Mildred’s Umbrella Theater Company opens their 2025-2026 season with the Houston premiere of THE LAST YIDDISH SPEAKER, by Deborah Zoe Laufer. This production is the second of two co-productions with the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center of Houston.
The collaboration between Mildred’s Umbrella and the Evelyn Rubenstein JCC began in 2019 when they co-produced a reading series, and evolved as Mildred’s Artistic Director, Jennifer Decker was hired by the JCC to direct Anna Zeigler’s PHOTOGRAPH 51 in 2023, and GHETTO in 2024. Mildred’s Umbrella’s mission is to produce plays by women, and as a nomadic theatre company without a permanent space, we are always looking for collaborative opportunities. The friendship between our organizations has made this collaboration a natural fit.
The Last Yiddish Speaker. By Deborah Zoe Laufer is the winner of the 2024 Jewish Play Project, a National contest that identifies, develops, and presents new works of theater through one-of a kind explorations of contemporary Jewish identity between audiences, artists, and patron. The play received a rolling premiere in April 2024 at Interact Theatre Company, Philadelphia.
The play will be directed by Rhett Martinez, and will run at the Evelyn Rubenstein JCC September 4-14, 2025
Starring: Deborah Hope, Jason Duga, Olivia Knight and Austin Brady.
Plot Summary: Sarah is struggling to survive her senior year of high school - new town, new school, new boyfriend. She's also struggling to survive the new America, where the insurrection was successful and everything has changed. When an ancient Yiddish-speaking woman is deposited on their doorstep, Sarah and her father must decide whether to help the woman hide or to save themselves.
WHAT: THE LAST YIDDISH SPEAKER by Deborah Zoe Laufer
WHEN: Sept 4-21, 2025. (Thursdays and Saturday evenings/ Sunday Matinee)
WHERE: Evelyn Rubenstein JCC, Joe Frank Theatre, 5601 S Braeswood Blvd, Houston, TX 77096
COST: $18-$29, and they can be purchased through www.mildredsumbrella.com
CONTACT: Press: jennifer@mildredsumbrella.com / Ticket Info: gcohen@erjcchouston.org
Mildred’s Umbrella’s 2024-2025 Season has support from The Rita Mallett Blasser Foundation, The Houston Arts Alliance, The National Endowment for the Arts and The Texas Commission on the Arts.