WUKY To Broadcast 'The Witches of Lublin'

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 30, 2012) ― WUKY, 91.3 FM, will air the audio drama “The Witches of Lublin” at 8 p.m. Monday, April 2. A story of faith, tragedy and redemption, the 60-minute program is hosted by one of the co-authors, Ellen Kushner and stars Tovah Feldshuh, with Simon Jones, Barbara Rosenblat, Neil Gaiman and a host of Broadway and Audiobook luminaries.

"The Witches of Lublin" is based on true and little known history of klezmer musicians in 18th century Eastern Europe. Klezmer, a musical genre of the Ashkenazic Jews of Eastern Europe, consisted largely of dance tunes and instrumental display pieces for weddings and other celebration. Co-writer Yale Strom's research uncovered the facts that there were Jewish women klezmer musicians, and that when they would play for gentile nobility, their reward could sometimes be beatings, kidnappings, or even death.

This history formed the springboard for this work of fiction by Strom, Elizabeth Schwartz and Ellen Kushner based on Jewish women's lives in 18th Century Europe, klezmer music and feminist history, with a healthy dose of magical realism thrown in.

"The Witches of Lublin" features haunting and lively original klezmer music by Strom.  The program has won several awards including, most recently, a Wilbur Award for Radio - single program recognizing excellence in communicating religious issues, values, and themes in the public media.

For more information on “The Witches of Lublin” go to http://www.thewitchesoflublin.com/story.html.

WUKY 91.3FM enlightens, inspires, and entertains its audience through the creation and presentation of the highest quality non-commercial radio programming. Through comprehensive, unbiased news coverage, unique musical offerings, and community partnerships, WUKY fosters civic development, celebrates cultural diversity, and advances the mission of the University of Kentucky.