DI MEGILEH to Run 3/6-10 at JCC East Bay

The Yiddish Theater Collective in collaboration with KlezCalifornia and the 29th Jewish Music Festival willpresent the West Coast Premiere of Itzik Manger's Purim musical, Di Megileh, long beloved by Israeli and New York audiences for its catchy songs, sparkling humor, political satire and the tale of star-crossed lovers. Performances will be given at the JCC East Bay on March 6 & 8 at 8 pm, March 9 at 2 pm, and Monday March 10 at 1 pm.

Di Megileh is a witty Purim shpiel with book and lyrics by Itzik Manger, one of the 20th century's great Yiddish poets, and music by Dov Seltzer, one of Israel's top composers. Set against the backdrop of immigrant New York City during Yiddish theater's golden age, the characters of Queen Esther's court tell a Purim story never learned in Hebrew school! All of the spoken and sung Yiddish will be super-titled in English.

The staged concert presentation will be directed and choreographed by Bruce Bierman, with musical direction by Achi Ben Shalom. The cast features Bay Area theater and Jewish music stars Berel Alexander, Linda Hirschhorn, Heather Klein, Eliana Kissner, Joan Mankin, Naomi Newman and Gerry Tenney.

The JCC East Bay is located at 1414 Walnut Street in Berkeley. Tickets ($20 - $22 for March 6, 8 & 9, and $12-$15 for March 10) may be obtained through the 29th Jewish Music Festival website: http://www.jewishmusicfestival.org/events/di-megileh.