Stars of David, which played a limited five-week concert engagement last season at the DR2 Theatre, is based on the acclaimed book "Stars of David" by Abigail Pogrebin. Aaron Harnick and Pogrebin conceived the musical, which was directed by Gordon Greenberg.
The album is produced by Michael Croiter and executive-produced by Daryl Roth.
The recording, featuring the talents of Alex Brightman, Joanna Glushak, Janet Metz, Brad Oscar, Alan Schmuckler, Aaron Serotsky and Donna Vivino, boasts original musical material by Marilyn and Alan Bergman; Susan Birkenhead; Michael Friedman; Amanda Green; Marvin Hamlisch; Sheldon Harnick; Tom Kitt; Richard Maltby, Jr. and David Shire; Duncak Sheik and Steven Sater; Nathan Tysen and Chris Miller; and Jeanine Tesori.
The musical celebrates the identity of some of the most well-known Jewish personalities, including Marilyn and Alan Bergman, Andy Cohen, Gloria Steinem, Kenneth Cole, Fran Drescher, Edgar Bronfman Sr., Aaron Sorkin, Leonard Nimoy, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Joan Rivers, Tony Kushner and Norman Lear, among others.
The complete track listing follows: 1. “Stars of David”
Performed by Alex Brightman & Donna Vivino with Janet Metz and Aaron Serotsky
Music by Gaby Alter
Lyrics by Gaby Alter, Gordon Greenberg & Abigail Pogrebin
2. “Yitsy Magence (Andy Cohen)”
Performed by Alan Schmuckler with Janet Metz, Aaron Serotsky and Donna Vivino
Music by Gaby Alter
Lyrics by Gaby Alter and Itamar Moses
3. “As If I Weren’t There (Ruth Bader Ginsburg)”
Performed by Donna Vivino
Music by Tom Kitt
Lyrics by Abigail Pogrebin
4. “Lenny the Great (Leonard Nimoy)”
Performed by Alex Brightman
Music by Dan Messé
Lyrics by Nathan Tysen
5. “High Holy Days (Joan Rivers)”
Performed by Janet Metz with Alan Schmuckler, Aaron Serotsky and Donna Vivino
Music & Lyrics by Amanda Green
6. “Music To My Ears (Michael Feinstein)”
Performed by Aaron Serotsky
Music by Michael Feinstein
Lyrics by Lisa Lambert
7. “Smart People (Aaron Sorkin)”
Performed by Alan Schmuckler with Janet Metz, Aaron Serotsky and Donna Vivino
Music by David Shire
Lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr.
8. “Balance (Ruth Reichl)”
Performed by Janet Metz
Music by Alan Schmuckler
Lyrics by Abigail Pogrebin
9. “Book of Norman (Norman Lear)”
Performed by Brad Oscar with Janet Metz, Alan Schmuckler and Donna Vivino
Music & Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick
10. “Who Knew Jew (Gwyneth Paltrow)”
Performed by Donna Vivino with Janet Metz, Alan Schmuckler, and Aaron Serotsky
Music by Gaby Alter
Lyrics by Jill Kargman
11. “The Darkening Blue (Kenneth Cole)”
Performed by Alex Brightman with Janet Metz, Alan Schmuckler, and Donna Vivino
Music by Duncan Sheik
Lyrics by Steven Sater
12. “Broken Pieces (Marilyn and Alan Bergman)”
Performed by Alan Schmuckler and Donna Vivino with Janet Metz and Aaron Serotsky
Music by Marvin Hamlisch
Lyrics by Marilyn and Alan Bergman
13. “Just Be Who You Are (Fran Drescher)”
Performed by Donna Vivino
Music & Lyrics by Amanda Green
14. “Horrible Seders (Tony Kushner)”
Performed by Alex Brightman
Music & Lyrics by Michael Friedman
15. “The Women Who Had No Names (Gloria Steinem)”
Performed by Joanna Glushak and Donna Vivino
Music by Jeanine Tresori
Lyrics by Susan Birkenhead
16. “ L’Dor V’Dor/Finale (Edgar Bronfman, Sr.)”
Performed by Aaron Serotsky with Janet Metz, Alan Schmuckler and Donna Vivano
Music by Chris Miller
Lyrics by Nathan Tysen