CMU School of Drama


Tuesday, November 22, 2022

Jewish Joy, Jewish Trauma: Why They Feel Different Onstage Now

AMERICAN THEATRE: A family saga spanning generations, an intimate two-hander set on Long Island, a long-awaited revival of an under-sung classic, and two reimaginations of classic American musicals—stylistically and aesthetically, Leopoldstadt, Camp Siegfried, Parade, the Yiddish Fiddler on the Roof, and Funny Girl have little in common. Except, of course, for all that they do. At a time of rising antisemitism and right-wing violence, each of these works examines the present moment’s roots in a not-so-distant past.

1 comment:

Danielle B. said...

I would have LOVED to be a part of the audience in that group discussion. The rise of antisemitism in America is terrifying but not surprising. I have had this knowledge that we are never entirely safe in America since I was a little girl growing up in the south. I had to attend training on how to stay safe on college campuses as a jew when in high school. The themes being reflected on stage are not history but the present. When Tovah Feldshuh played Rosie Brice it was shocking to me that she was the first Jewish actress to portray this jewish character. Representation matters and how we are being represented does have an impact. I hope people take a good look at these productions and see how history is repeating and mutating to be something worse…I hope it wakes people up to look around them.The world is changing, let’s make sure it doesn’t change for the worse.