A Gilgl Fun a Nigun (The Metamorphosis of a Melody)

Le Théâtre en l'Air/DerLufTeater in association with the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene at the 4th Street Theatre as part of the New York International Fringe Festival

Reviewed by Gwen Orel

August 16, 2010


Rafael Goldwaser, founder of Strasbourg's Le Théâtre en l'Air/DerLufTeater, stars in this solo multimedia adaptation of I.L. Peretz's story about a melody's evolution. Hanging prayer shawls form screens for clever video by Mariette Feltin and serve as props and set pieces. The first 15 minutes of the show fascinate as part of a theatrical lecture. Goldwaser explains that "a melody must burn with an exalted love" and demonstrates just how a melody is more than its notes. (The show is in Yiddish, with sometimes lagging supertitles). His high-energy carnival-barker delivery evokes old-time shtick, and he's terrifically physical.

But Peretz's story of a melody's journey from shtetl to opera to America struggles with smothering effects. Goldwaser is reduced to mugging or running in place while we watch overlong video segments. More of the story's simple melody would help this piece soar.



Presented by Le Théâtre en l'Air/DerLufTeater in association with the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene as part of the New York International Fringe Festival at the 4th St. Theatre, 83 E. Fourth St., NYC. Aug. 14–24. Remaining performances: Tue., Aug. 17, 8 p.m.; Sun., Aug. 22, 9:30 p.m.; Tue., Aug. 24, 6 p.m. (866) 468-7619 or www.fringenyc.org.
 
 
Subscribe to Back Stage

More Movie / TV Reviews

Actor's Resources

Search
Casting		 Message
Board		 Weblogs Yellow
Pages
Find
Talent		 Events
Calendar		 Video Email
Newsletters
NY Actor LA Actor Digital
Edition		 FAQ /
Customer
Service

ADVERTISEMENT

Unscripted Blog


View Other Blogs »       Visit Unscripted »

Sponsors

Events Calendar

Industry Grosses

BROADWAY HOLLYWOOD
RankTitleGross
1. WICKED $1,534,111
2. THE LION KING $1,445,999
3. SPIDER-MAN TURN OFF THE DARK $1,433,241
4. THE BOOK OF MORMON $1,425,488
5. HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING $1,319,824
6. WAR HORSE $960,191
7. JERSEY BOYS $915,982
8. PORGY AND BESS $878,884
9. FOLLIES $878,880
10. THE MOUNTAINTOP $693,128

Week ending Feb 06, 2012.
Credit: The Broadway League

RankTitleGross
1. CHRONICLE $22,004,098
2. WOMAN IN BLACK, THE $20,874,072
3. GREY, THE $9,300,999
4. BIG MIRACLE $7,760,205
5. UNDERWORLD AWAKENING $5,500,744
6. ONE FOR THE MONEY $5,206,279
7. RED TAILS $4,735,595
8. DESCENDANTS, THE $4,552,943
9. MAN ON A LEDGE $4,351,036
10. EXTREMELY LOUD & INCREDIBLY CLOSE $3,802,367

Week ending Feb 06, 2012.

MOST POPULAR MOST E-MAILED

ADVERTISEMENT