Archdiocese blocks play on former Hasidic rabbi and transgender activist Abby Stein

A theater production based on the memoirs of a former Hasidic rabbi and transgender activist, premiering in New York early next year, is struggling to find a new home after its landlord rejected the script last week last.

The owner? The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York.

The production became the victim of a conflict between the Connelly Theater in the East Village, which had long presented provocative works, and the archdiocese, which owned the venue. The archdiocese recently placed the theater under increased surveillance, exercising a clause that gives it approval for plays presented on its property. The Catholic school that serves as an intermediary between the Church and the theater said it was “suspending all operations of its theater,” the New York Times reported.

Abby Stein, author of the 2019 memoir “Becoming Eve: My Journey from Ultra-Orthodox Rabbi to Transgender Woman,” was alerted last Wednesday that the adaptation of her book would no longer be allowed at the Connelly Theater.

“I can’t say I’m surprised,” Stein told New York Jewish Week. “I’m not going to pretend, ‘Oh my God, the Catholic Church doesn’t like trans people, I’m shocked.’ I wouldn’t say that. I think we all know that. It’s extremely frustrating that even in a place like New York, this is still something to think about.

Josh Luxenberg, the Off Broadway theater’s chief executive for 10 years, resigned last Friday, telling the New York Times that he was reluctant to serve as “a censor rather than a defender of artistic freedom.” The theater was built in the 1860s, according to its “About Us” page, which still lists Luxenburg as general manager and describes itself as “a home for adventurous independent theater productions.” Its main stage can accommodate 200 people.

“It is standard practice of the archdiocese that nothing should take place on Church-owned property that is contrary to Church teaching,” said archdiocese communications director Joseph Zwilling, to the Times in an email. “This also applies to plays, television shows or films shot, recorded music videos or other performances.”

“Becoming Eve” tells Stein’s story as a rabbi and heir to a prominent Hasidic dynasty who left his island community in 2012 and publicly came out as transgender in 2015. The book became a bestseller and she became an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. community and for Hasidic Jews who leave their communities. Stein currently serves as a part-time rabbi at the independent Kolot Chayeinu congregation in Brooklyn.

“It’s like we’re taking one step forward and two steps back,” Stein said. “It shouldn’t be something we’re still worried about.”

Stein added: “I did not expect to be in the crosshairs of the Archdiocese of New York. »

The Archdiocese of New York did not respond to New York Jewish Week’s request for comment.

As an adaptation of Stein’s memoir, the play “centers on a conversation between Abby, her devout father, and a young liberal rabbi, as they address issues of gender and faith,” according to Playbill.com.

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“Becoming Eve” is one of at least three shows presented at the Connelly Theater by the archdiocese. SheNYC, a summer theater festival for plays by female, non-binary and transgender artists, said in a statement that the archdiocese also told it it would not be able to use the theater next summer.

“It’s a total shock that somehow strict conservative ideals dictate what can happen in a New York theater,” SheNYC posted on Instagram. “We are heartbroken by this loss. And we’re not going to lie to you: this puts us in a difficult situation for our 2025 season, which also marks our tenth anniversary.

The comedy show “Jack Tucker: Comedy Standup Hour,“A solo show by comedian Zach Zucker, who is Jewish, featuring his alter ego Jack Tucker, was being prepared to transfer to the Connelly Theater in early September for a limited run after a successful run at the SoHo Playhouse. But the archdiocese did not approve the show days before it began. Zucker had to move and postpone the show.

In an Instagram post announcing the new dates and location, Zucker said of the Church: “Why did they do that? We will never know. But what I know is that God will never stop me.

“Becoming Eve” is written by Em Weinstein, produced by Dayna Bloom and Brian Lee and directed by Tyne Rafaeli. It will premiere in March and is expected to be released in April 2025.

The New York Theater Workshop, which produces the play, is in the process of finding another venue for the show.

“We remain fiercely committed to presenting Emil Weinstein’s compelling and singular play, Becoming Eve, during our season,” New York Theater Workshop said in a statement. “We are deeply disappointed by the archdiocese’s decision and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to producing this powerful story. We are in talks with a new location and look forward to sharing details very soon. We are proud to produce this compelling story and champion its artists and philosophy.