The current uncertain political climate makes perfect timing for Paula Vogel’s Tony Nominated play Indecent that deals with the ubiquitousness of homophobia and anti-semitism in such a powerful way. The play is based on the true story of the trials and tribulations of Polish/Yiddish playwright Sholem Asch’s 1906 play God of Vengeance about an illicit lesbian love affair in a family brothel. Asch’s literary circle in Warsaw denounced the play so he travelled to Berlin where he persuaded the leading classical actor of the day Rudolf Schildkraut to mount a production.
The intelligentsia of Berlin loved it and it played for 6 months before undertaking a remarkable successful tour of major European capitals. Then Asch set out to conquer America and so the show opened in a Yiddish theater in NY to some very differing views with people loving it or hating it. There was however enough interest to play it for a mainstream audience on Broadway, but much to the dismay of the cast, first the American producer insisted on some re-writes which took out the lesbian part of the story and emphasis the prostitution angle more. Its run was cut short after six weeks when the entire cast, along with producer Harry Weinberger, were indicted – and eventually convicted – on charges of obscenity.
Vogel’s retelling of the story not only recounts the very importance of the play and the place that Asch deserves in literary history, but highlights the strong feeling of anti-semitism that less than a decade later would fuel WW2. The objectors disguised their own hatred by playing up on people’s fears which is something that society is eerily repeating now.
The presence of the love-making scene in the rain between the two lesbians was regarded as the most beautiful part of Asch’s play but that simply angered religious leaders who resented its humanized sexual freedoms.
Vogel’s ensemble piece has each of the very talented cast of actors playing several parts which works so smoothly in this captivating performance. Each one brings such a nuanced dimension to their role, especially the wonderful Avi Hoffman as Lemml who acts as the narrator of the piece.
Indecent is powerful and provocative and quickly touches on your very core …….. even if you are a goyim. It is easy to see why director Joseph Adler chose this for the GableStages new season and he quite rightly knows that his innovative production will be collecting him/them some more Carbonells (South Florida’s Tony’s) come next Award season.
http://www.gablestage.org/until February 24, 2019
