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A History of The Folksbiene

 

Prince Reuvaini
by David Bergelson

1967-1968 Season
(incomplete synopsis)

Folksbiene Playhouse
175 East Broadway
New York, NY

 

 



From the right: Mina Kern, Michal Michalovic and Zypora Spaisman.
Courtesy of YIVO.
 

Zypora Spaisman and Michal Michalovic.
Courtesy of YIVO.
 

 
A review from the New York Times, November 19, 1967:

"THEATER: THE FOLKSBIENE"
Yiddish Troupe Offers 'Prince Reuvaini,' Powerful Drama on a Messianic Theme

By Richard F. Shepard

Two Yiddish dramas opening in one week -- it may not make the season, but it makes news that has not hit New York in a long time.

The Folksbiene, that sturdy and prolific company of Yiddish theatre-lovers, opened "Prince Reuvaini" in its East Broadway house Friday night, just a day after the visiting Warsaw players opened "Mother Courage." Where "Mother Courage" was universal and pacific, "Prince Reuvaini" made the point that a people must preserve itself, by fighting if necessary.

The new play, which will run weekends, has been lavishly mounted with striking stage decor and gorgeous costumes. It is not at all a modern type of play, often plodding, often preaching, yet it has something to say in the traditional style that deserves a showcase. And the Folksbiene, under David Licht's direction, manages to get the message across.

"Prince Reuvaini" has as much meaning, perhaps, in its creation as in its utterances. It was written by David Bergelson, a Russian Jew, who was killed in 1952 for his activities in behalf of Jewish culture.

The play deals with a historical character, David Reuvaini, who appeared in Italy, Spain and Portugal during the early 1500's and was hailed by Jews and Marranos (ostensible Christian converts who secretly remained Jews) as the Messiah comes to save them from the Inquisition.

Reuvaini treated with Christian kings and projected alliances against the Turks. According to Bergelson, he claimed only to be a man strong in his faith and rich in his people. But he had the charisma that launched mass enthusiasm. Even the disclosure that he was not a prince from a far land did not sap his popularity.

His disciples are tried, Reuvaini is reviled, yet the end of the play finds him an even stronger man, leading the Jews in a futile fight against the forces of oppression.

Michal Michalovic makes a prince of splendidly heroic proportions. David Rogow, as the Marrano whose reconversion to Judaism and advocacy of the prince leads him to the stake, infuses his role with strong emotion. Jack Rechtzeit gives a lovely performance as the Pope's unconscionable Jewish physician, who is charged with investigating Reuvaini.

Zypora Spaisman and Minnie Kern are impressive aristocrats, while Diane Cypkin injects a note of both youth and song as a young Marrano girl. Joshua Zeldis is at his usual best as Reuvaini's aide, and Harry Rubin appears as a distinguished citizen and as an awesome cardinal.

The Folksbiene is an amateur company with a professional staff and the more-than-money-could-buy attention it has given to this year's show is evident as soon as the lights go out.

 

The Cast of Characters:   The Synopsis (incomplete):
 

Pires decides to end it all -- to drown himself.  After his unsuccessful attempt at suicide he returns to Portugal.  He becomes ill after performing circumcision upon himself.  When Reuvaini learns of this shocking act, he fears that the King of Portugal will blame the Jews for converting the Christian Pires.  He therefore hastens to Portugal and orders Pires to leave Europe.  Diogo Pires, who has now assumed the Jewish name, Shlomo Molcho, obeys the Prince.  He travels from country to country, proclaiming the arrival of the Messiah:  "Prince David Reuvaini is the Messiah."  Eventually he returns to Europe.

     The Vatican orders an investigation of the rumors about the Jewish Prince and Shlomo Molcho.  The pope appoints his personal physician and advisor, a Jew, Dr. Jacob Montino, to head the investigation.  From Dr. Montino's report we learn that Reuvaini is not a prince; the distant land with the Jewish king does not exist.  Reuvaini concocted this fictitious tale to find salvation for his people.  These disclosures lead to the confiscation of the properties of all Jewish bankers who were supplying the Prince and his army with ships and weapons.

     As a last resort, Reuvaini and Molcho go to Germany for help where they are arrested and turned over to the Inquisition.  At the trial in the Vatican Shlomo Molcho is sentenced to be burned at the stake.  Dinah pleads to be burned together with her beloved Molcho.

     Reuvaini is awaiting his trial.  He expects the same verdict. Benvenida, who is in love with Reuvaini, and Diamanta to whom Reuvaini symbolizes the courage of the Jewish people, come to his rescue.  They bribe the guard and prepare a ship for his escape.  Reuvaini orders the ship to sail to Lisbon harbor which is full of Jews in detention camps.  The Portuguese government is willing to free them and to permit them to settle in Portugal, provided they convert to Christianity.  Rejecting the offer David Reuvaini arms the Jews for battle.

     With prayers on their lips, weapons in their hands and a fierce determination to live and to die as Jews, they are awaiting the onslaught of the barbarian enemy.

     "You  struggle, my people!

      That means

      You live, my people!"    

      David Bergelson

 
 

 

 

 

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