Irving Genn Books

For over fifty years, Joseph Buloff was a key figure in the Yiddish theatre. His wife, Luba Kadison Buloff, chronicles their careers in an account that spans six decades, from the early 1920s to the early 1980s, reflecting the evolution of Yiddish theatre in the 20th century. Drawing on Joe's correspondence, which earned him acclaim as "the most gifted actor on the Yiddish stage in America" by the "New York Times" in 1930, Luba offers a captivating behind-the-scenes glimpse into the life of a Yiddish actor during these dynamic years. Their journey begins with the Vilna Troupe, highlighting their successes in Poland and Rumania, followed by a career based in the United States, marked by frequent international performances in Europe, Latin America, Israel, and South Africa. The narrative is enriched with over 100 illustrations from the Joseph Buloff Yiddish Theatre Archive at Harvard College Library. These include rare photographs of the Buloffs in various roles during tours in Poland and Rumania in the 1920s and 1930s, performances in Latin America in the 1930s and 1940s, and their work in Israel and the U.S. throughout the decades. Facsimiles of theatre programs, posters, and correspondence complement the photographs, providing an illustrated commentary on their story. This biography serves as the background to Joseph Buloff's fictional autobiography, "From the Old Marketplace."