New York audiences in the early 1920s were shocked when a lesbian character appeared on stage in Sholem Asch's play "God of Vengeance."

In fact, obscenity charges were lodged several days after the play opened, and a vice squad arrested the producer and cast. The trial that followed fanned the flames of censorship, homophobia and anti-Semitism in New York, and resulted in the first successful conviction of a play on the grounds of obscenity.

The Yale School of Drama will present the true story of the play that shocked Broadway in "The People vs. The God of Vengeance," adapted and directed by Rebecca Taichman.

The adaptation, which weaves together Asch's "God of Vengeance," (translated from Yiddish by Isaac Goldberg and Joachim Neugroschel) with the transcript of the production's 1923 obscenity trial, will be staged May 8-13 at the Yale Repertory Theatre, 1120 Chapel St.

In "God of Vengeance," a brothel keeper tries to shelter his daughter from his corrupt business. His hopes for her redemption collapse when she falls in love with a prostitute from the brothel. Days after the play opened, Rabbi Joseph Silverman of New York City's prestigious Temple Emanu-el lodged a complaint with the Grand Jury, and the obscenity charges were ultimately lodged.

"As a Yiddish renaissance is born, my generation is posed to become the caretakers of a vital memory," says playwright and director Taichman. "I hope this project will do justice to one of those memories. 'The People vs. The God of Vengeance' centers around a moment of possibility -- an iridescent moment in which anything was possible. The play investigates how, in an excruciating fight for justice, that moment was missed."

After three years of development, the latest incarnation of "The People vs. The God of Vengeance" is the M.F.A. thesis project of Taichman. Prior to attending Yale, she co-created and directed the Obie Award-winning "Menopausal Gentlemen," which has been touring internationally since 1997. She has assisted several directors at Roundabout Theatre Company, and performed in Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's production of "No Mercy" in Shelykova, Russia. She is the former casting director of American Place Theatre in New York City.

Serving as musical director for the production is Michael Alpert, world-renowned musician and composer. Alpert was musical director for the PBS Great Performances special "Itzhak Perlman: In the Fiddler's House," which won a 1996 Emmy Award. Alpert has been featured in two documentaries about klezmer music, "A Jumpin' Night in the Garden of Eden" and "Fiddler on the Hoof." He has made 16 recordings with various ensembles, including the new Jewish music ensemble Brave Old World and the klezmer ensemble Kapeleye.

The cast of "The People vs. The God of Vengeance" includes Rick Bank, Lucia Brawley, Keith David, Robert L. Devaney, Lael Logan, Mark Mattek, Alicia Roper and Frank Vigliotti. The production design team includes scenic designer Tobin Ost, costume designer Cameron Lee Roberts, lighting designer Paul Whitaker, sound designer Brian MacQueen and dramaturgs Rebecca Ann Rugg and Kate Bredeson.

In conjunction with this production is the conference "Sholem Asch Reconsidered," an attempt to take a fresh look at Asch and his work (see related story, above). One of the best known and most controversial Yiddish writers of the 20th century, Asch was the first Yiddish writer to be known and appreciated in English translation. Yet his work was dismissed when he expressed his strongly held beliefs that Jews and Christians should live together in harmony.

Showtimes for "The People vs. The God of Vengeance," sponsored in part by The Holiday Inn at Yale, are 7 p.m. on Monday and 8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Tickets are $12-$15, with discounts for students, seniors, Yale Rep subscribers and groups of 10 or more. On Monday, May 8, the performance is pay-what-you-can. For more information and reservations, call the Yale Rep box office at (203) 432-1234 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S

Conservationist's gift establishes environmental studies professorship

More attention to the environment is needed, EPA administrator says

Graduate students honor their mentors with a new award

Twelve individuals honored for improving town-gown connections

Mammograms lower rate of breast cancer recurrence, study finds

Talk marks opening of center for children exposed to violence

Scholar decries abuse of women to create pornography

Baseball commissioner talks about players' responsibility

Event examines life, work of controversial Yiddish writer

Student drama centers on play once charged with being obscene

Exhibit to explore how artists depicted Africa in 20th century

Satellite images aid study of environmental threats in Africa

Celebration of Russian literature on view at Beinecke

Architecture project benefits 'fragile' city neighborhood

Yale student groups honored for service to community

Yale Physicians Building to be city's newest art exhibit space

Graduate student scientists sharing their research at two-day symposium

Agrarian Studies marks 10th year with conference

In thanks,Yale physician receives Yankees baseball

English Department alumni will consider 'Prospects for the New Century'

Memorial service to celebrate life of John Blassingame

Divinity School Search Committee Correction

Campus Notes

Yale Scoreboard

In the News

Bulletin Home|Visiting on Campus| Calendar of Events|Bulletin Board

Classified Ads|Search Archives|Production Schedule|Bulletin Staff

Public Affairs Home|News Releases| E-Mail Us|Yale Home Page