Paula Vogel's 'Indecent:' anti-Semitism, immigration, and 'God of Vengeance'

"God of Vengeance," written in 1907 by a Polish playwright, is about a brothel owner whose daughter falls in love with one of his prostitutes. The plot is scandalous, even by today’s standards. "God of Vengeance" was produced to great acclaim in many cities, including New York, where it was successful in the downtown Yiddish theater scene. But when it moved uptown in 1923, where it was performed in English, it was shut down and the cast was arrested on obscenity charges. A kiss between two women on-stage was just too much.

Playwright Paula Vogel has reimagined that play and the events surrounding it in her new play, "Indecent." It's running now through July 7 at the Ahmanson in downtown LA.