JEWISH SHORT STORIES FROM EASTERN EUROPE AND BEYOND

Should we call this beginner's luck? The National Yiddish Book Center presents its first venture in audio publishing, a dazzling and innovative production of short stories. The 31 stories reflect careful and creative selection. The readings by 26 actors, a panoply of talent with billboard names--Bacall, Goldlblum, Wallach, Alda and Matthau are varied and rich with fine casting to their stories. Director Joan Micklin Silver leads this diverse group to brilliant results. Not the least of which is Leonard Nimoy's narration, which threads throughout the production. He introduces each story with its historical or cultural context and concludes each with the source of a print version. This innovation of hosting an anthology is just what's missing in most collections, which are alternately dry or chaotic as one story follows another. This collection should not be missed by any listener who loves stories of rich heritage and fine narration. R.F.W. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB 96]