The Melting Pot

"There she lies, the great Melting Pot-listen! Can't you hear the roaring and the bubbling? There gapes her mouth...come from the ends of the world to pour in their human freight..."

-Israel Zangwill, The Melting Pot (1908)



The Melting Pot (1908) is an updated Romeo and Juliet, however, in this version, the families are of Russian descent and the divide is between the Cossacks and Jews in the early 20th century. In the fictional story, Zangwill made his claim that immigrants to America would leave behind the hatred in Europe in this new melting pot. The play debuted in Washington, D.C., for sitting president Theodore Roosevelt, who raved about the production. Later considered one of the most successful productions on Broadway, this is a must-read for those interested in early 20th century immigration and theater.