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