DVD The Famous Chelm Players It Happened In Shusah

It Happened in Shushan - the first in a series!

Recently completed, and now available for the whole family, is the video production entitled, It Happened in Shushan, an original musical comedy based on the Purimspiel, starring The Famous Chelm Players.

What is the Purimspiel? A retelling of the ancient, Story of Esther, a woman whose bravery is at the heart of the Jewish holiday called Purim.

Who are The Famous Chelm Players? A group of bumbling amateur actors from the legendary Eastern European town of fools called Chelm. Their mission: to bring the stories of the Jewish holidays and the Scriptures to life.

Chelm has existed in the collective imagination for generations. Even such well respected authors as Sholem Aleichem and Isaac Bashevis Singer wrote stories to bring the people of Chelm to life. But now they really are - in the form of puppets. Led by schoolmaster Farfel Klotz, the troupe includes Minde Tsimmes, the baker's wife; Mendel Nudnik, the tailor; Shmuel Greps, the dairyman; Teresh Gribbenes, the butcher; Shmendrik Krank, the carpenter; and Tseitel Kugele, a young mother.

The story of Esther takes place in the ancient city of Shushan, where its primary resident, King Ahashverus - who is under the influence of an evil advisor named Haman - takes Esther as his wife. When Haman begins a campaign to rid Shushan of its Jewish citizens, Esther risks her life to reveal herself to be one of them. The king's better judgement prevails, and Haman is foiled.