New Staging Of 'Yentl' Tells A Transgender Story

[xchrom]

http://www.wbur.org/npr/146431727/new-staging-of-yentl-tells-a-transgender-girls-story

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Actress Hillary Clemens portrays Yentl/Anshel in the new staging of Isaac Bashevis Singer's play at the Asolo Repertory Theatre in Sarasota, Fla. (Daniel Perales Studio)

Singer-songwriter Jill Sobule is probably best known for her 1995 hit single, "I Kissed a Girl." These days, she's taking on a new musical project: the gender-bending play by Isaac Bashevis Singer, Yentl.

Barbra Streisand turned Singer's play into her 1984 hit movie musical of the same name. Although Sobule's version features music, it's a little more Singer and a little less Streisand.

"She changed the ending and made it kind of Funny Girl coming to America. ... We keep to the word," Sobule tells weekends on All Things Considered host Guy Raz.

Sobule composed original songs for the new staging of the play, which is running through April 26 at the Asolo Repertory Theatre in Sarasota, Fla. Unlike Streisand's version, which could be seen as a feminist film, this new version of Yentl is more about a transgender person's coming-of-age.

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