Messiahs of 1933: How American Yiddish Theatre Survived Adversity through Satire

by Joel Schechter

Joel Schechter has rediscovered the funny and often politically-charged plays of the American Yiddish theatre of the 1930s. In "Messiahs of 1933" he celebrates their satire, their radical imagination, and their commitment to social change. He introduces readers to the once-famous writers and actorsOCoMoishe Nadir, David Pinski, Yosl Cutler, and othersOCowho brought into artistic form their visions of peace, social justice, and satire for all. "Messiahs of 1933" greatly enlarges our understanding of Yiddish theatre and culture in the United States. It examines the innovative stage performances created by the Artef collective, the Modicut puppeteers, and the Yiddish Unit of the Federal Theatre Project. And it introduces to contemporary readers some of the most popular theatre actors of the 30s, including Leo Fuchs, Menasha Skulnik, and Yetta Zwerling. Throughout, it includes relevant photographs and contemporary comic strips, along with the first English-language publication of excerpts from the featured plays. "

304 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2008