About the Show

NYTF presents one of the earliest works of modern Yiddish theater, an 1878 musical fantasy starring an innocent young heroine and her dashing fiancé. Performed in Yiddish with English and Russian subtitles.

From the show:

A magical, musical fantasy starring an innocent young heroine and her dashing fiancé, a devious stepmother, and a scheming wicked witch. “The Sorceress takes its audience into a world of illusion, intrigue, and not least of all, suspense: will Good trump Evil?

Written in 1878, The Sorceress (Di Kishefmakherin) is one of the earliest works by Avrom Goldfaden, the acknowledged father of modern Yiddish theatre. It was brought to America in 1882 by a 14-year old Boris Thomashefsky, who would go on to become one of Yiddish theatre’s biggest stars.

Critic Reviews (2)

CRITIC’S PICK. "'The Sorceress’ Casts a Charming Spell in Yiddish: Now playing at the Museum of Jewish Heritage, the 19th-century operetta is a fairy tale confection you can feel right down to your kishkes."
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"The National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene...has reached even further back in the tradition of Jewish-themed theater in New York City, to 1878, presenting Avrom Goldfaden's 'The Sorceress,' the first piece of Yiddish theater to appear on an American stage..."
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Cast and creative team

National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene