‘Yenta Unplugged!’ Tunes In to a Universal Theme

That Annie Korzen. Has she got tsoris. For one thing, she’s a Jewish actress in an industry where Jewish women are almost always portrayed by perky Gentiles of the blond persuasion. As Korzen tells us, after a multitude of rejections, a casting call finally goes out for an “Annie Korzen type.” Korzen’s a cinch--or so she thinks. But the part goes to--you guessed it, a perky blond. “I am too Jewish to play myself,” Korzen grouses.

There’s little self-pity in “Yenta Unplugged!,” Korzen’s one-woman show at West Coast Ensemble, but there is a fair amount of feminist ire. Featuring Korzen’s original music (Korzen accompanies herself on the piano), the show examines the state of “yenta-ism,” while making some serious points about anti-Semitism and Jewish self-hatred, particularly as they pertain to the Jewish female.

Yiddish for “busybody,” the word “yenta” has obviously negative connotations. However, as Korzen sees it, the yenta is universal. Be they Jewish, Italian, Irish or Thai, yentas are rightfully concerned women who make the world go ‘round.

Now, Korzen is no Tom Lehrer, and she occasionally stretches for the rhymes in her satiric songs. However, “Yenta Unplugged!” is as life-affirming as it is gently entertaining. A real Yiddische charmer, Korzen should only live and be well. So should her show.

* “Yenta Unplugged!,” West Coast Ensemble, 522 N. La Brea, Los Angeles. Saturdays, 3 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m. Ends March 9. $12. (213) 871-0502. Running time: 1 hour, 20 minutes.