Wirtz Center presents story exploring Judaism and queerness
Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning play “Indecent” on stage for only two weekends
EVANSTON, Ill. --- Northwestern's Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts presents “Indecent,” for two weekends beginning April 21.
“Indecent,” written by Paula Vogel, has been described as a deeply moving, true story of the events surrounding the controversial 1923 Broadway debut of Sholem Asch’s “God of Vengeance,” which depicted the first lesbian kiss on a Broadway stage.
“God of Vengeance,” an evocative work of Jewish culture, was praised and criticized for taboo themes of censorship, immigration, queerness and anti-Semitism. It had a short run due to obscenity charges against the artists involved. In “Indecent,” a troupe of actors and musicians recount their involvement with the production and take the audience on a journey spanning 50 years.
Directed by Kelsey Leigh Ervi, a graduate student in the School of Communication, “Indecent” begins in 1906 Poland, when “God of Vengeance” was first written. When the play premiered on Broadway nearly 20 years later, the producer and cast were arrested and convicted on obscenity charges.
“Jewish and queer people have been and continue to be falsely demonized,” Ervi said. “This play speaks to the importance of uplifting the stories of those communities so that we as a society don't repeat the atrocities of the past.”
The identities in “Indecent” cover the immigrant story, the story of an artist, a queer person, and the story of Jewish people and culture.
“What's so beautiful about this play is that it has connections to many different identities,” said Ervi. “There's so much celebration in this play. I hope that audiences walk away feeling seen, and that they recognize it's through community that we truly heal together.”
A talkback with director Kelsey Leigh Ervi and Rabbi Rachel Weiss of Evanston's Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation (JRC) is scheduled for Thursday, April 27, immediately following the show. The discussion will be facilitated by dramaturg Noah Marcus.
“Indecent” will be performed in the Josephine Louis Theater, 20 Arts Circle Drive, on the Evanston campus, April 21 through April 30. Tickets are available online or in-person at the Wirtz Center Box Office, Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, noon to 4 p.m., located in the Barber Theater lobby at 30 Arts Circle Drive or by calling (847) 491-7282.
The Wirtz Center is a member of the Northwestern Arts Circle, which brings together film, humanities, literary arts, music, theater, dance and visual arts.