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existence, it has, thanks to
the Jewish enterprising spirit, grown remarkably, so that in
America alone we now have twenty theatres "dispensing"
Yiddish entertainment, ten of which number are in Greater
New York, and the remaining number scattered throughout the
larger Jewish centers and cities of the United States; the
total of their investments running into millions of dollars,
and now after fifteen years of pioneering, including myself
amongst the very first, to William Rolland is due the credit
of, proverbially, putting Brownsville and East New York on
the map, in having completed this magnificent edifice which
we are privileged to envision, dedicated and to be devoted
to the Jewish drama; built exclusively by Jewish capital and
daring enterprise; exclusively for the Jewish masses.
As I said before, the Yiddish
theatre still being in its infancy, is in crying need of
fond and paternal aid, care and support of those in whom the
power lies to give it; and the sad but true fact is, that it
is always subject to the whims and fancies of those who seem
to take special delight in kicking, slandering and vilifying
it, and like the Jewish race itself, is the victim of anyone
who seems to be obsessed of a "divine right" to father or
govern it. What it needs is friendly, helpful and
constructive criticism instead of the slanderous and abusive
attacks mercilessly launched against it ad lib from time to
time, materially adding to its already heavy burdens.
The old-fashioned,
ill-ventilated theatres in this vicinity, lacking sanitary
conditions, spacious foyers and many other comforts that
housed Yiddish productions of the past; lacking the latest
mechanical devices and equipments essential toward giving
modern, high-class productions, that can vie favorably with
the world's best and most modern theatres of today, were
repugnant to William Rolland; they were the impelling forces
that set him about to procure a modern theatre such as we
now see, and only the indomitable spirit and compelling
personality possessed by Rolland, enabled him to surmount
the countless obstacles and difficulties encountered in the
promotion and completion of such a gigantic task.
Being a thorough showman and
possessed of a thorough knowledge of theatricals, I am sure,
in the selection of his artists and plays, and that in their
manner of presenting them, Mr. Rolland will not alone
reflect credit upon such an institution as this, but upon
the entire Yiddish theatrical profession.
I heartily join with all
others in felicitating him and wishing him the huge success
that justly should be his. |
