Leah's Train

Leah's Train by Karen Hartman

(0)
Productions (5)
Drama
|
80 - 90 minutes
3 W, 2 M, 
Set: Flexible.

When Ruth, a young doctor, skips her grandmother Leah's funeral, she ignites three generations of love and secrets. Her boyfriend walks out, her mother pays a devastating surprise visit, and Leah's harrowing childhood journey -- a family legend -- intertwines with Ruth's own. An ordinary train ride mysteriously takes Ruth through her Russian Jewish family's untold history, opening her to a fuller understanding of her mother, her grandmother, and herself.

Pricing Information

Min. Performance Fee* $85
Standard Edition $13.99
Stage Manager Edition $24.99

*The per performance fee begins at $85. Your per performance fee will be provided during the ordering process.

Play Details

When Ruth, a young doctor, skips her grandmother Leah's funeral, she ignites three generations of love and secrets. Her boyfriend walks out, her mother pays a devastating surprise visit, and Leah's harrowing childhood journey -- a family legend -- intertwines with Ruth's own. An ordinary train ride mysteriously takes Ruth through her Russian Jewish family's untold history, opening her to a fuller understanding of her mother, her grandmother, and herself.

  • Drama
  • |
  • 80 - 90 minutes
  • 3 W, 2 M, 
  • Set: Flexible.
  • Standard Edition ISBN: 978-1-62384-501-8

Published Reviews

"Well-written and well-performed drama about family and the importance of cherishing life and connections..."

Anita Gates, The New York Times

"Stories of today and stories of 100 years ago happen concurrently, but through Hartman's artful writing...all is clear."

Ronni Reich, Backstage

"...a simple and moving tale about a family and the ways it deals with grief and sacrifice."

Dan Bacalzo, Theatermania.com

"Leah's Train is such a brilliantly surprising play, layered and dense and magical like a Russian Kachina doll. Though the story is very specifically about a Russian/Jewish family, there's a universality to this piece that transcends any particular place or ethnic group. It is instead a trip through time and space that is memorable, meaningful, and heartfelt."

Martin Denton, nytheatre.com

Production History

MAR 07, 2015 - MAR 22, 2015
20% Theatre Company
Minneapolis, MN United States
20% Theatre Company Minneapolis, MN United States
JAN 01, 2009 - FEB 28, 2009
National Asian-American Theatre Company
New York, NY United States
National Asian-American Theatre Company New York, NY United States
JUN 01, 2003 - AUG 31, 2003
Yale University (Summer Cabaret)
New Haven, CT United States
Yale University (Summer Cabaret) New Haven, CT United States
APR 01, 1994 - APR 30, 1994
Seattle Fringe Festival
Seattle, WA United States
Seattle Fringe Festival Seattle, WA United States
APR 01, 1994 - APR 30, 1994
Yale University
New Haven, CT United States
Yale University New Haven, CT United States
No upcoming productions.
JAN 01, 2009 - FEB 28, 2009
National Asian-American Theatre Company
New York, NY United States
National Asian-American Theatre Company New York, NY United States

Awards (1)

Finalist, L. Arnold Weissberger Award