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A History of The Folksbiene
 

Mirele Efros
by Jacob Gordin

1994-1995 Season


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

 


   

 

A review of this play appeared in the New York Times on November 2, 1994:

A Battle of Women In a Yiddish Classic: Folksbiene Playhouse
by D.J.R. Bruckner

Women rule the roost and battle one another over control of the men around them in Jacob Gordin's play, "Mirele Efros," and the women in the cast absolutely dominate the stage in the performance of this Yiddish classic.

This 1896 work, about a dominating but vulnerable widow losing a family war with her daughter-in-law, is light on plot and depends to an unusual degree on the skill of the director and the cast for its effects. The Folksbiene production, under the direction of Bryna Wasserman Turetsky, shows it can still provoke laughter and, in the end, some dismay.

In the title role Zypora Spaisman, who made her stage debut in this play in Poland before World War II, is a Mirele whose intelligence and willpower, backed by sarcastic wit, can utterly intimidate those around her. But Ms. Spaisman also makes the audience feel the widow's pain and despair.

Shifra Lerer as Makhle the servant is funny and moving as she gives both voice and gesture to some of Mirele's unspoken feelings. Mina Bern, as the mother-in-law of Mirele's oldest son, is a superbly comic rustic with a wickedly irreverent eye and tongue. And Raquel Yossiffon as Mirele's daughter-in-law is convincingly innocent at the outset and later just steely enough to face down the old widow.

Among the male roles only Shalmen, the administrator of Mirele's estate, has any depth, and Norman Kruger brings to it the right dignity, tinged with a sense of affront.

"Mirele Efros," running at least through December, is performed in Yiddish, and simultaneous English translation is available.
 

 

Cast photo of "Mirele Efros"
Courtesy of YIVO
 

 

The Cast of Characters:

 

photo: (left to right) Zypora Spaisman and Raquel Yossiffon.


The Synopsis

The play takes place in Mirele Efros' home in Grodno.

ACT I

Scene 1,        Turn of the century; a rainy day.

Scene 2,        Saturday evening; three years later.

 

ACT II

Scene I.       Mirele Efros' house, six years later

Scene 2.       The Efros home; ten years later

ACT I

Scene I.

     Makhle, Mirele's maid and long time friend, is straightening up the sitting room and unpacking gifts for Mirele's son Yosele and his bride-to-be, Sheyndele. As she works, she speaks about the forthcoming wedding and her relationship with Mirele. 

.

Shalmen, Mirele's trusted administrator and friend, arrives. He has been to see Shayndele and her parents and tells Makhle that, although the family is poor, they are descendants of a rabbinical dynasty and Sheyndele is beautiful.  Shalmen goes off to attend to business with Mirele. As Makhle prepares to put up tea, the future in-laws, Nukemste and Khane-Dvoyre arrive to discuss the marriage arrangements. Mirele, disgusted with their demands and behavior, calls off the match and sends them away. Yosele and his brother, Donye, are called for. Yosele is heartbroken when he learns that there will not be a wedding and pleads with his mother to reconsider. Mirele yields to her son's wishes. Nukemste and Khane-Dvoyre return and are told of Mirele's change of heart, but with the condition that the wedding take place that evening. Yosele mets Sheyndele for the first time and everyone toasts the happy couple.

ACT I, Scene 2

Mirele recites the end of Sabbath prayer and is sitting in a darkened room as Makhle enters. Makhle turns up the lights and they talk about how tense the atmosphere in the house has become since Sheyndele has been living there. Mirele retires to her room as Sheyndele enters. Fighting for control of the household, Sheyndele insists that Mirele's chair be removed from the room. Mirele returns and invites Shalmen to play chess, while Sheyndele, against her mother-in-law's wishes, begins a card game with Donye and Yosele. Both women eye each other as they simultaneously play their respective games. Donye, influenced by Sheyndele and her parents, insults Shalmen's integrity causing him to leave. A confrontation between the two women ensues, resulting in Mirele relinquishing the business to her children for the sake of peace.

ACT II, Scene 1

Nukemste returns from a business trip drunk. Yosele is displeased with the way Nekemste has been conducting their family business. When Donye insults Nukemste, Sheyndele questions Donye's business transactions. Yosele tries to maintain peace, but the argument escalates until Sheyndele takes the money from Donye's coat. Mirele, observing the behavior of their son and daughter-in-law, is shocked.

Shalmen, now in business for himself, visits Mirele to ask for a donation for the building of a new hospital. Mirele is humiliated when Sheyndele stops Yosele from making a contribution. Makhle offers her money, but Mirele, embarrassed, turns her down. Shalmen leaves but returns shortly thereafter. Makhle confides in him that tension between Mirele and Sheyndele continues to grow, and the situation is awful in the Efros home. Sheyndele, having overheard their conversation, waits for Shalmen to leave and then attacks Makhle. Makhle runs to Mirele who confronts Sheyndele and demands that she change her behavior. Mirele, realizing that she is fighting a losing battle, feels she has no other choice but to leave her home and with Makhle move in with Shalmen.

Act II, Scene 2

It is the day of Yosele and Sheyndele's son's (Shloymele) bar mitzvah, and Makhle has been sent by Mirele to help with the preparations She recalls the past years and is saddened that Mirele will not be there. Nukemste and Shloyemel come home to practice for his bar mitzvah. Yosele and his son have a talk, and Shloymele cannot understand why his grandmother will not come and resolves to go to Shalmen's house and convince her to come to his celebration. Yosele asks Makhle to follow him. Unexpectedly, Shalmen arrives. Makhle runs in with the news that Mirele is coming, and Shloymele announces his grandmother's arrival, and the family is reunited on this special day.



 

 


 

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