Name: THE LAST YIDDISH SPEAKER
Start: 2025-09-13T20:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-09-13T21:30:00-05:00
Location: Evelyn Rubenstein JCC

Mildred’s Umbrella Theater and the Evelyn Rubenstein JCC Announce the Second of Two Co-productions
HOUSTON – Mildred’s Umbrella Theater Company, in collaboration with the Evelyn Rubenstein JCC, 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 J).

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 patrons. 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 J from September 4-21, 2025.
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: September 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 at www.mildredsumbrella.com
CONTACT: Press: [email protected] / Ticket Info: [email protected]
Directed by Rhett Martinez, and featuring Olivia Knight, Deborah Hope, Austin Brady, Jason Duga. Design by Edgar Guajardo and Samantha Hyman. Assistant Director: Calvin Hudson. Stage Manager: Jessica Cooper.
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.
The Evelyn Rubenstein JCC’s Arts & Ideas Season is supported by the Evelyn Rubenstein JCC Patron of the Arts, The Maurice Amado Foundation and a grant from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance.