Michael Tilson Thomas The Thomashefskys
I saw this scheduled on my PBS channel and tuned in expecting a Ken Burns documentary. I was interested in the subject matter because I had heard of the Yiddish Theater serving as the precursor for much of Broadway and movies, and of the Tomashefsky's in particular (including the famous enema joke when Boris died) but had no first hand experience. I was delightfully surprised and blown away that not only was there archival footage, but grandson Michael Tilson Thomas conducting the New World Orchestra, and great young singing actors portraying the parts. Contrary to another reviewer, I think Judy Blazer, who plays Bessie is absolutely outstanding. She has that magic spark in abundance. And when I found out that she's now 55 years old, I was blown away again. She looks like she's 30. So get a hold of this production already, and klive nachas!
Get your Michael Tilson Thomas The Thomashefskys Now!
While I love theater in general, I had no particular connection to Yiddish theater history and had only a passing familiarity with the Thomashefsky name. Truthfully, I didn't really know whether or not I'd be interested in Michael Tilson Thomas' multimedia tribute to the legacy of his grandparents, Boris and Bessie Thomashevsky. Well, not only was I fascinated by their engaging story, I was absolutely charmed by this first rate production. Filmed from a live performance at the New World Center in Miami (complete with the New World Orchestra), this rich piece of loving commemoration includes lush music, fantastic singing, astute comedic performances, an entertaining narration, and plenty of supplementary visual material. It is a stage show that is somewhat hard to describe as it seems both straightforward in presentation while structurally succeeding on a number of different levels. This personal history is accessible and fun despite its serious moments, and Tilson Thomas brings the measured approach of a real showman in telling the tale of Boris and Bessie.
BalasHapusTilson Thomas serves as both the principle narrator and the orchestra conductor for this homage to the "Music and Memories of a Life in the Yiddish Theater." While relating personal stories can be dull, Tilson Thomas and company put on a show worthy of the Thomashefskys. Around his anecdotes, actors and singers stage significant parts of the journey. Judy Blazer is quite appealing as Bessie and Shuler Hensley (who I last saw as the monster in Broadway's Young Frankenstein) is charming, but purposefully blustery, as Boris. As the two come together and really give birth to the Yiddish Theater in America, the presentation is interesting from a factual standpoint but complete entertainment as well. They are supported by terrific vocal performances by Eugene Brancoveanu and Ronit Widmann-Levy. Songs throughout are performed in both Yiddish and English. Tilson Thomas has a light touch as the emcee (and also gets a musical interlude), the orchestra is great, and the show also feature pictures and clips of the actual Thomashevskys.
If you are a fan of the Thomashevskys or are particularly interested in Yiddish theater, this makes an easy recommendation. But its appeal shouldn't be limited to just these groups. I love theater and so I loved this excellent staging. And if I learned a bit in the process of being entertained, so be it! Worse things have happened. The DVD presentation is enhanced by an informative 16 page booklet insert about the Thomashevskys while the Bonus Footage includes extended orchestrations, information about the New World Theater, and personal contributions from Tilson Thomas. The presentation is in English and Yiddish with English subtitles available. This one caught me by surprise. I didn't think I wanted to see it, but I was wrong! KGHarris, 4/12.
A great production, very entertaining and humorous. Have viewed it over and over again. The best Yiddish theatre production we have ever seen.
BalasHapus
BalasHapusI enjoyed this folkloric telling of Michael Tilson Thomas's grandparents. In his intro, MTT talks of all the different sources that were used to put this story together and I love the parts he would tell us was from the family at dinners or in daily life events. The setting is equally intimate - two large chairs, a rug and side tables with a lamp for each of them (one for each grandparent), MTT's use of actual photos of the time (shades of Ken Burns and a slide show) with MTT talking to us (because the intimacy has moved us away from audience to guests hearing a family story) about what happened next to whom.
BalasHapusNow the music - the history of the Yiddish theatre and hearing the music -as a lover of musicals, operettas, some opera and classical (as well as other music), I could hear and see what influences are in the genre today. As I listen to the music, I could hear elements of Jerry Herman, Gershwin's use of solo instruments giving the feeling of being alone and individual before the crowd of instruments pour into the music, and Fiddler on the Roof even Hello Dolly! had an aura that reminded me of MTT's grandmother. Of course Yentil, Funny Girl and Funny Lady and elements of Albert Nodds are stories his grandmother was a part of first with the help of his grandfather producing and often writing her in.
Even politically hearing her song of a woman president and women's rights was a joy and these lyrics are a strong reminder for me in this political year of 2012.
MTT has invited all of us to this - please as you get your invite, drop by and bring the leftovers home or in this case get the DVD and enjoy it again and again.
I saw this scheduled on my PBS channel and tuned in expecting a Ken Burns documentary. I was interested in the subject matter because I had heard of the Yiddish Theater serving as the precursor for much of Broadway and movies, and of the Tomashefsky's in particular (including the famous enema joke when Boris died) but had no first hand experience. I was delightfully surprised and blown away that not only was there archival footage, but grandson Michael Tilson Thomas conducting the New World Orchestra, and great young singing actors portraying the parts. Contrary to another reviewer, I think Judy Blazer, who plays Bessie is absolutely outstanding. She has that magic spark in abundance. And when I found out that she's now 55 years old, I was blown away again. She looks like she's 30. So get a hold of this production already, and klive nachas!
BalasHapus