Due to popular demand, the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene presents a return engagement of Di Goldene Kale (The Golden Bride), a 1923 Yiddish operetta that was lost in the aftermath of World War II, beginning July 4.
Coming directly from playing Christine in The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway, Rachel Zatcoff stars in the limited run at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in Lower Manhattan; opening night is scheduled for July 10 and performances will continue through August 28.
The National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene debuted the first revival of Di Goldene Kale (The Golden Bride) in December 2015 featuring a cast of 20 and an orchestra of 14. It was nominated for two Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Revival of a Musical.
With music by celebrated Yiddish composer Joseph Rumshinsky, lyrics by his long-time collaborator Louis Gilrod and text by Frieda Freiman, Di Goldene Kale received critical acclaim following its 1923 debut in New York City. The score and libretto were lost during the Second World War; however, with the help of music archaeologist Michael Ochs and several developmental workshops, NYTF was able to present the first full-staged revival of the restored work in decades.
The story of Di Goldene Kale follows Goldele, a beautiful orphaned girl who was raised in poverty and unexpectedly receives a large inheritance. With her new-found fortune, she embarks on a journey across the globe to claim her father's estate and meet her real mother, whilst potentially finding love along the way. Songs and dialogue are presented in Yiddish and accompanied by English and Russian “supertitles.”
“The Golden Bride opens a door into a time that no longer exists,” said NYTF executive director Bryna Wasserman in an earlier statement. “It follows a central character who has gone from rags to riches, and travels across the sea to live the Amercian Dream. In this election year, it is important for us to remember this country was built on the belief that anything is possible here in the land of opportunity.”
Tickets can be purchased by calling (866) 811-4111 or by visiting nytf.org/. The Museum of Jewish Heritage is located at 36 Battery Place.
(Updated July 4, 2016)
