“A wonderful array of talent! Come to the Playhouse and enjoy!” American Press Service - 2 years), and the longest-running of all, Aleichem Sholom – the Wit and Wisdom of Sholom Aleichem (“Brilliant!” broadwayworld.com; The Tolucan Times), still playing monthly in its 6^th sell-out year.   

“Chris DeCarlo portrays the Yiddish story teller with such warmth and humor
​that one actually thinks he is Sholom Aleichem.” HA’AM

“Its appeal is universal, a clever capturing of the author’s characters and thinking in a manner so enchanting that it rates serious attention for accomplishment.” Daily Variety