Musicals
Paper Brigade: A New Musical
Music by Debra Caplan
Book by Cecelia Raker
Lyrics by Debra Caplan and Cecelia Raker
During WWII, a group of writers, teachers, and intellectuals risked their lives to steal and hide Yiddish literature from the Nazis. Among them were several famous poets and culture makers…and a woman historian who was far ahead of her time, caught between her work as a core member of the Paper Brigade and domestic demands. Paper Brigade is inspired by the true story of Rachela Krinsky Melezin, her extraordinary commitment to rescuing Jewish literature, and her struggles, guilt, and resilience after the war when her heroic acts are all but forgotten and the fate of the books remains unknown - until 40 years later, they are finally rediscovered.
Though written primarily in English, Paper Brigade incorporates Yiddish poetry, music, and writing from the archives directly into the show, placing the music and writing of this period in conversation with a contemporary approach to musical storytelling.
February 2024: Developmental residency at Lola Austin.
2024 - 2025: PSC CUNY Grant for Development
Book by Cecelia Raker
Lyrics by Debra Caplan and Cecelia Raker
During WWII, a group of writers, teachers, and intellectuals risked their lives to steal and hide Yiddish literature from the Nazis. Among them were several famous poets and culture makers…and a woman historian who was far ahead of her time, caught between her work as a core member of the Paper Brigade and domestic demands. Paper Brigade is inspired by the true story of Rachela Krinsky Melezin, her extraordinary commitment to rescuing Jewish literature, and her struggles, guilt, and resilience after the war when her heroic acts are all but forgotten and the fate of the books remains unknown - until 40 years later, they are finally rediscovered.
Though written primarily in English, Paper Brigade incorporates Yiddish poetry, music, and writing from the archives directly into the show, placing the music and writing of this period in conversation with a contemporary approach to musical storytelling.
February 2024: Developmental residency at Lola Austin.
2024 - 2025: PSC CUNY Grant for Development