Two Song Cycles written and performed by Gabriel Kahane

Gabriel Kahane Brings Dual Musical Journeys to Alexander Kasser Theater This February

The Alexander Kasser Theater is set to host an extraordinary day of music and storytelling on Saturday, February 7, 2026, as acclaimed composer and performer Gabriel Kahane presents two of his most celebrated works, Magnificent Bird and Book of Travelers. With performances at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., audiences have the unique opportunity to experience two intimate solo musical plays in a single day, showcasing Kahane’s distinctive blend of songwriting, narrative, and theatricality.

Magnificent Bird, opening the afternoon program, offers a deeply personal meditation on a year the artist spent entirely off the grid. During this period of self-imposed isolation, Kahane challenged himself to write a song every day, crafting a collection that reflects both introspection and the wider currents of global upheaval. Contributions from luminaries such as Andrew Bird, Chris Thile, Amelia Meath of Sylvan Esso, and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Caroline Shaw enrich the work, producing a soundscape that is at once delicate, urgent, and profoundly human. With a runtime of 74 minutes and no intermission, the performance invites audiences to engage with a vivid portrait of solitude, creativity, and resilience in uncertain times, offering a musical lens on contemporary life.

The evening program features Book of Travelers, a 70-minute journey across the United States that explores the intersections of identity, community, and personal connection. Drawing from encounters on a 9,000-mile train journey, Kahane weaves together stories of the strangers he meets with intricate compositions that blend folk, classical, and pop influences. The work captures the subtle tensions and unexpected beauty of modern America, transforming the simple act of travel into an intimate exploration of place, people, and the evolving landscape of the nation. Both works are performed without intermission, providing a continuous and immersive theatrical experience for audiences seeking an emotionally resonant and musically complex encounter.

Kahane’s reputation as a songwriter and storyteller is well established. The New Yorker has called him “one of the finest songwriters of the day,” a distinction reflected in his multifaceted career spanning theater, concert halls, and club venues. Recent highlights include a return to the New York stage at Playwrights Horizons during the 2024–25 season, performances across Europe and the United States with collaborator Caroline Shaw, and premieres of new compositions including a clarinet concerto for Anthony McGill. Kahane’s work often defies categorization, blending literary depth, intricate musicality, and an expansive collaborative spirit that ranges from Phoebe Bridgers and Paul Simon to the Danish String Quartet and Roomful of Teeth.

Both Magnificent Bird and Book of Travelers showcase Kahane’s ability to merge narrative and music into a singular theatrical experience. Each piece offers its own lens on human experience—one introspective, the other outward-looking—but together they create a rare opportunity to witness the full range of Kahane’s creative vision. Audiences attending both performances can expect a day of rich storytelling, sophisticated musical arrangements, and the kind of artistry that elevates the concert stage into an intimate theater of emotion and reflection.

For theatergoers eager to explore the intersection of music and narrative, this double performance provides an ideal introduction to contemporary American song-theater. Tickets are available for each show individually or for a combined day pass, allowing patrons to fully immerse themselves in Gabriel Kahane’s world of lyrical storytelling and inventive composition. For those interested in broader theatrical programming and events across New Jersey, coverage and listings of live performances can be found through dedicated New Jersey theatre resources.

With its combination of introspection, travel, and collaboration, Gabriel Kahane’s dual performances at the Alexander Kasser Theater promise a compelling and memorable artistic experience, inviting audiences to reflect on the personal and societal landscapes that shape modern life through the power of music and story.