Making its St. Louis debut, the Tony Award-winning play, “Indecent” tells the tale of controversy that surrounded another play in the early 20th century.
After a positive reception in Europe, Sholem Asch’s drama, “God of Vengeance” debuted on Broadway in 1923, at a time when waves of immigrants were changing the face of America. The revolutionary love story that celebrated Yiddish language and unconventional passion was forced from the stage by a fearful and reactionary public in New York. Its fate and the fate of the actors, who took great risk to perform it, are the subject of “Indecent.”
Written by Paula Vogel, who received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for her play, “How I Learned to Drive,” “Indecent” sets the scene with a compelling line: “We have a story we want to tell you about a play … a play that changed my life.”
Directed by Joanne Gordon, with musical direction by Ron McGowan, and choreography by Ellen Isom, Max & Louie Productions presents “Indecent” at The Grandel Theatre in the Grand Center Arts District.
“Indecent” was first produced in 2015. The play was nominated for three Tony Awards, winning Best Direction of a Play for Rebecca Taichman, and Lighting Design in a Play for Christopher Akerlind.
The play follows the actors who risked their lives and careers to perform “God of Vengeance,” which caused a scandal in the 1920s, because the plot involved a Jewish brothel owner and the love affair between his daughter and one of the prostitutes. A prominent New York rabbi filed a complaint, and a police detective arrived mid-performance to arrest the cast and producer for “obscene, indecent, immoral and impure material.”
“Indecent” includes energetic music and dance, and the seven actors and three musicians play a numerous roles across continents and decades of time.
The cast includes Paul Cereghino, Zoe Farmingdale, John Flack, Katie Karel, TJ Lancaster, Judi Mann and Tim Schall. Musicians are Alyssa Avery, Kris Pineda and Jack Thieling.
“Indecent” runs June 20 to 30. Tickets for previews on June 20 are $25 to $45. All other performance tickets are $40 to $60. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit maxandlouie.com/shows/indecent.
