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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. 1908, Berlin: The Deutches Theatre Elsa Heimes and Freida Niemann begins with Freida and Elsa, speaking in German, about the play they will both be in and will be what?

2. When Sholem tells Madje he is headed backstage to find the producer, what does he tell her to do?

3. What is Sholem's response when Madje asks if they will stop the show because of the content of the show?

4. O’Neill believes that the court will claim that the problem with the show is what?

5. What other cities are listed in which the performance stays the same?

Short Essay Questions

1. What takes place in the play within the play in Beginning of Act Three?

2. What is Rabbi Silverman's beliefs regarding the underground Jewish prostitution ring?

3. What do Madje and Sholem decide is best for his health?

4. How do both Madje and Sholem feel about his trip abroad to learn more about the pogroms?

5. What is the doctor's recommendation to Sholem?

6. What is the response to Virginia's acting?

7. Why is Sholem seen by a doctor?

8. Who bails the cast out of jail?

9. What are Freida's and Elsa's responses regarding being Jewish?

10. What takes place in Cast and Producer Arrested for Obscenity?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Both Yiddish and English are spoken or used as subtitles throughout the play. How does this add to the play and the culture of the characters? How does the use of Yiddish from the very beginning of the play help to set the scene? The playwright describes the use of dialects to distinguish the understanding of English from one character to another. Do you find this to be a creative and useful way to show this distinction? Why or why not? Why might the playwright have decided to put so much focus on language in this play?

Essay Topic 2

The members of the troupe play multiple roles in the play, as well as form an ensemble/chorus. What is the purpose of the ensemble when it is not directly related to the scene taking place? How does the playwright also use song and dance to support the story? Does Vogel and the direction by Taichmann effectively use the ensemble to either help tell the story or give insight into the setting, characters, and/or plot? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Life in Europe takes a turn for the worse for the troupe and other Jews towards the end of the play. How is this foreshadowed? How does the playwright remind and/or educate the viewer on the atrocities of the Holocaust? Is this effective? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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