Displaying items by tag: Alyssa Carlson

I am delighted that Northlight Theatre chose to produce The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk, penned by Daniel Jamieson and expertly staged and directed by Elizabeth Margolius, especially given the alarming rise of antisemitism currently sweeping the country.

The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk is a play that tells the love story of the famous artist Marc Chagall and his first wife, Bella Rosenfeld. Set against the backdrop of early 20th-century Vitebsk, the narrative explores their relationship as they navigate significant historical events such as the Pogroms, the Russian Revolution, and the rise of fascism in Europe. Marc Chagall, a Jewish painter born in the small town of Vitebsk, where he met his wife Bella, lived to the age of 94. Such a ripe old age, despite the harrowing events depicted in the play, where he and Bella flee the brutal pogroms in Russia and the Nazi atrocities in Europe, Chagall’s resilience and longevity stand out. The play masterfully intertwines dialogue, dance, and music to narrate the couple’s journey through some of the most turbulent periods of the 20th century, leading up to the Nazi occupation of France while focusing on the couple’s strong relationship and strength. 

Jack Cahill-Lemme portrays Marc Chagall with a focused optimism and an unwavering devotion to his Jewish bride, Bella, capturing the essence of love at first sight from their very first encounter. As Cahill-Lemme trails Bella across the stage, his unwavering pursuit of her love is evident. His character’s elegant movements and captivating smile reveal that his attention is entirely devoted to her. Cahill-Lemme’s gaze envelops Bella, reflecting his profound love, devotion, and undeniable attraction. Interestingly, during their first encounter, he asked her to pose nude for him, a common practice among painters of that era. Jack Cahill-Lemme is a rising star who was most recently seen on Broadway in the National Tour of Moulin Rouge alongside Boy George and has taken on roles at Marriott Theatre and Paramount Theatre among many other Chicagoland theatres.

Emma Rosenthal portrays Bella, the love of Chagall’s life, with perfection. Her character is a fiery, headstrong, and intelligent Jewish woman deeply in love and devoted to her lover, husband, and child. Rosenthal’s performance radiates with the spirited energy of a Jewish woman who has found her true love and destiny, especially evident in their numerous dance numbers and songs together. Rosenthal has also made her mark in the theatre world, appearing at Drury Lane Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre and Writers Theatre. 

It was fascinating to see that instead of using the stained glass painting of the flying lovers as a backdrop, the simple yet modern set allowed each dance number between the two lovers to evoke the painting’s uplifting joy and the lifelong physical attraction that inspired some of the most famous paintings of all time.

The live music for the show, performed by Musical Director Michael Mahler and Alyssa Carlson, featured a mix of new and old instruments, including the piano. Their performances added depth to the many wonderful song and dance numbers, which were delivered in various languages, including Yiddish, Russian, French, and English, creating a powerful emotional impact.

Marc Chagall was ahead of his time in many ways and faced rejection in his homeland despite his worldwide acclaim as a pioneer of the art movement now known as Impressionism.

Under the guidance of Artistic Director BJ Jones, The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk captivates audiences with its compelling narrative that holds their attention from start to finish. 

I highly recommend this beautiful, moving, and joyful 80-minute one-act production for audiences of all ages. It offers a wonderful opportunity to learn about Jewish history and the arts in a setting that celebrates the relationship between artist and muse.

The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk is being performed at Northlight Theatre in Skokie through October 6th. For tickets and/or more show information, click HERE.