How Al Jolson helped to remake America
A new biography from Richard Bernstein explores the meteoric success of the Jewish performer, while confronting the reviled practice of blackface that made Jolson a star
Vaudeville
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Culture Jewish audiences and Samuel Beckett revered this clown — so did Adolf Hitler
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Culture In the rarified world of Jewish letters, a mind-boggling font of Jewish history
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Culture The Fine Jewish Art of Burlesque
Sometimes they hold hands; other times they dance by themselves. But make no mistake: The Schlep Sisters— Minnie Tonka and Darlinda Just Darlinda — are emotionally committed to each other as they peel off their clothes in a burlesque parody of sibling love gone demented. To the tune of The Barry Sisters warbling in Yiddish,…
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Culture Send in the Jewish Clowns (Jugglers and Acrobats, Too)
Grimacing fiercely, muscular arms quivering, Adam Real Man slowly straightens a metal horseshoe as the crowd stares, grinning in disbelief. His feat of strength is spot-on entertainment at the opening night reception of ‘Topsy Turvy: Coney Island Artists and the Amusement Utopia” at the Deutsche Bank’s 60 Wall Gallery. His skills are improbable. Even more…
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