The Yiddish King Lear

The Yiddish King Lear

(performed in English)

Directed by Whitney Dibo

Adapted, assembled, and created with Martha Kaufman and Lauren Dubowski

Based on Jacob Gordin's 1903 play

Fartaysht un farbesrt! 
(Translated and improved!)

In a move that could be considered theatrical blasphemy (or maybe just chutzpah), Yiddish theatre artists at the turn of the century advertised their adaptation of this Shakespearean classic as superior to the original text. Playwright Jacob Gordin lifted Shakespeare's ideas and placed them in a Jewish context, delivering a version that spoke to his immigrant populace. Now, over 100 years later, The Yiddish King Lear is dusted off and re-imagined for a modern audience. A story of assimilation, family wealth and gender expectation — this is Shakespeare like you’ve never seen it before.