First Yiddish Revival of GOD OF VENGEANCE, Basis of Broadway-Bound INDECENT, Headed to La MaMa

New York audiences will be treated to the first revival in Yiddish in many decades of Sholem Asch's shocking and ahead-of-its-time drama "God of Vengeance," the basis of the Broadway-bound play "Indecent." Directed by and featuring the Tony nominee Eleanor Reissa, "God of Vengeance" begins previews at La MaMa, 74A East 4th Street, starting December 22. It opens on Christmas Day.

What makes this opportunity to experience the play authentically in its original language even more exhilarating is that it's being presented by the internationally acclaimed New Yiddish Rep, the company known for the recent breakthrough productions of "Death of a Salesman" and "Waiting for Godot" in Yiddish. And in a stroke of divine providence, the contemporary staging being birthed by New Yiddish Rep will run in the cradle of the Yiddish Theatre, in the theatre directly next door to where it had its world premiere in 1907.

"Got fun nekome," tells the wrenching story of a brothel owner's attempt to marry off his daughter to lead a dignified religious life, only to have her drawn back into the life of sin in which she grew up. In addition to being highly explosive for its conflicted view of Judaism, the show is credited with presenting the first lesbian kiss on Broadway when its English premiere was presented at the Apollo Theatre on West 42nd Street in 1923.

The cast of 11 includes Yiddish theatre veterans Shane Baker; David Mandelbaum; Caraid O'Brien, and Reissa; Off-Broadway veteran Rachel Botchan, and Yiddish theatre newcomers, Shayna Schmidt and Melissa Weisz as the young lesbian lovers. (Weisz was Juliet in the controversial Yiddish film "Romeo & Juliet.") The ex-Satmar Hasid from Brooklyn, Luzer Twersky (star of the critically acclaimed "Félix and Meira" and a Transparent Season 2 regular) is seen in his professional stage debut. Also in the cast are Amy Coleman, Mira Kessler and Eli Rosen.

The production design team includes Vicki Davis (set and costumes), Kirk Bookman (lights), and Jesse Freedman (sound). Composer and percussionist Billy Martin composes the original music. Mark Brystowski is the production stage manager.

New Yiddish Rep is known for its innovative and eye-opening approach to Yiddish -- a language and theatre culture central to American popular culture that continues to illuminate, excite and entertain audiences of all backgrounds.

The notorious and ground-breaking "Got fun nekome," which many consider one of 20th century's greatest plays, in any language, runs 5-weeks and 35 performances, from December 22 to January 22. Perfs are Wed, Thur, Fri at 7pm; Sat at 3pm & 7pm; Sun at 3pm. Added perfs Sun Dec 25 at 7pm; Mon Dec 26 at 3pm; Sun Jan 1 at 7pm; Mon Jan 2 at 3pm; Tues Jan 10 at 7pm; Tues Jan 17 at 7pm. "God of Vengeance" is performed in Yiddish with English supertitles. Tickets are $36. For tickets and more information visit www.newyiddishrep.org, or call 800-838-3006.

Photo Credit: Ronald Glassman

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