Ida Kaminska, world-renowned Yiddish actress, and a troupe of 12 actors will revive Yiddish Art theater in Philadelphia, Six performances of “Mirele Efros” March 20 to 26 will be brought here through the efforts of the YM/YWHA branch of the Jewish Ys and Centers.
Philadelphia, once home base for three professional Yiddish theaters, in recent years has not hosted a single professional company of Yiddish actors. “The Y is delighted to be able to aid in the revival of Yiddish theater,” said Philip M. Shiekman, president of the Y branch. “The theater is designed for people of all ages and those attending don’t have to worry about being conversant in Yiddish, for a synopsis will be provided. It really won’t be any different from watching an opera and following the action with a libretto,” he said.
Miss Kaminaska, the lead, is the Grand Lady of Yiddish Theater in the world today. An actress for 55 years, she managed and directed the Jewish State Theater of Poland from 1946 until she emigrated in 1969. Her portrayal of the old woman in the film “The Shop on Main Street” was a world success and brought her a nomination for the Best Actress Academy Award in 1967.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
