From Generation to Generation: Audiences Love 'The Thomashefskys'

Eugene Brancoveanu and Ronit Widmann-Levy portray Boris and Bessie Thomashefsky

Photo by Stefan Cohen courtesy of The Thomashefsky Project

The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia is hosting this special performance of what Steinberg describes as "a unique and original production," featuring live actors, memoirs, film clips and original recordings from the performances of Yiddish Theatre legends Boris and Bessie Thomashefsky.

The production was created by the couple's grandson, San Francisco Orchestra conductor, Michael Tilson Thomas. Thomas, who will conduct the Philadelphia Orchestra for this performance, will also serves as its narrator. "Since its 2005 premiere at New York City's Carnegie Hall, 'The Thomashefskys' has been performed to sold-out audiences around the world," said Steinberg.

Steinberg, who recently relocated to Philadelphia from San Francisco to accept a job as director of education for the National Museum of American Jewish History, emphasized that the production has multigenerational appeal. "The Yiddish Theatre tackled controversial topics like women's rights, abortion, class struggles between people of different races and religions, anti-Semitism and other topics which remain relevant in today's society," she explained.

These lavish productions -- featuring opulent costumes and set designs, live music, comedy and satire -- laid the foundation for vaudeville, Broadway, the Borscht Belt, Marx Brothers' comedies and other uniquely American entertainment styles, added Steinberg.

Many of the artists who have contributed their talents to productions of 'The Thomashefskys' are well-known to contemporary theater-goers. Tony Award-winning actor and singer Shuler Hensley -- who most recently performed on Broadway in "Oklahoma," and who has starred in "The Legend of Zorro" and "Van Helsing" -- plays the adult Boris Thomashefsky.

Eugene Brancoveanu, who has performed lead roles in major American opera company productions of "The Little Prince," "Carmina Burana" and "Don Giovanni," depicts him as a younger man.

Israeli-born soprano Ronit Widmann-Levy, who has received accolades for her operatic and concert performances throughout the world, sings the music of Bessie Thomashefsky as a young woman. Her repertory includes the roles of Violetta, Constanza, Madama Butterfly, Micaela, Mimi, Liù, Gilda and Freia.

Judy Blazer, who has starred in the Broadway productions of "Me and My Girl," "Titanic," "45 Seconds From Broadway," and "LoveMusik," and has sung with the New York City Opera and Metropolitan Opera companies, plays the adult Bessie Thomashefsky. She has also been a featured artist on two PBS specials: "Bernstein's New York" and "In Performance at the White House."

Steinberg emphasized that audiences who attend the Philadelphia production of "The Thomashefskys" will be "participants in a truly historic event," as this is one of the final scheduled live performances.

Sponsors are Blank Rome; Berger & Montague; Cozen O'Connor; Zarwin Baum DeVito Kaplan Schaer Toddy; Albert Einstein Healthcare Network; Fox Rothschild; Goldsteins' Rosenberg's Raphael-Sacks; Heffler, Radetich & Smith; Joseph Levine & Sons; Morison Cogen; Hangley Aronchick Segal & Pudlin; Parkway Corporation; Saul Ewing; Shechtman Marks Devor; and Young Adjustment Company, Inc.

Tickets range in price, depending on location. To purchase, call 215-893-1999 or go to: TicketPhiladelphia.org. Groups of 10 or more may buy tickets by calling 215-875-7695.