San Francisco. 1986. What could Harry, an amiable but lonely retired kosher butcher, have in common with Barbara, his young lesbian writing teacher at the senior center? Is it enough to bridge the divide?

When Harry fulfills a writing assignment to compose a letter to someone from his past who’s dead, he writes not to his late wife Frannie but Harvey Milk, the first openly gay political leader in California. Barbara is stunned. Harry’s letter evokes life-changing revelations that neither could have foreseen. With its soaring score and deeply-felt, surprisingly funny lyrics, this musical deals with issues of friendship and loss, the grip of the past, and the hard-won acceptance set in motion by the most unexpected people.

Based on the short story ” A Letter to Harvey Milk” by Lesléa Newman, the musical A LETTER TO HARVEY MILK has music by Laura I. Kramer, lyrics by Ellen M. Schwartz, with additional lyrics by Cheryl Stern, book by Jerry James, Laura I. Kramer, Ellen M. Schwartz, and Cheryl Stern and will be directed by Evan Pappas with music direction by Jeffrey Lodin, orchestrations by Ned Ginsburg, casting by Stephanie Klapper. Set design/ virtual background by David Arsenault, the stage manager, is Will Chaloner, the technical producer, is Ruby Locknar, and video editor is Seth Walters.  Executive produced by Lisa Dozier King. 

Starring Adam Heller (Broadway: It Shoulda Been You, Elf, Caroline or Change), Julia Knitel (Broadway and National Tour: Carole King in Beautiful, Bye Bye Birdie), Cheryl Stern (Broadway: La Cage Aux Folles, The Women) along with Michael Bartoli (National Tour: Joseph/Dreamcoat), Jeremy Greenbaum (Broadway: Newsies), Aury Krebs (Regional: Rent, Hairspray), and Ravi Roth (National Tour: Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, Seussical).

The Off-Broadway musical, A LETTER TO HARVEY MILK, presented at Theatre Row in 2018, will be presented as a benefit online beginning April 22 at 7 PM and running through 25, 2021.   

NOTE: This is not a streaming version of the stage production in 2018, as the cast reunited to create this production specifically for streaming.

Tickets are $10 – $50 and can be purchased at StellarTickets.com

Money raised will benefit the Actors Fund, and HIAS. 

HIAS is the international Jewish humanitarian organization that provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers in 16 countries. We advocate for the rights of all forcibly displaced people to rebuild their lives and seek to create a world in which they find safety, opportunity, and welcome. 

The Actors Fund fosters stability and resiliency and provides a safety net for performing arts and entertainment professionals over their lifespan. The Actors Fund envisions a world in which individuals contributing to our country’s cultural vibrancy are supported, valued, and economically secure.  We recognize the contributions of each individual and promote trust and mutual respect. We collaborate and share information, skills, and knowledge with each other and our community. We encourage and celebrate curiosity, creativity, and innovation. We embrace diversity and seek equity, inclusion, and dignity for all. We hold ourselves and each other accountable for the integrity of our services to being good stewards and maintaining the trust of our clients and supporters.

 

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats.