Now Playing - Production Staff - Opening Night Photos

I.W. "ITZY" FIRESTONE (Elimylekh) is proud to be with the Folksbiene since 1976. He has played many roles in over 25 productions. Ironically, he portrayed Robert in the 1982 production of Ksube. Little did he know he would be portraying Elimeylekh 26 years later. Amongst his favorite roles are Gimpel in Di Nextdorike, Godinski in Yashke ant Muzikant and Shneyerson in Hard to be a Jew. He has appeared in many Off Broadway and regional theatres: Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls, Fagan in Oliver and Artie Shaugnessy in House of Blue Leaves are amongst the favorite characters he has portrayed. He was the Landlord in The Telltale Heart by Edgar Allen Poe and Mr.Wellman in A Holiday at the Wellmans. He is a graduate of the Circle in the Square Theatre School.

SUZANNE TOREN (Shifre) has appeared on and off Broadway, and in regional theatres throughout the country, to frequent critical acclaim. Broadway: Goodbye, Fidel (starring Jane Alexander). Regional: Great Expectations, A Tale of Two Cities (Paper Mill Playhouse), A View from the Bridge (Philadelphia Drama Guild), Brighton Beach Memoirs (Pennsylvania Stage Company), The Seagull (Syracuse Stage). Off- Broadway: A Shayna Maidel; FromDoor to Door (Westside Theatre), The Disputation (Jewish Repertory Theatre), Di Ludmirer Moyd (Folksbiene). Off-off Broadway: Denial, The Melting Pot (Metropolitan Playhouse), Lenny and Lou (29th St. Rep). TV: Law and Order. Suzanne is an award-winning narrator of audio books; she has recorded hundreds for the Library of Congress , Recorded Books, Inc., Time Warner, BBC America, etc. She performs often in Yiddish, and has participated in numerous readings and outreach programs with the Folksbiene. She extends "a groysn hartsikn dank" to all who have helped her with this role ’Äìyou know who you are!

ILAN KWITTKEN (Buki) received national attention at the age of 22 when he won the "Joan for a Day" contest which culminated with Ilan hosting and starring with Joan Rivers on The Late Show (FOX). Ilan wrote and developed a critically acclaimed one-man-show called Permission To Laugh, which was presented off-broadway. As a singer, Ilan has been a fillin cantor and performs benefit performances of "pro-peace"music. He is currently working on his solo CD. Some Theatre Credits: The Hating Pot (original cast, Liz Swados), The Real Live Brady Bunch, Vagabond Stars (Jewish Rep. in FL). Ilan is thrilled to be performing for the 4th time with the Folksbiene. Past shows include: The Maiden of Ludmir, A Klezmer's Tale and Yentl. Some of many television credits: The Apollo Comedy Hour (sketch comedy series regular), Law And Order, The Sopranos, USA Up All Night, Entertainment Tonight. Ilan is president and editor-in-chief of Mentortainment tv.com, where you can catch his many comedic characters (video clips & more). Film credits include: Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist (Sony, Fall ’Äò08), Mendy (Avrumi), Women On the Verge (Barb E.), Telemarketers (Dr. Greg Moore), The Seven Deadly Sins (Greed). Ilan holds a BFA in Drama from Syracuse University. He dedicates this performance to the memory of his very recently deceased father, John Kwittken.

MENA LEVIT (Yafa) born and raised in a Yiddish ’Äì speaking family, she began her performing career at a very early age in the Vilna Folksteatr. Graduated from Vilna State Conservatory in Lithuania, where she received her Master Degree in Vocal Performance and pedagogy, dramatic soprano Mena Levit has a rich and colorful performing career. As a soloist, she participated in International Musical Festivals, has successfully performed in the world ’Äì class music theatres and concert halls in different parts of the world. She has been a soloist of Vilnius Philharmonic, Moscow Chamber Musical Jewish Theatre, New Israeli Opera for many years, has her performances recorded on Radio, TV shows and CD. Her leading roles in the theatre are widely ranged from the operas and musicals to the Yiddish Theatre: The Turn of the Screw, Tales of Hoffman, Hanzel and Gretel, Cavaleria Rusticana, The Queen of Spades, Aleko, Cabare, Chicago, Lady in the Dark,Menchn, Di Kishefmachern, Tzvei hundert toyzn, Der Fidler oyfn Dach, Freilechs, Mazl Tov, etc. She has traveled extensively through the former USSR, Europe Israel and USA with a multilingual operatic and chamber music repertoire as well as entire Yiddish recitals ’Äì Lomir Ale Ineinem, From Shtetl to Broadway, Jewels of the Diaspora etc. She is an award winner for outstanding achievements in musical theatre in Israel. Presently, Mrs. Levit lives and continues her singing and teaching career in Boston, USA.

DANI MARCUS (Ayala) made her Folksbiene debut as Malke (Mabel) in the Drama Desk nominated Di Yam Gazlonim, and went on to take part in A Yiddish Vaudeville, starring Bruce Adler. She appeared as Bessie Two in River's End at the New York Musical Theatre Festival, and Harriet Smith in the world premiere production of Paul Gordon's Emma at TheatreWorks. Some of her other regional credits include Songs for a New World (Woman One) at The Empire Plush Room, Beggar's Holiday (Polly Peachum, Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Award) for Marin Theatre Company, and Steve Silver's Beach Blanket Babylon (Snow White). Dani is a proud member of Actors Equity.

EYAL SHERF (Robert) is delighted to return to the National Yiddish Theatre, having understudied and performed the title role of Fayvl (Frederick) in its 2007 Drama Desk nominated revival of The Pirates of Penzance. Other NYC credits include: Peace Man, Innocent Diversions... with Jane Austen and Friends, Tonight at 8:30, Ragtime, 5XWilder, Oh Lady! Lady! (Musicals Tonight!), Our Town, The Theory of the Leisure Class (first staged reading); for Connecticut's Award-Winning Ivoryton Playhouse - Cabaret (Ernst). With England's BSSD Theatre Company: Into TheWoods, Women Beware Women, Three Sisters. Other UK work: Beguiled Again (European Premiere), Sondhiem Concerts (Birmingham Old Rep, Cleo Laine Theatre), and the Poel Festival of Shakespearian Drama. Training: NYU (Master's), Michael Chekhov Studio, England's Birmingham School of Speech and Drama (Bachelor's). Thanks to Diane, Michael, Motl, Zalmen, Herschl, Marci, the cast and crew. In loving memory of mayn muti.

PATRICK FARRELL (Accordion) Patrick is a freelance accordionist living in Brooklyn. His current musical projects include, among others, Stagger Back Brass Band, Ljova and the Vjola Kontraband, Romashka, Michael Winograd's Klezmer Ensemble and Panorama Brass Band of New Orleans, LA. He has shared the stage with such klezmer luminaries as Frank London, Alicia Svigals and Margot Leverett and has also worked for numerous theater projects in various parts of the country, most notably as music director/arranger for She Loves Me, The Fantasticks, and The Baker's Wife at Performance Network Theater in Ann Arbor, MI. This is Patrick's first theater piece with the National Yiddish Theatre - Folksbiene, and he's very pleased to be involved. Many thanks to Artistic Director Zalmen Mlotek for his time and patience.

STEPHEN BORSUK (Pianist) made his debut at the age of three with the one fingered version of My Country Tis of Thee. Since then he has musically directed theater and cabaret. He also coaches privately and is pleased to be working with the Folksbiene for his second season.