Composer of Asolo Rep’s “Yentl” featured on NPR

Jill Sobule, the eclectic songwriter who created a musical score for the Asolo Repertory Theatre’s production of “Yentl” is scheduled to be featured on NPR’s “All Things Considered: Weekend Edition” during the 5 p.m. broadcast Saturday Feb. 4. The program airs locally on WUSF-89.7 FM.

The broadcast, which will feature some music from the show, is expected to bring some national attention to the new version of “Yentl” at Asolo Rep, which the creative team hopes will have a life beyond Sarasota.

Singer and songwriter Jill Sobule

Sobule wrote the hits “I Kissed a Girl” and “Supermodel” from the hit film “Clueless” and has recorded several albums in a variety of styles. She also is due to give a benefit concert at Asolo Rep on Feb. 13. She is currently working on her next record, and the musical, “Times Square”.

For “Yentl,” a play by Leah Napolin and Isaac Bashevis Singer, based on Singer’s short story, Sobule wrote about a dozen songs that are performed by ensemble members as a sort of Greek chorus to comment on the story about a young woman who masquerades as a boy in 19th century Eastern Europe so she can pursue her study of the Torah.

For more information on the Asolo Rep production: 351-8000; asolorep.org

You can read our feature about “Yentl” here and a review of the production.