In the play—that scene—
falling rain, a soft drumming on the stage,
two women in white nightgowns, dance and kiss
glorious, not indecent—
later, in the Lodz ghetto,
they perform again–
the drumming of jackboots looms–
the play’s not indecent, their reality is.
Paula Vogel’s play, Indecent, is a play about a play Sholem Asch’s 1903 drama God of Vengeance, which was performed in Yiddish in Europe, then in Yiddish theaters in the U.S. When it was translated into English and performed on Broadway it triggered an obscenity trial in 1923. The play was performed in the Lodz ghetto with a diminishing cast and audience. This sounds very depressing, but I love this play, and there is humor and joy in it, too. And that rain dance scene. (If you’re a PBS member and have Passport you may be able to see the play on Great Performances online.)
This is a quadrille for Mish’s dVerse prompt using the word, “drum,” and it also addresses Anmol’s Pride Month prompt
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
It’s all in the mind of the interpreters, because we are biased toward others, that’s why we label them…
Yes, we see others through our own lenses–and judge them according to our own beliefs.
This looks powerful
I really love this play. We saw it first on TV, then live in a theater.
Even today this is an issue for some when it shouldn’t be.
Yes, most definitely.
Your last verse is my favorite because of its strength.
Thank you ver much!
You have me curious about the rain dance scene, Merrill. Thanks so much for sharing this.
Thank you, Jill. Maybe you’ll be able to find it online.
It’s indecent that it was called “indecent.” Like another commentor said, your last line has power.
Thank you very much, Pam.
glorious not indecent…exactly. And your words are so ethereal too–I imagine that is the atmosphere the play has. (K)
Thank you so much, Kerfe. The rain scene is ethereal. Other parts are funny and somber.
We are so busy being judgmental. unaware of our own warts and foibles.
Yes, that’s true. And some people will censor anything they do not approve of.
Love the title and your collaboration of the prompts. And who are we to judge anyways.
Thank you very much, Mish!
How attitudes have changed – and how much further we have to go!
Yes, indeed. Thanks.
Indecent is as indecent does… I swear. If people would stop judging based on their close-mindedness, this world would be so much friendlier. Glorious is! As is your wonderful Quadrille. Hope it comes ’round again in some form for me to see.
Thanks so much, Dale. I hope you get a chance to see it, too.
🙂
This sounds like a play worth watching… Indecency is a word I don’t care so much for, especially not when put into law (usually it’s more hypocrisy which is anyway a greater sin)
Thank you. Yes, if you ever get the chance to see the play, I think it’s excellent. I agree. It was only when the original play hit the more conservative audiences that it was closed and the obscenity trial took place. But I’m sure there are people now who would think both the original play and this one are indecent.
This is so evocative! ❤️ I would love to watch this play 🙂 I feel the world is becoming more and more judgemental as the decades pass. If only they would see beyond race, religion, ethnicity, and sexual preference.
Thank you very much. I love this play. And I agree.
thanks for the reference. will need to find it. having grown up in my context, I was SHOCKED! SHOCKED! when I came to realize that it was not indecent of me to being both transgender and lesbian, finally feeling decent and whole and right after decades. We have always been here.
Appreciate you.
You’re welcome and thank you, Lona. If you’re a PBS member, you can probably find it online on Great Performances. And yes, you have always been here. Related to the play, my older daughter is a bit obsessed with two women artists who were in the Lodz ghetto and who were most likely a couple. And Rachel Hope Cleves wrote a book about a lesbian couple in early New England. There are also story of trans individuals in early American history. You might like this: https://www.brainpickings.org/2014/08/13/charity-and-sylvia-marriage/
I loved the article! Thank you!💕
😀