Edited by Randi Bjornstad
The story
Sarah is struggling to survive her senior year of high school — new town, new school, and new boyfriend. She and her father, Paul, also are struggling to survive post-insurrection America, where everything has changed. When an ancient Yiddish-speaking woman is deposited on Sarah and Paul’s doorstep, they must decide whether to hide her, or to save themselves. Deborah Zoe Laufer is the playwright.
Oregon Contemporary Theatre has this show onstage for through Nov. 10. It’s part of a program called The National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere, described as “a program where a new play is simultaneously developed and produced by multiple member theaters across the country,” which gives new plays more exposure than they otherwise would have.
Here’s what some reviews around the country have said about The Last Yiddish Speaker:
• Broadway World — “a cautionary tale for our time, filled with warmth, humor and humanity.”
• New Play Exchange (1) — “What I love about this play is that, although set in a world of authoritarian conformity that feels terrifyingly plausible, individual characters are treated with such humanity and compassion. It’s a play that evokes a desire to connect with history and culture.”
• New Play Exchange (2) — “A play that pictures a world where being different (non-Christian and queer, for example) is a crime. A play about keeping one’s heritage alive. With an ending full of hope and despair…this play couldn’t be more relevant.”
Cast and crew
Oregon Contemporary Theatre’s production features Paul Rhoden as Paul, Payton Rosen as Sarah, Sam Hilbourne as John, and Rebecca Nachison as Chava.
Craig Willis, OCT’s producing artistic director, directs the show, with Martin Fogarty as assistant director. The production crew also includes Julianne Bodner (scenic design), Krysten Elkins (costume design), Ken Inouye (firearms director), Michaell A. Peterson (lighting design), Ryan Rusby (sound design), Laura Tuffli (production stage manager and properties design), and Inga Wilson (intimacy coordinator).
The Last Yiddish Speaker continues at OCT through Nov. 10
When: 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 7, 8, and 9 and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 10 (play runs 105 minutes with no intermission)
Where: Oregon Contemporary Theatre, 194 W. Broadway, downtown Eugene
Tickets: $25-$50 ($20 for students with current ID), available through the box office at 541-465-1506 or online at octheatre.org
