72 | DECEMBER 15 • 2022 

scene) discuss the intervening 
years to much sobbing in the 
audience. Nathan has survived 
Auschwitz and Leonard (a 
Tom Stoppard stand-in) 
has wound up in England, 
taken on a thoroughly British 
identity and been spared the 
worst of the war. 
The older Nathan chastises 
his cousin Leo for not 
remembering the family. He 
finally triggers a memory (it 
was Leo who had cut his hand 
in the Kristallnacht scene). Bits 
and pieces of old memories 
come back to Leo. He becomes 
curious about the family. 
Nathan and older cousin Rosa 
fill him (and us) in on the 
destiny of family members. 
This powerful, riveting 
recapitulation is similar to 

what Stoppard went through 
in learning about the family 
he never knew (all four 
grandparents and many other 
relatives did not survive the 
Holocaust) and powerful theater.
Memory is a constant theme 
in Leopoldstadt. A photograph 
album, a genealogical chart, the 
seder’s admonition, “It is still our 
duty to retell the story of how 
we were brought out of Egypt.
” 
Young Rosa forgets where she 
hid the afikomen. This play 
stimulates all of our memories.
While widely popular, the 
play has led to much discussion 
and criticism. Some say it 
doesn’t break any new ground. 
Some say it is not political 
enough or too political in this 
or that direction. Some say there 
are too many characters coming 

and going. Is the episode of the 
Klimt portrait a contrivance too 
reminiscent of The Portrait of 
Adele Bloch-Bauer (The Woman 
in Gold)? Perhaps. Is the calling 
of a British Mandate Arab a 
Palestinian anachronistic? Sure. 
It has been called “a late career 
masterpiece.
” 
Stoppard says it may be his 
last play. In my view, a good play 
should stimulate discussion, 

and a good Jewish play should 
stimulate more. The box office 
is strong. The story is ours. The 
playwright has finally embraced 
us, and we embrace him back.
Go see it or read it so you can 
join in on the crying, velling and 
kvetching, but also to help you 
remember. 

Dr. Barry Tigay is president and CEO 

of Oakland Psychological Clinic, P.C

PETER MEYERHOFF

The Tigay family at a pre-theater dinner at Sardi’s. From front left, Jenny 
Tigay Meyerhoff, Noah Meyerhoff, Dave Tigay, Julie Bean Tigay, Donnie 
Tigay Stutland, Brian Stutland, Barry Tigay, Elena Hirsch, Sarah Tigay 
Hirsch and Joe Tigay. 

ARTS&LIFE
THEATER REVIEW

continued from page 71

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