Rudolph Marks (circa 1867–1930; born in Odessa,[1] Russian Empire, as Max Radkisson and A.K.A. Rudolph Marks Rodkinson)[1] was a playwright, songwriter, and comedian. He rivaled Sigmund Mogulesko in Yiddish Theater in New York City in the 1890s, but had a less enduring career.
Biography
editMarks arrived in New York aged 19,[1] having spent four years in England after leaving Russia.[1] In New York, he appeared with the Thalia Theatre[2] and the United Hebrew Opera Company.[3] By 1893, he was described as a "well known and clever comedian",[3] and was one of two contenders for the title of "most popular young actor" in a contest run by a New York newspaper.[2] He wrote several plays in Yiddish, including The Bowery Tramp,[4] "the great comedy success" Chaim in America,[5] and The Shop Girl.[6] By 1893, Marks had begun studying law at University of the city of New York,[2] and was admitted to the bar in 1898.[1] For some years, reports of court cases he appeared in described him as "better known as a writer of Yiddish plays and as an actor of Shakepearean parts in the Bowery theaters than as a lawyer".[7] He died in Manhattan on 6 May 1930.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f "Rudolph Rodkinson, Lawyer, Dies at 63". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. 7 May 1930. p. 12. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
- ^ a b c "Picture and Name His Own". The World. New York, New York. 30 December 1893. p. 9. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
- ^ a b "Hot Weather Entertainments - The Standard". The Philadelphia Inquirer. 11 June 1893. p. 11. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
- ^ "Effort Toward Yiddish Theater". The Chicago Tribune. 21 March 1901. p. 7. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
- ^ "In the Theatres - Park Theatre". The Bridgeport Times and Evening Farmer. Bridgeport, Connecticut. 2 March 1911. p. 5. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
- ^ "Prager Operetta Company To-night". The Courier-Journal. Louisville, Kentucky. 25 January 1912. p. 6. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
- ^ "Value of Mrs. Eisenhofer". The Sun. New York, New York. 27 July 1903. p. 14. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
- Adler, Jacob, A Life on the Stage: A Memoir, translated and with commentary by Lulla Rosenfeld, Knopf, New York, 1999, ISBN 0-679-41351-0. 261.
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