During the late 1800s, and early 1900s, marked a huge increase in Yiddish-American influence in musical theatre. These pieces of theatre were a result of the time, as many Yiddish-speaking immigrants were coming to the United States to try to find a better life. The plots varied, but the intended effect of the device was the same: to help new immigrants feel at home in America without forgetting where they came from.

One of the most popular musicals of the time was The Golden Bride (or Di Goldene Kale). Originally premiering in 1923, and continuing with a national and international tour, the show was revived last year with the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene, and was brought back again to be performed at the Museum of Jewish Heritage.

This light-hearted, romantic, comedic operetta follows two pairs of couples as they travel from a small shtetl in Russia all the way to America, looking for love and finding wealth in the process. The incredible cast sings beautifully and entirely in Yiddish, with English and Russian supertitles. One of the four leads was Glenn Seven Allen, University of Washington MFA Acting alumnus, who plays an American who visits the shtetl and falls in love with Khanele, both of whom dream of becoming famous actors. It was a powerful experience to watch someone speak Yiddish, while portraying a character who in fact, doesn’t know much Yiddish. Allen is a talented vocalist who, in addition to performing, teaches at the Yale School of Drama.