By Jessica Davis, JTNews Correspondent
Government censorship threatens a Jewish theater troupe’s new show in the Washington State premiere of Ernest Joselovitz’s play-within-a-play, Vilna’s Got a Golem at West Seattle’s ArtsWest from Jan. 20-Feb. 7.
Upon presenting their new Yiddish play in the Lithuanian town of Vilna in 1899, the Moguleskos are forced to perform opening night before a censor. Their controversial show about the creation of a Golem, a mythical monster designed to kill on order, is set in the same town in 1540, when the Jewish population was being decimated by Cossack pogroms. The Moguleskos, like the characters they play, have also suffered from persecution—especially Zavel, the play’s author, whose wife and unborn child were slaughtered by a Christian mob. The Golem is made in revenge to kill those who have done the persecuting.
“Like the Golem itself, [the play] has a life of its own,” said director Walter Baker.
Joselovitz’s award-winning play takes on European history, Jewish folklore, racism, cultural identity, politics, religion and morality. It was first produced in 1996 in Philadelphia, and later on by the American Jewish Theatre in New York.
Vilna’s Got a Golem had a lasting impression on ArtsWest’s Artistic Theater Director Christopher Zinovitch who saw it several years ago in Ashland, Ore. Last year, he introduced the script to Baker.
“I loved it mostly because it provides a challenge to the actors,” said Baker. “It’s not the normal piece.”
Many of the actors shift from character to character and accent to accent as they switch back and forth, giving a realistic acting style to the more broad and traditional acting style of the Yiddish theater. Also keeping in the style of the Yiddish theater, musician Pat Spaeth plays accordion and percussion to accompany the show, even as the cast of nine creates many of its own sound effects. There is also the challenge of portraying comedy with a serious undercurrent and a representation of horror, said Baker.
“The cast goes home with their brains still motoring,” said Zinovitch, who is cast as the revolutionary Zavel in the ArtsWest production. “This is definitely a workout.”
Zinovitch returns to the stage for the first time in two years for this production. He joins a dedicated cast that travels from as far away as Whidbey Island and Lynnwood to perform.
“This whole company is quite strong,” said Baker. “They’re all really good actors.”
Zinovitch admits that producing this play is a risk, but feels the stories in it need to be told and that ArtsWest audiences are ready for it.
“Artistically and spiritually I think it’s the right move,” said Zinovitch. “We’re excited about doing this show very much.”
Just as in Vilna’s Got a Golem, on opening night, “You never know how an audience is going to respond,” said Baker.
The play asks the audience questions that are still relevant in the world today.
“It’s caused me to reexamine all of these places that are experiencing turmoil,” said
Zinovitch. “It’s a piece that’s very engaging.”
Due to subject matter, graphic descriptions of violence and religious overtones, ArtsWest recommends this production to audience members ages 13 and older. Vilna’s Got a Golem runs from Jan. 20–Feb. 7 at ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave. SW, West Seattle. There will be a special student matinee at 10 a.m. on Jan. 27.Tickets are $10–24 and are available via phone at 206-938-0339 and online at www.artswest.com. Group discounts are also available.