Theater Latté Da is now showing Indecent, a play that explores the history of Yiddish theater, Jewish identity, censorship, and queer love.
Indecent, written by Paula Vogel, is based on a true story from Sholem Asch’s 1906 Yiddish play God of Vengeance. Indecent follows the story of God of Vengeance as it made its way from Europe to Broadway. After being translated to English, God of Vengeance was shut down for indecency, with cast members being arrested and found guilty.
The show’s director, Pirrone Yousefzadeh, explained that God of Vengeance holds history on Broadway, as it is the first play where two women kissed on stage.
“It is a story of the power of story,” said Yousefzadeh. “I think it’s a love letter to theater, and I think it underscores how important free artistic expression is to a democratic society.”
Indecent covers nearly 50 years of mounting danger and fear for Jewish artists and the work. However, Yousefzadeh explained that she doesn’t want Jewish identity to only be defined by oppression. Therefore, Indecent celebrates Yiddish theater and Jewish culture through music like klezmer.
“I think that the play asks more questions than it answers about what it means to be Jewish and what it means to be Jewish now,” said Yousefzadeh.
Another major theme explored throughout Indecent is LGBTQ+ identity and love. Indecent follows a relationship between two women in love, Rifkala and Manke, in God of Vengeance. The goal of Indecent is to show a time when being gay was illegal and those involved faced persecution.
Yousefzadeh explained how Indecent explores the connections between Jewish and LGBTQ+ history.
“I think the play is also offering a portrayal of queer love that is beautiful,” said Yousefzadeh. “Our survival and our liberation are interconnected with all groups. It isn’t just Jewish folk or queer folk. It’s all of us together.”
The production includes music, dance, and song throughout the story. Yousefzadeh describes the watching experience as a “full meal”, with many different elements working together at once.
Yousefzadeh highlighted the collaboration between cast members, choreographer Emily Michaels King, and music director Spencer Chandler for making this show possible.
“A play of this scope, with all of the elements and all of the cultural accuracy and sensitivity that it requires, is really only made possible by a stellar team,” Yousefzadeh said.
Indecent is showing at Ritz Theater in Minneapolis through October 18, with post-show talk-backs scheduled on select Thursdays and Sundays.