Yentl's Journey: A Modern Yiddish Stage Hit

0:00On March 20, Kadima Yiddish Theater's fresh take on Yensel is heading to London after a strong run in Australia. This stage version draws straight from Isaac Bachevich Singers' 1962 short story, skipping the glossy 1983 Barbara. Strysanne film. It stars Amy Hack as Yensel, a young Jewish woman in an 1870s Polish sterile who disguises herself as a boy, named Ansel, to pursue her love of learning at a Yashiva. The story dives into Yensel's unexpected romance with fellow student Avigdor, played by Ashley Margolis, who's smitten with local hoads, portrayed by Genevieve Kingsford. A playful figure called the Yetser Hora, brought to life by Evelyn Crap, acts as narrator and trickster, pushing Yensel to challenge traditions. Themes of identity, gender inequality, knowledge quests, and queer feminist vibes make it hit home today. Writers Gary Abrahams, Elise Esther Hurst, and Galit Klaus have reimagined it to feel current while honoring the original bittersweet tone.

1:06Directed confidently by Abrahams on an evocative set by Dan Barber, the show mixes Yiddish and English with Sir Titles. The talented cast shines, though the first half paces unevenly before settling in the second. This meandering yet intriguing production suits audiences open to its spirit, with brief nudity guiding the 14-plus rating, leaving you hooked. Through the poignant end.