Yiddish song, dance, comedy and celebration from across the globe will come together in the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene’s Chanukah Spectacular, featuring an international array of more than 50 stars from Broadway music, movies and television to the Yiddish stage.
This curtain rises tonight at 7:00 p.m. EST, kicking off with an international opening number celebrating Yiddish theatre and much more. The gala is a benefit for the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene through permission from Theatre Authority, Inc. The event will be free to the public with registration required and opportunities to donate throughout. Afterwards, the celebration will only be available for viewing for 96 hours.
The spectacular is produced and directed by Adam B. Shapiro, one of the stars of the celebrated, award-winning “Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish.”
“You cannot spell fundraiser without f-u-n, and that’s what the evening is about,” Shapiro said. “We’ve enlisted stars from here at home and across the world and from renowned and award-winning Folksbiene productions like ‘Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish’, ‘The Golden Bride,’ ‘The Sorceress,’ ‘Hannah Senesh’ and ‘Soul to Soul.’ Tune in to see a tribute to the golden age of musical theatre, hilarious sketch comedy routines, beautiful song, dance and so much more.”
“We’re excited to present this exceptional Yiddish celebration, bringing together Yiddish Ambassadors from across the globe, from across the United States to as far away as Australia,” said Zalmen Mlotek, artistic director.
The spectacular will feature musical segments, comedy and special guest appearances. Included in the program will be a performance by 18 children, some of whom are members of the Children’s Choir from Tzipporei Shalom of Congregation Beth Shalom in Teaneck, New Jersey.
The event is free – though viewers are encouraged to donate and must register here. Folksbiene also will host a special pre-show Zoom cocktail party (featuring “Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish”’s breakout star Steven Skybell and Folksbiene Artistic Director Zalmen Mlotek) at 6:15 p.m. EST for donor. Those who donate at certain levels will have special appetizers deliver from the Lox Cafe to nosh on during the event.
