"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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