Theater News

Ron Rifkin to Appear in Reading of New Play King of the Jews

The reading is presented by National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene.

Ron Rifkin will appear in a reading of the new play King of the Jews.
Ron Rifkin will appear in a reading of the new play King of the Jews.
(© David Gordon)

National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene has announced casting for a free reading of Leslie Epstein's King of the Jews on Monday, March 5, at the Museum of Jewish Heritage.

The reading will feature Ron Rifkin, Mary Illes, Jim Shankman, Doug Shapiro, Daniel Oreskes, Hal Robinson, David Lavine, Serena Ryen, J.P. Sarro, Charles Karel, Bruce Rebold, and Adam Kaster (stage directions).

The reading is directed by Alexandra Aron and produced by the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in association with with Anya Epstein and Danny Futterman.

The play is described thusly: "King of the Jews tells the story of a runaway boy. When he seeks refuge in their cafe, 10 unassuming Jews in Nazi-occupied Poland find themselves selected to form a Jewish ghetto council in charge of policing their own people. Led by the morally ambiguous Doctor Trumpelman, the council revels in their newfound power until they are faced with the impossible task of handing over the names of 100 of their fellow Jews. Unable to choose and unable to disobey, the council members grapple with the assignment of sentencing their own people to death."

To reserve tickets, email RSVP@NYTF.org.