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“The Wisest of Fools”

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Ladutke, Rachel Rubin (American playwright, librettist, director, 1967-____), “The Wisest of Fools,”

a 10-minute comedy in English, set in the Rabbi's study, Chelm, a town in Poland populated by fools, Eighteenth Century,

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• © 2001 by Rachel Rubin Ladutke; • script/rights available from Rachel Rubin Ladutke, 30-27 41st Street, #2R, Astoria, New York 11103-3423, U.S.A., e-mail rachel@rachelwrites.com, www.rachelwrites.com, telephone (home) 718-721-6083, (work) 212-875-7785, fax 718-721-7709. • Cited by Rachel Rubin Ladutke, via ftp February 27, 2002; Ladutke says,

§ Dramatis Persona Nachum (m), 35, the Rabbi of Chelm; Herschel (m), 25, the Rabbi's student; Moishe (m), 55, the Chief Sage of Chelm; Rivka (f), 31, the Rabbi's wife.

§ Synopsis “It's another hectic and confusing day in Chelm, the town of
fools. Rabbi Nachum is beset by his student, who worries about his
expectant wife; the Chief Sage, who wants more respect; and Nachum's
own wife, who helps him solve problems but asks a great deal in return!
The cobbler's shop is burning down; the school isn't being built; and the
townspeople want to capture the moon in a barrel. What's a poor Rabbi to
do?

§ Comment “This fast-moving, comic tidbit is taken from beloved Jewish legends about a town of well-meaning, civic-minded fools. It's a fun little romp for all! • First performed in NYC in a workshop. Never professionally produced.”

§ Themes 1700s, Chelm, ethnic, folk tale, fool, Jewishness, marriage, Poland, pragmatism, pregnancy, respect, teacher-student relationship, village.

See also Rachel Rubin Ladutke’s