In the Press

For Immediate Release
November 2003

“Say Oy Vey” – and Smile!

We all know Romeo and Juliet, the star-crossed lovers. But when the star is a Magen David (Star of David), and the setting is a synagogue bridge club for senior citizens, laughter drowns out the geshreying.

That is the premise of a fully orchestrated parody CD, based on the music of “Cabaret.” It is the newest creation of noted television and film director Michael Lange and his Silly Music Corporation, who were responsible (some might say, to blame) for last year’s hysterical parody, “Goys and Dolls.”

Lange is perhaps best known for his work on the small screen, directing award-winning episodes of “Northern Exposure” and “Life Goes On,” and currently busy directing episodes of “The O.C.” and “Mismatch.” This ongoing project lets Lange indulge his lifelong love of song parodies, bringing together longtime friends, who also happen to be talented musicians and artists.

“ Say Oy Vey” relates the touching story of the six-pointed star-crossed lovers Samuel Baum and Mae Feinberg, who find romance at the bridge table – to the horror and consternation of their grown children, who oppose the match.

But, unlike the version by William Shakespeare (a fine playwright yes, but no yiddishe kop), this story has a happy ending – the seniors show the youngsters a thing or two about creating and maintaining a healthy relationship

In “Say Oy Vey,” the menacing MC of Cabaret is transformed into a genial “badchen” (the traditional “Emcee” for Jewish weddings in the old country, which in America morphed into the Catskills social director), who proclaims: “Welcome to Beth Emet’s Bridge Night!” (to the tune of “Wilkommen”). Sam and Mae figure out such basics of a relationship as where to have dinner (to “The Pineapple Song”) and introducing their children to each other (“Two Ladies” becomes “Two Families”).

All ends well, to the tune of “Come to the Cabaret”–

“ We can’t help feeling a swelling of pride, to live as Jews today

This is the Jewish way, my friends, that’s why we say oy vey!”

The CD is available for individual and wholesale purchase through the production's web site, www.sillymusic.com, which also features MP3 samples of the music, an abbreviated Yiddish dictionary featuring words used in the lyrics, and a plot summary, as well as a "joke of the week." Special arrangements can be made to use the CD as a fundraiser.

“ I am hoping that every bubbe and zayde in America who lives for the early bird special, and all their children who find themselves eating dinner with their folks at four in the afternoon, will receive a copy of this CD for Chanukah,” Lange proclaimed.

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