Joseph Slovak by Mercedes de Acosta
Join us for an On Her Shoulders reading
of Joseph Slovak
A small New England town finds itself beholden to a Jewish man. A young woman must make a painful decision. Which wins? Love or Hate?
JOSEPH SLOVAK by Mercedes de Acosta
Director Sivan Raz; Dramaturg Melody Brooks
Tuesday, May 20, 2025 @ 7:00pm
New perspectives studio (W. 37th street between 9th and 10th)
About the playwright
Mercedes de Acosta (March 1, 1893 – May 9, 1968) was an American poet, playwright, and novelist, best known for her many lesbian affairs with celebrated Broadway and Hollywood personalities, most famously Greta Garbo. She did not attempt to hide her sexuality; her uncloseted existence was rare and daring in her generation.
Born in New York City to a prominent family of Cuban and Spanish descent, her early years were typical of the fashionable elite. By the time she was 30 de Acosta had established herself as an author on the move. She had published three volumes of well-received poetry, a novel and a one-act play. Almost a dozen plays would follow, though only of four of them were produced. Her most successful production, Jacob Slovak was written in 1923 and after several revisions was produced Off-Broadway in 1927. Within 10 days it had moved to Broadway and eventually to London, receiving excellent reviews in both cities.
But this early promise went unfulfilled. De Acosta herself accused critics of a bias against anyone with background and wealth; others attributed it to the fact that the men who ran the theatres "did not want to work with a strong woman who loved women." She moved to Hollywood in 1931 where she was also unsuccessful as a screenwriter. For the next 30 years she would be involved in numerous love affairs but remained on the fringe of the creative world. In 1960, in need of money and suffering from a brain tumor, she wrote her autobiography Here Lies the Heart. It was well-received by critics and friends, but some of her past lovers were furious, even though she was not explicit about the nature of these relationships. Garbo never spoke to her again. She died in poverty at the age of 76 and is buried in Washington Heights.
Cast and crew
Sivan Raz (Director) is a magnetic actor, singer and award winning director. A nuanced performer, their credits range from Off-Broadway (Theater Row, Playhouse 46) to international festivals (CCTA, NYC Fringe), with shows like Anti-Gone (Antigone), Two Noble Kinsmen (Dance Captain) and The Words Will Come (Sheila). As a director, they create unique sensory experiences with works such as Anti-Gone, Cyrano De Bergerac, The Wild Party (Lippa), God Of Carnage and podcasts like Shelterwood and SDITE. They are the founding Artistic Director of Needs More Work Productions, a spicy, bold and colorful theater company for a better tomorrow. Sivan has recently spoken at the 10th annual BroadwayCon. sivanraz.com