The Tenth Man

A Tony-nominated play by Paddy Chayefsky (the three-time Academy Award-winning author of Network, Marty, and The Hospital) presented in a newly commissioned Yiddish translation, directed by Tony Award-nominated director Eleanor Reissa.

The Tenth Man, which debuted on Broadway in 1959, is an American retelling of the dybbuk story as a touching human comedy in which we must question—who is really possessed: the young passionate religious granddaughter of one of the elderly congregants, or the successful yet cynical Manhattan lawyer? This play captures the struggle between Jewish generations, youth and old age, cynics and believers, scientists and mystics with a moving and surprising outcome.
 

“This play addresses the topic of spiritual crisis with astonishing warmth, humor, and depth, ”said Zalmen Mlotek, Artistic Director at the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene, “such a work is truly fitting for inclusion in our Season of Spiritual Resistance, as we explore spiritual struggle on the stage, in all its complexity and variety.”  “NYTF is proud to bring Paddy Chayefsky’s stimulating and touching work of art back to New York City, and for the first time anywhere, in Yiddish,” added Dominick Balletta, Executive Director at the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene. “This production promises to leave audiences rethinking the ways they look at faith, no matter where their beliefs lie.”

Director and translator Eleanor Reissa’s directing credits include: Those Were The Days (Broadway), God of Vengeance (New Yiddish Rep; Off-Broadway) and Desperate Measures  (Off-Broadway). Her acting credits include: Indecent  (Broadway), God of Vengeance (New Yiddish Rep; Off-Broadway), and Those Were the Days (Broadway).

Chayefsky’s play challenges us to answer the question, ‘What is this evil spirit that inhabits us? Is it cynicism, hatred, or bitterness?" ... "This play, although set in a world gone by, poses questions that are as relevant today as ever".

The Tenth Man is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French Inc. a Concord Theatricals Company.

Creative Team

by

Paddy Chayefsky

Translation by

Eleanor Reissa and Harvey Varga

Directed by

Eleanor Reissa

Scenic design by

James Noone

Costume design by

Tracy Christensen

Lighting design by

Betsy Adams

Sound design by

Dan Moses Schreier

Prop Design and Fabrication

Kathy Fabian/Propstar LLC

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–Joel Grey