With music by celebrated Yiddish composer Joseph Rumshinsky, lyrics by his long-time collaborator Louis Gilrod and text by Frieda Freiman, Di Goldene Kale received critical acclaim following its 1923 debut in New York City. The score and libretto were lost during the second World War; however, with the help of music archeologist Michael Ochs and several developmental workshops, NYTF will present the first full-staged revival of the restored work in decades.
Di Goldene Kale will play Dec. 2-27 at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York. The new production will feature a 14-piece orchestra and cast of more than 20. Songs and dialogue will be presented in Yiddish and accompanied by English and Russian supertitles.
The story follows Goldele, a beautiful orphaned girl who was raised in poverty and unexpectedly receives a large inheritance. With her new-found fortune, she embarks on a journey across the globe to claim her father's estate and meet her real mother, whilst potentially finding love along the way.
"The US was in the midst of the Great Depression and the country needed to believe in the American Dream more than ever— and who needed it more than the immigrants of the Lower East Side who left their homelands in search of better lives," said NYTF executive director Bryna Wasserman, who will co-direct with associate artistic director Motl Didner, in a statement.
"The operetta was accessible to everyone," added Didner. "It’s with that same intention that we present it today." NYTF artistic director Zalmen Mlotek will serve as the Di Goldene Kale’s music director/conductor. Merete Muenter will choreograph, and Izzy Fields will be the costume designer. The show will be produced by Christopher Massimine and cast by Jamibeth Margolis, C.S.A.
Other events of the season will include a return of the family musical The King of Chelm, playing Nov. 14-29 at the Kraine Theater; a free Chanukah Concert at the Museum of Jewish Heritage featuring the Folksbiene Youth Academy Ensemble on Dec. 13; and Dreaming in Yiddish, the 4th annual Adrienne Cooper (z’l) memorial concert featuring a host of performers like Grammy winner Frank London.
For more information on the season, visit NYTF or call (212) 213-2120.
