Taboo

The San Francisco Playhouse production also delves into who can, or should, play Jewish characters in this moment of 'color-conscious' casting.

She plays the prostitute, Manke, and is also coaching the actors in the language, while Bierman functions as dance consultant and helps the modern-day American actors to adopt the physicality of Polish-Jewish intellectuals and bohemians of a century or so ago. For Damilano, it was important to cast actors with the flexibility to change from one character to another, which they do in full view of the audience, during the tiny interludes between scenes. “We hoped the people who’d (audition) would have a connection to the piece, meaning some cultural reference.” She adds, “We wanted people who were passionate about the play. It has every element of the Jewish experience (and) authenticity is paramount.” (In a sensorial and poignant scene, the two women share a kiss.) The cast was eventually arrested and convicted of obscenity. In it, two women — a prostitute and the brothel owner’s daughter — fall in love.