Schlamme, Martha (1922–1985)
Schlamme, Martha (1922–1985)
Austrian-born singer and actress. Born Martha Haftel, Sept 25, 1922, in Vienna, Austria; died Oct 6, 1985, in Jamestown, NY; dau. of Meier and Gisa Braten Haftel (Orthodox Jews); m. Hans Schlamme, c. 1948 (annulled 1960s); m. Mark Lane (Democratic politician).
A major force in the revival of Jewish-Yiddish music (1950s), fled to England with family to escape the Nazis (1938); studied piano and voice in London; came to US (1948); sang at Town Hall and Village Gate; as an actress-singer, made off-Broadway debut in The World of Kurt Weill (1963), followed by A Month of Sundays, Mata Hari, Beethoven and Karl, Aspirations, Twilight Cantata, and Mrs. Warren's Profession; on Broadway, appeared in Fiddler on the Roof, Threepenny Opera, Solitaire/Double Solitaire and A Kurt Weill Cabaret; made 15 albums.