Over 300,000 Jews from Eastern Europe migrated to the United States during the 1890s, with many settling in the bustling tenements of New York City. While some held fast to traditional customs, others sought a fresh start free from the constraints of the past.
In 1973, filmmaker Joan Micklin Silver delved into the complexities of assimilation within the cultural melting pot of New York City. Her charming and modestly-budgeted film, Hester Street, adapted from a Yiddish tale by Abraham Cahan, quickly became a cherished classic recounting the lore of the Lower East Side.
Fast forward to the present day, Hester Street has been reimagined as a theatrical production by playwright Sharyn Rothstein, under the direction of Oliver Butler, featuring original musical compositions by Joel Waggoner. Premiering at Theater J, this rendition marks the largest production in the theater’s history.
The narrative revolves around Jake (portrayed by Jake Horowitz), driven by ambition and resentment towards a father who never dared to leave his shtetl, determined to embrace American culture. However, upon the arrival of his wife Gitl (played by Sara Kapner) and their son Joey (enacted by Katie Angell) in New York, Jake is taken aback by Gitl’s old-fashioned appearance and behavior.
Jake finds himself drawn to Mamie (depicted by Eden Epstein), a fellow immigrant who shares his aspirations for assimilation and success. Amidst this cultural tug-of-war, Mrs. Kavarsky (played by Dani Stoller), the pragmatic landlady, offers guidance while navigating the growing tension between Jake and Gitl. Meanwhile, Mr. Bernstein (portrayed by Michael Perrie Jr.), a devout Jew who missed becoming a rabbi, resides with Jake and provides a contrasting perspective on American life.
The unfolding drama is set against a dynamic backdrop designed by Wilson Chin, where the actors physically rotate the set to transition between different spaces, mirroring the intimate and confined living conditions of New York’s early 20th-century tenements. The costumes by Frank Labovitz vividly underscore the contrast between the “greenhorns” and the assimilated Jews, emphasizing the characters’ evolving identities.
Waggoner’s original music, infused with klezmer and jazz influences, serves as a unifying element throughout the production, capturing the essence of the Lower East Side’s vibrant atmosphere. The multitalented trio of performers (Morgan Morse, Jason Cohen, and Lauren Jeanne Thomas) seamlessly transition between musicianship, acting, and singing, enriching the storytelling.
While Hester Street is steeped in Yiddish language, adding depth and authenticity, English subtitles cleverly projected onto hanging laundry aid in audience comprehension. However, the inconsistent Yiddish-accented English delivery by the actors occasionally detracts from their otherwise spirited performances.
Despite limited character growth, Gitl’s transformation into a self-empowered woman resonates as a testament to the immigrant experience’s resilience and adaptation. Rothstein’s narrative, set over a century ago, serves as a poignant reminder of the perpetual cycle of new beginnings in an ever-changing world.
The production runs for two hours and 30 minutes with a 15-minute intermission, concluding on April 21, 2024, at the Aaron & Cecile Goldman Theater in the Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center. Tickets can be purchased by contacting the ticket office at 202-777-3210.
Hester Street
CAST:
- Joey: Katie Angell
- Rabbi and Others/Instrumentalist: Jason Cohen
- Mamie: Eden Epstein
- Jake: Jake Horowitz
- Gitl: Sara Kapner
- Joey Understudy: Alexandra Moore
- Joe Peltner: Morgan Morse
- Bernstein: Michael Perrie Jr.
- Mrs. Kavarsky and Others: Dani Stoller
- Rabbi’s Wife and Others/Instrumentalist: Lauren Jeanne Thomas
CREATIVE TEAM:
- Director: Oliver Butler
- Associate Director & Choreographer: Nikki Mirza
- Scenic Designer: Wilson Chin
- Costume Designer: Frank Labovitz
- Lighting Designer: Colin K. Bills
- Projection Designer: Patrick W. Lord
- Sound Designer: Justin Schmitz
- Props Designer: Jason Dearing
- Casting: Eisenberg Casting, Daryl Eisenberg, CSA
- Casting Assistant: Chelsi Kern
- Production Stage Manager: Anthony O. Bullock
- Assistant Stage Manager: Rebecca Talisman
- Assistant Stage Manager: Delaney Dunster
(interview by Ravelle Brickman, March 31, 2024)