The biblical epic by writer Franz Werfel, composer Kurt Weill, and director Max Reinhardt, opened in New York in January 1937 and sold out its 153 performances, but closed less than six months
later due to extravagant casting and design. Friedman (holocaust and genocide studies and history, West Chester U., Pennsylvania) says it is relatively well known in academic circles, but has
not received the kind of attention that scholars have paid to other works by the three Jewish emigre titans. He finds its significance in its singular moment of expression of Jewish pride by
several colorful if complicated people. The study, he hopes, contributes to the history of American theater and to the study of how German-speaking emigres responded to Nazi persecution. It is
double spaced. Annotation 穢2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
