The show goes on(line) for Yiddish theater company

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The cast of the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene’s off-Broadway production of Fiddler on the Roof. Photo via Folksbiene/Instagram

The cast of the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene’s off-Broadway production of Fiddler on the Roof. Photo via Folksbiene/Instagram

By Rachel Vick

The show must go on for a Yiddish theater company — despite the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Rather than perform in-person, however, the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene launched an online series titled “Folksbiene LIVE!” last week. The streamed videos featured living room performances from “Fiddler on the Roof,” featuring Astoria native Ben Liebert.

“We recognize that in times such as these, as people are socially distancing themselves, arts and culture can serve as a tonic, and we are doing what we can to bring solace and a modicum of joy to our audience and foster connection and community,” Director Zalmen Mlotek said. 

“During these troubling times, we look to inspirational or humorous songs, and celebrate our Yiddish culture, its influence, and how it manifested itself in America in the creative minds of people like Mickey Katz, Allan Sherman, and Tom Lerer, among many others,” Mlotek added.

The performances have been streamed on the company’s Facebook page and include conversations with the theater’s artistic director Motl Didner, as well as performers. 

This week’s performances include Living Room Concert Encore: Special Requests & Yiddish Comedy Treasures with Artistic Director Zalmen Mlotek at 7 p.m. on Thursday, and “Spiritual Resistance During the Coronavirus,” a conversation with Rabbi Avram Mlotek at 2 p.m. on Friday.

Folksbiene will announce additional performances in the coming days, the company said. More information is available on their website.

“The Folksbiene has produced performances in every season since 1915,” Didner said. “We have inspired and lifted spirits through many ups and downs. And we are so proud of our family of performers who are dedicated to sharing their talents in the service of others. The show must go on.” 

The company’s production of “The Tenth Man” is still set to begin previews on May 17.