THREE SHORT STORIES
by Isaac Bashevis Singer

"Dr. Yaretsky however knew no peace. 'What am I doing? How have I managed to ensnare myself? Why am I getting married?' . . . 'Alas, the brain is a receptacle for nonsense,' Dr. Fischelson thought. 'This earth belongs to the mad.' . . . The rabbi entered the bathhouse. 'Well demons, where are you? At least let there be devils.' " Three Short Stories by Isaac Bashevis Singer was adapted from "The Shadow of a Crib," "The Spinoza of Market Street," and "Joy," three powerful tales by the Nobel Prize winning writer, Isaac Bashevis Singer. The unforgettable characters: an eccentric countess and a cynical doctor; an ailing philosopher and a feisty market woman; a grieving rabbi - are all linked by their passionate struggle for love and faith. As the scene shifts from ballroom to garret to House of Study, as the solo performer transforms herself from roué to bride, it seems that one is following the journey of a world soul, incarnated in different bodies and lives. This eighty minute fully staged performance was first enhanced with an original musical score by Anthony Scafide and is now accompanied by composer pianist Richard Rudin.

"Riveting!" "The best dramatic piece I've seen at the Fringe." Audience responses, Edinburgh Festival "Lovely performance!" Dr. Dessa Ewing, English coordinator, Delaware County Community College "It was impressive to see the doctor and Dobbe jump off a page and onto the stage . . . their wedding night was passionate with sensuality." Colleen Harmer, DCCC student "It made me feel that I was right back in that era with the cobblestones of Market Street." Basil Goyette, DCCC student and security guard "As someone from Germany I was doubly moved, both by the material and the powerful performance." Dr. Henrik Eger, Associate Professor, DCCC "Our residents really enjoyed the program which promoted much good discussion afterwards." Tobe Levy, Activities Programmer, Summers Gate Residence, Jenkintown "Fishman's enthusiasm for Singer's stories of pre-war Eastern Europe is infectious . . . an intelligent and sensitively staged adaptation which carries you with her." Evening News "It is a tribute to Janet Fishman's solo performance that she illuminates why Singer's tales . . . are so powerful. She makes it clear that the Nobel Prize winner's characters are startingly modern in their search for meaning." The Scotsman "The slightly built Philadelphia-born actress skillfully evokes the earthly ardour, gabbling village gossip, and haunting atmosphere that pervades the tales. Her convincing transition from spinster to doctor to rabbi is a tour de force." Jewish Chronicle

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