In the early 1920’s Picon’s career took off. At 4’11",
weighing less than 100 pounds, she created a unique presence
on the Yiddish stage. Playing parts written for her by her
husband, Picon was cast almost exclusively as young girls who
either dressed or behaved like insouciant young boys. Audiences
loved the transgressive behavior that became signature Molly
Picon. Between 1921 and 1925, she created some of her most
famous stage roles in plays such as Yonkele (Little Yonkel),
Tzipke, Shmendrik (Loser), Gypsy Girl,
Molly Dolly, Little Devil,
Mamale (Mommy), Raizele, Oy is Dus A Madel
(What a Girl), and
The Circus Girl. Picon would return to many of these roles later
in her career. Often exaggerating that she played Yonkele—the story
of a little boy who desperately wants to make this world a better
place—“more than three thousand
times.” Picon identified strongly
with many of the roles she played on stage.
|
source
| full image
source | full image
source | full image
|
