Cast Announced For Development Reading Of KING OF THE JEWS

National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene (NYTF), the longest consecutively producing theatre in the United States and the world's oldest continuously operating Yiddish theatre company, announced the stellar cast for its upcoming FREE developmental reading of King of the Jews on Monday, March 5th at the Museum of Jewish Heritage, Edmond J. Safra Plaza, 36 Battery Pl. NY, NY 10280.

Presented in English the reading will feature Ron Rifkin (TV: Alias, L.A. Confidential, Dragonfly; Bway: Tony Award for Cabaret); Mary Illes (Bway: The Phantom of the Opera, The Music Man, The Scarlet Pimpernel) Jim Shankman (Bway: Once In A Lifetime, Grease); Doug Shapiro (NY: Once Upon A Mattress, Finding Nemo, Yank!); Daniel Oreskes (Bway: Oslo, The Miracle Worker, Billy Elliot, Cymbeline, Aida) Hal Robinson (Bway: The Price, People In The Picture, Cabaret, Nick and Nora, Grand Hotel); David Lavine (TV: The Blacklist, Orange Is The New Black, Blue Bloods, Person Of Interest); Serena Ryen; (Regional: Antigone, Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical!) JP Sarro (TV: Orange Is The New Black; Regional Theatre: The Wick, Ocean State Theatre, Theatre By The Sea); Charles Karel (Bway: Zorba, Dear World, Milk and Honey, Hello Dolly, Golden Rainbow NYTF: Lies My Father Told Me); Bruce Rebold (NYTF: The Golden Bride, The Sorceress); Josh Lerner (NY: Broadway Bound, Brighton Beach Memoirs) Stage Directions/Narrator: Adam Kaster.

"In addition to honoring the historic legacy of Yiddish theatre, NYTF creates and develops new works to keep its repertoire fresh, and to develop the new talent that will inspire future audiences, paired alongside Industry veterans and Community Leaders who will help lead the way" said NYTF's Chief Executive Officer Christopher Massimine.

King of the Jews tells the story of a runaway boy. When he seeks refuge in their cafe, 10 unassuming Jews in Nazi-occupied Poland find themselves selected to form a Jewish ghetto council in charge of policing their own people. Led by the morally ambiguous Doctor Trumpelman, the council revels in their newfound power until they are faced with the impossible task of handing over the names of 100 of their fellow Jews. Unable to choose and unable to disobey, the council members grapple with the assignment of sentencing their own people to death.

The reading is helmed by director Alexandra Aron and produced by the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in association with with Anya Epstein and Danny Futterman

"As we look toward our creative future, NYTF collaborates with the talented artists of our day to produce tomorrow's classics, which we hope will be performed for many years to come," said NYTF's Artistic Director, Zalmen Mlotek. "Through our reading series, audiences become part of the creative process. It is an honor and a joy to see new work such as King of the Jews come alive."

This event is free and open to the public, please write to RSVP@NYTF.org for your reservation.

Entering its 104th season, Tony Award-nominated and Drama Desk Award-winning National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene (NYTF) is the longest consecutively producing theatre in the US and the world's oldest continuously operating Yiddish theatre company. Dedicated to creating a living legacy through the arts, connecting generations and bridging communities, NYTF brings history to life by reviving the lost and forgotten gems of the Yiddish stage through its global restoration project, commissioning new work, and adapting pre-existing work for the 21st Century. Serving a versatile audience comprised of performing arts patrons, cultural enthusiasts, Yiddish-language aficionados and the general public, the company presents plays, musicals, concerts, lectures, interactive educational workshops and community-building activities in English and Yiddish, with English and Russian supertitles accompanying performances. NYTF provides access to the hundreds of years of cultural expression, aiming to inspire the imaginations of the next generation to contribute their own stories to this valuable work. More information can be found at www.NYTF.org.