Explore this Show

Overview

Synopsis

The titular Yiddish Queen Lear, Esther Laranovska was once a star of Yiddish Theatre, traveling throughout Europe before arriving in New York City. Now, in 1939, she is struggling to pull together enough actors to revitalize her troupe. At the same time, her three daughters--Gail (Gittle), Rachel, and Channele--are working to forge their own identities in theatre, out from under their mother’s imposing shadow. While Gail and Rachel eagerly take their mother’s savings, Channele refuses and is disowned.

In a story that echoes Shakespeare’s King Lear, Esther herself becomes the despondent, wandering monarch, thrown out by Gail and ignored by Rachel. Her loyal troupe members Joseph, Annie, and Paul accompany Esther through the streets of New York City. Eventually, Channele finds her mother and takes the group home to Europe where they take up residence in France--not knowing that the storm of the Nazi army is approaching. The Yiddish Queen Lear is a vibrant retelling of Shakespeare’s famous play, and a poignant tale of forgiveness between mother and daughters until the end.

Show Information

Book
Julia Pascal
Based on the Play/Book/Film
Inspired by Shakespeare's King Lear
Category
Play
Age Guidance
Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1999
Genres
Drama, Tragedy
Settings
Period, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
New York, France, Switzerland, 1939, 1940
Cast Size
medium
Orchestra Size
None
Dancing
Optional
Licensor
See CONTEXT AND/OR LINKS TAB
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Diverse Cast, Mature Audiences, Mostly Female Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Includes Mature Adult, Adult, Young Adult, Elderly Characters, Medium Cast

Context

Sorry, we currently do not have content for this section.

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Esther Laranovska

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Gail Rosenthal

Supporting

Female

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto

Rachel Kessler

Supporting

Female

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto

Channele

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Irving Kessler

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Eddie Rosenthal

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Annie Greenberg

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Joseph Gutman

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Paul Schneck

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Karol Kozinski

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Ensemble

Featured

Either Gender

Tenor, Baritone, Bass

Songs

Sorry, we currently do not have content for this section.

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

All monologues are the property and copyright of their owners.. Monologues are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this monologue, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

Sorry! We do not currently have terms for this guide.

Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.

Quote Analysis

Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.

Guide Written By:

Cindi Calhoun

Cindi Calhoun

Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress