Abby Stein's journey from an ultra-Orthodox rabbi to a transgender woman is taking center stage in the new off-Broadway play “Becoming Eve,” now showing at Abrons Arts Center. The play, based on Stein's memoir of the same name, delves into her life within a strict Hasidic community in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and her subsequent transformation. Stein, who has been trained as a rabbi since childhood, always knew she was a girl despite the rigid gender norms of her environment, as reported by Gothamist.
The play's lead, Tommy Dorfman, portrays Stein, referred to as Chava in the production, and recently discussed the role with Alison Stewart on “All of It.” Dorfman informed Gothamist about the distinct voice and physical embodiment for Chava at different ages, from child to adult, noting, “It's the closest experience I've had to being a voiceover actor.”
According to a New York Times article, Stein’s private struggles and the pivotal moment she came out to her father are central to the play "Becoming Eve," which ends just before the blog post that propelled her story into the public eye. This Off Broadway production, through strong performances by Dorfman and “West Wing” actor Richard Schiff, allows audiences a glimpse into Stein's complex navigation of identity and faith. The portrayal of Stein's youth employs an innovative puppetry technique; the decision came about to navigate the challenge of representing Chava at various ages in a manner that also resonated with Stein's feelings of dislocation between her body and her true self.
“Becoming Eve” encountered its own challenges when the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, which owns the Connelly Theater, decided its content was not fitting for church-owned property, as per the New York Times. The play's creative team found a new stage at Abrons Arts Center, ensuring that Stein's story could continue to be told, especially during a time when transgender issues have taken a prominent spot in political and social discussions.
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