Previews began on June 20. Molly Picon (1898-1992) was one of the biggest stars of Yiddish Broadway, the name give a theatre-lined stretch of lower Second Avenue during the first half of the 20th century. Petite and impish, she specialized in comedic fare and attracted a wide following. She starred in countless Yiddish plays, as well as "Yiddle With His Fiddle," one of the most famous Yiddish films ever made. As her career progressed, she became known primarily for smothering mother "yente" types. Picon occasionally crossed over into the mainstream culture, notably in Jerry Herman's musical Milk and Honey, and the Hollywood films "Come Blow Your Horn" and "Fiddler on the Roof."

Barbara Minkus is Picon. Minkus was one of the actresses who succeeded Barbra Streisand into Funny Girl on Broadway, later playing the part in the national tour. She also appeared on Broadway in the short-lived The Education of H*Y*M*A*N K*A*P*L*A*N. Stuart Zagnit also stars in Picon Pie.