Performance from “The Yiddish King Lear” to Follow Discussion

New York, NY – September 7, 2012: The Stella Adler Studio of Acting is excited to host renowned author Beth Kaplan for a presentation on Jacob Gordin, known as the Jewish Shakespeare. Investigating a family mystery, Ms. Kaplan, a writer, teacher and actress, spent years tracking down her great-grandfather Gordin’s controversial story for her book.

“Finding the Jewish Shakespeare is a witty, shrewd and elegant book… Beth Kaplan resurrects the richness, magnificence and complexity of the world of Yiddish theater.”
-Tony Kushner, Pulitzer, Emmy and Tony award winner

Following Ms. Kaplan’s presentation, Sam Schacht, the former Dean of the Actors Studio Drama School and co-founder of two thriving New York acting companies, The New Group and The Workshop, will perform scenes from Gordin’s Yiddish King Lear along with Michael Howard, actor, director, master teacher and founder of Michael Howard Studios.

Finding the Jewish Shakespeare
Thursday, September 13 at 7:00pm
The Stella Adler Studio of Acting: 31 West 27th, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10001
Jacob Gordin became the first serious writer in Yiddish Theater after immigrating to New York’s Lower East Side and meeting the great actor Jacob Adler. Gordin and Adler’s collaboration escalated Yiddish Theater from musicals and light fare, introduced high art and realism and ushered in The Golden Age of Yiddish Theater. Adler’s starring role in Gordin’s Yiddish King Lear gave Adler new respectability and stretched his acting capabilities. Gordin and Adler worked together throughout their careers, and their frequently stormy and competitive relationship reflected the world of drama they helped define.

The event is free and open to the public.

About The Stella Adler Studio of Acting: The Stella Adler Studio of Acting is an acting school based in New York City founded by actress and teacher Stella Adler in 1949. Adler founded the Studio on her belief in the seriousness of her art. Adler and the school have trained many of the brilliant actors of our time, including Marlon Brando, Robert De Niro, and Elaine Stritch. The Stella Adler Studio of Acting is a nonprofit organization, which trains over 500 actors annually. The Studio also presents public lectures, poetry readings, concerts, theater performances, dance theater events and an annual arts festival.