IMPRESARIOS OF THE YIDDISH THEATRE
How They Sought to Survive and Thrive in Difficult Times
 

 ABRAHAM LITTMAN
Detroit, Michigan

"He'll Bring Best Yiddish Plays Here
Despite All Obstacles"

LITTMAN WON'T BE THWARTED

Abraham Littman, manager of the Yiddish theatrical performances in Detroit for more than 20 years, has become a one-man institution in Detroit. He has carried the burden of guaranteeing the status of the Yiddish theatre here and has zealously tried to give Detroit a permanent Yiddish playhouse.

Last year, the home of Yiddish theater on 12th street, was turned into a movie house, and Mr. Littman was compelled to abandon sponsorship of a regular, weekend theater. Instead, he sponsored occasional performances at the Scottish Rite Cathedral of the Masonic Temple.

His next performance there will be the Yiddish version of "Tomorrow the World," which will be presented on Sunday evening.

Mr. Littman refuses to be thwarted in his efforts on behalf of the Yiddish legitimate theater. The story he tells of his experiences here is, in more than one sense, an important bit of Detroit Jewish history.

 


"My association with the Yiddish theater in Detroit dates back 21 years," Mr. Littman reminisces. "I began in the Circle Theater on Hastings St, and although 98 per cent of the Jewish Detroit already had moved to other sections, this theater was the center of Jewish theatrical life.

"The first three seasons--1923 to 1926--were fairly successful ones. But a new home had to be found for the Yiddish theater. I had a successful season at the Majestic Theater on Woodward Avenue, and in 1927 I opened the playhouse on 12th street under the name Littman's Yiddish People's Theater, and it functioned for two seasons.

"The financial crash of 1929 put the damper on theatrical activities. But I was stubborn and despite heavy losses I kept the theater going. The usual nine weekly performances were reduced to seven, then to five, soon to three, and often I was able to arrange for only one performance a week, in order to reduce the costs.

"Reuben Guskin, manager of the Jewish Actors' Union, was helpful, but conditions led to a period of near-starvation for Yiddish actors. Nevertheless, we carried on, until the sad occurrence of last year, which caused the end of the Yiddish theatre in Detroit.

"I ask myself, and I ask the Jews of Detroit, "Is it possible that Detroit will b without a Yiddish theater?"

"I refuse to believe it, and therefore I have devoted myself to bringing to this city the best casts in the best available plays--even if the performances are infrequent.

"It is because of my devotion to the Yiddish theater that I am bringing to Detroit plays like 'Tomorrow the World,' which will be produced here Sunday evening, Feb. 25, by a truly great cast.

"Will Detroit back me up? I believe that Detroit Jews will vote in favor of Yiddish performances and will justify my faith in them and in the Yiddish theater."

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You can read more about Abraham Littman at http://www.museumoffamilyhistory.com/lyt-littmans-peoples-detroit.htm.

You can read the English translation of Littman's "Lexicon of the Yiddish Theatre" biography at http://www.museumoffamilyhistory.com/yt/lex/L/littman-abraham.htm.

You can read a memoir of someone who once ushered in Littman's theatre at http://www.museumoffamilyhistory.com/yt-recollections-rosner-detroit.htm.

 


 

 

 

 


 

 

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Article is from Detroit's newspaper, "The Jewish News," February 21,1945.
 

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