“The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk” Takes Flight at Northlight Theatre

A blend of music, dance, and dialogue, “The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk” traces the love story of Russian painter Marc Chagall and his wife, Bella through the lens of 20th-century history.

The play so eloquently captures the passion of Russian Jewish tradition in this 80-minute theatrical work, played without intermission at Northlight Theatre. Their love allowed them to transcend the world and rise above it.

While not a musical in the true sense, the performance is filled with songs in Yiddish, Russian, French, and English, by two amazing talents who share the stage with the couple. The music reflects their homeland as well as the countries that gave them refuge.

Partners in life and canvas, Bella is the inspiration for Chagall’s artistic genius as they are forced to navigate pogroms, the Russian Revolution, and World War II with their only child, Ida.
Fortunately for the rest of the world, the Chagall’s were evacuated from Nazi-occupied France and came to live in New York City. After the war ended, they returned to France. Chagall is considered the “quintessential Jewish artist of the twentieth century”.

Written by Daniel Jamieson with music by Ian Ross, the show is under the stage and movement director of Elizabeth Margolius. B.J. Jones serves as Artistic Director with music direction by Michael Mahler and Timothy Evans as Executive Director.

Jack Cahill-Lemme stars as artist Marc Chagall and the audience can sense his longing for his home in Vitebsk, now in present day Belarus. His vocals are beautiful and he wistfully sings of missing his Jewish community.

Emma Rosenthal as Bella has an exquisite voice that captures all the angst of their challenging situations, while feeling thwarted in her own career as a writer. Chagall recognized her abilities and described Bella’s words as a “wash of color over canvas.” Eventually, Bella becomes a published author, a success in her own right.

Rounding out the cast are Elisa Carlson and Michael Mahler who play several instruments on stage throughout the Klezmer-inspired score. They add depth and meaning to the story.

Thanks to an excellent play by James Sherman called “Chagall in School,” I knew about the school Chagall’s created for would-be artists in Vitebsk in 1920.

I’ve always had a fascinating interest in Chagall as my grandfather came from the same village and lived there around the same time,

With klezmer-music, melancholy songs, and inventive staging, Flying Lovers celebrates the inspiring life and love of an extraordinary couple.

My only regret is that Chagall’s art was hardly present in the play, deliberately left out. It would have added a great deal to see his works as floating backdrops that continually changed in color and scope. However, a display of Chagall’s most famous works are displayed outside the theatre.

The show runs through October 6. For information, call 847-673-6300 or visit northlight.org. Northlight Theatre is located at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd. Skokie, Illinois.