Kazablan

Kazablan (Casablan or Kasablan in its first production; Hebrew: קזבלן) is an early Israeli Hebrew language play, staged first as a 1954 drama followed by a 1964 screen adaptation, later as a 1966 musical comedy, and still later produced as a 1973 musical comedy film. The name Kazablan comes from Casablanca, the birthplace of the main character.

The musical's huge success made "young Jerusalem-born singer" Yehoram Gaon "not only ... an overnight singing star, but also a figure of solidarity and pride for people of Sephardic origin, many of whom were entering a theatre for the first time." Gaon later reprised his role in the film version.

Plot

The story has been called an Israeli adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, and the musical "an Israeli version of West Side Story. The plot involves a man and woman who fall in love across different cultures: here, Kazablan is a Mizrahi Jew from Morocco (hence his nickname) in love with Rachel, an Ashkenazic Jew from Europe. "While the two protagonists share religion, their contrasting cultures and ethnicities fuel community scandal and a bitter family feud."

1954 play: drama

In 1954, the play Casablan, by playwright Yigal Mossinson (sometimes spelled "Igal Mossinsohn") was performed on stage by the Cameri Theater. "The melodramatic piece was highly successful when first presented, since it gave voice to the feelings of discrimination acquired during the first years of statehood by Moroccans and other new immigrants, many of whom were residents of the temporary camps called ma'abarot." Mossinsohn was awarded the David's Harp Prize for the play.

The play was written as a "detective play," focusing on the accusation that Kazablan was guilty of an attempted murder by stabbing. It is eventually revealed that the actual stabber was an Ashkenazic Jew, but audience members realize how easy it was to assume that Kazablan was guilty, revealing their deep-seated prejudices.