Jewish Theatre ― A Global View

In this valuable contribution to Jewish studies, Nahshon (Hebrew, Jewish Theological Seminary, New York) addresses the question of what defines 'Jewish theatre' and its audience in her introduction to the volume's other 15 essays. International contributors treat the themes of theatre by Jews for Jews produced in Yiddish, theatre by Jews for a broader Polish audience, Jewish presentations in different languages, American Jewish identity in American theatre, and dramatic engagements with the Holocaust and modern Israel on the Israeli stage. A monologue by the biblical character of Abraham is appended. Illustrations include photographs of famous Jewish actors including Bertha Kalich (d. 1939) and Ludwik Solski (d. 1954), and a production of Shylock directed by Nicolo Gemin (2005). Annotation c2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Edna Nahshon is Professor of Hebrew at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York and a Senior Associate at Oxford University's Centre for Hebrew and Jewish Studies. A recognized authority on Jews and performance she is the recipient of prestigious academic grants from the American Council of Learned Societies, the Memorial Foundation, YIVO and the Lucius N. Littauer Foundation, and the American Academy for Jewish Research. In her many publications she has focused on Yiddish theatre in America, the representation of Jews in late nineteen and early twentieth century theatre, and the nexus of religion and theatrical performance. Her books include: Yiddish Proletarian Theatre: The Art and Politics of the Artef, 1925-1940 (1998), From the Ghetto to the Melting Pot: Israel Zangwill's Jewish Plays (2005), and Jews and Shoes (2008). She is currently working on a book titled Countering Shylock that examines Jewish responses to Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice.