Musicals: Yentl

One of my all-time favourite musicals, Yentl is a passion project of Barbra Streisand based off of the short story Yentl the Yeshiva Boy by Isaac Bashevis Singer.

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What It's About:

In the early 1900s, women are forbidden from studying the Torah and Talmud - the Jewish religious scripture. But Yentl is bright, curious, and has an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, and her father teaches her in secret. When Yentl's father is no longer with her, she has but one choice - learn to become a housewife and get married, or be true to herself by studying, yet have to pose as a boy. Yentl's journey is equal parts humorous, heartbreaking, and inspirational.

Why You'll Love It:

• The queen of the stage herself, Barbra Streisand shines here. She is obviously passionate about this piece of work, and these songs highlight her voice beautifully. Both she and her character, Yentl, are strong, passionate women, and the effect is brilliant.
• If you aren't into the traditional musical where people randomly break out into song and dance, this one isn't like that. Songs are incorporated a bit more organically into the story here. For example, when she is in public her lips aren't moving but you can hear the song (as thoughts through her head), and when she is alone her lips start moving again.
• It's an emotional roller coaster. All at once silly, heartwrenching and inspiring, it will leave you both smiling and crying by the end.
• You actually get really invested in the storyline, even if it seems a bit ridiculous. It is handled in a mature and thoughtful way rather than as a farce, so it is easy to accept and get attached to.

Why You Might Want To Skip It:

• If you aren't into Jewish or early 1900s culture or women's rights, this movie involves those things a fair bit and probably won't be your thing (although you don't have to be passionate on these topics to enjoy it).
• There is gender bending and many awkward and uncomfortable situations that arise from this. Although it stays mostly out of farce territory, scenes viewed by audiences today may feel like they are a cliché (ex. men try to get the woman, who is posing as a man, to take a swim).
• This isn't an upbeat and fun musical, and offers several songs that contain talking moments. There are only thirteen songs in the entire piece, so it isn't an overly music-heavy musical.
• It might be a musical, but there is only one singer - Streisand. If you're wanting to hear the gorgeous voice of Mandy Patinkin (and you really should check it out), then this isn't how you're going to listen to him. If you don't care for Streisand's voice either, it isn't drowned out or broken up by the contributions of other singers.

Final Thoughts

I watched this musical a few times as a child and listened to the record (yes, the record) many, many, many times throughout my childhood and adolescence. So understandably, this one has a special place in my heart. Yet it had been maybe ten years since I had seen it, and watching it again had me nervous. Now I wonder why. It was as wonderful and magical as it was the first time I saw it, and I connected with it just as deeply. Both Streisand and Patinkin are brilliant and believable in their roles, and their chemistry together is undeniable.
There are a lot of people who like to make fun of this musical because they either don't like Streisand, or think the gender-bending premise is odd, but I think it is absolutely charming. It is sweet, and heart-breaking, and inspirational all at once. I still to this day think it is one of my favourite musicals.