Visit                  Exhibitions                    Collections                  Research                  Learning                  About                  Site Map                  Contact Us                  Support

 


 

A History of The Folksbiene
 

Stempenyu!
by Sholem Aleichem

1993-1994 Season

(incomplete synopsis)

Central Synagogue Auditorium
123 East 55th Street
New York, NY

["Stempenyu" was first staged by
the Folksbiene during the 1973-4 season.]



 

 


Book by Sholem Aleichem; adapted by Dora Wasserman; directed by Bryna Turetsky; music by Eli Rubinstein; choreography by Felix Fibich; additional dialogue by Miriam Kressyn; set and lighting by Harry A. Feiner; costumes by Lorna Gotzman; stage manager, Judith Scher; translator, Hy Wolfe; technical director, Larry Zolotor. Presented by the Folksbiene Playhouse of the Workmen's Circle, Ben Schechter, artistic director; Morris Adler, president.

A review of this play appeared in the New York Times on November 4, 1993:

Stempenyu!
by Lawrence Van Gelder

There's a new musical in town. It's about a fiddler. And it's based on a story by Sholem Aleichem.

Unfortunately, the musical is the earthbound "Stempenyu!," not "Fiddler on the Roof."

"Stempenyu!," which opens the seventy-eighth season of the Folksbiene Theater, is set in the little town of Mazepevke in the Russia of long ago, where no Jewish wedding would be complete without the fiddler Stempenyu. And, everyone says, what a fellow Stempenyu is. A great fiddler. A greater ladies' man. A heartbreaker who loves and runs.

The trouble is that everyone says this (in Yiddish, with simultaneous English translation and a helpful synopsis in the program), but rarely does "Stempenyu!" demonstrate his prowess. It's a little hard to become involved when Stempenyu finally meets Rokhele, the beauteous woman of his dreams, who, though attracted


to him, is married; and it's even more difficult to care when Stempenyu is deceived into marriage to Freydl, who will soon rue her choice.

On the periphery is an assortment of meddlers, merrymakers and innocents, ranging from Rokhele's domineering mother-in-law, Dvosye-Malke, to Freydl's conniving mother, Sosye.

It's good to have the Folksbiene back in action, preserving a rich language and vibrant theatrical tradition. But, working a literary lode that yielded so much for so many years, "Stempenyu!," beset by a pallid protagonist, comes up long on talk, short on music, song, dance and humor.

 

Synopsis:

Act I

Scene 1

The entire town of Mazepevke has turned out for a wedding and is making preparations while anxiously awaiting the arrival of Stempenyu and his klezmorim. Stempenyu charms the guests with his virtuoso playing. As the women admire Stempenyu, he notices the beautiful Rokhele, Moyshe-Mendl's wife, and they exchange glances. During the procession and celebration Stempenyu does all he can to find out as much as possible about Rokhele. Rokhele is uncomfortable with his attention and asks her mother-in-law, Dvosye-Malke, to take her home.

Scene 2: Dvosye-Malke's House
Rokhele and Dvosye-Malke return home. Soon Ayzik-Naftuli and Moyshe-Mendl return home drunk. Naftuli is sent to bed and Moyshe-Mendl is ready to continue celebrating when he passes out at the table. Rokhele is left alone with him and reflects on her life and marriage. She cannot help but compare her husband with Stempenyu.

Scene 3: Dvosye-Malke's House
It is the following morning and Rokhele is singing to herself. Moyshe-Mendl stands by the door and listens unobserved. He enters and they begin an awkward conversation that is interrupted by Dvosye-Malke.

Stempenyu passing near Rokhele's home engages her in conversation and asks her to meet with him the following Saturday evening. The badkhan, paying a visit to Dvosye-Malke and Ayzik-Naftuli, tells Stempenyu that he is needed in town.

During the visit they discuss Stempenyu's talent as a klezmer and his reputation with women. The conversation turns to the story of Khaye-Etl -- a young woman who committed suicide after being betrayed on her wedding day.

Sosye and her daughter Freydl come to Mazepevke in search of Stempenyu. Arriving in town Sosye encounters the badkhan -- an old acquaintance. The badkhan leaves to find Stempenyu.

[missing second half of the synopsis]
 


From left: Julie Alexander, Hershey Felder and Cara L. Gaffen.

 

 


 

next >>







 

Copyright © Museum of the Yiddish Theatre. All rights reserved.