They were classmates with dreams beyond the classroom…and it all changed.
After a successful run in New York, Arlekin Players Theatre continued Tadeusz Slobodzianek’s historical drama, Our Class live and in person at Calderwood Pavilion in Boston, Massachusetts for a limited run through Sunday, June 22. Directly sharply by Igor Golyak and based around true events, this experimental and interactive work is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes with one intermission and the action is not limited to the stage. While the production is not graphic and bloody, it depicts violence through a mix of narration and dramatization that is remains raw and heartbreaking. Click here for information.
Spanning from 1926 to 2007, Our Class traces a tumultuous time in history as a group of Polish students, composed of five Jewish and five Catholic students, connect and grow up together through World War II and beyond. While some students end up together, others live to regret ever knowing each other. From the innocence and mischief of childhood including sing-along, playtime, and crushes to turmoil, prejudice and much worse, this group of students make discoveries about each other in collective joy as well as pain and torment in a raw, unflinching, and harrowing account which includes the horrific Jedwabne pogrom massacre in 1941.
Presented in an experimental and documentary-style dramatization of historical events, Our Class delivers some beautiful moments through song, camaraderie and childlike wonder as well as how hate, fanaticism, hypocrisy and corruption set in and how those closest to you can turn on each other. Knowing it is true makes it all the more unsettling and difficult to watch as this account delivers a collection of significant lessons from an enormous and increasingly populated blackboard by chalk drawing designer Andreea Mincic and a steel ladder as part of Jan Pappelbaum’s innovative and unfolding scenic design.
The chalkboard serves multiple purposes as home video, illustration and various forms of cinematography by Projection and Video Designer Eric Dunlap and Igor Golyak who embellish the comic, tense, and heartrending portions of this production. The props and creations developed onstage by these characters veer from heartwarming to harrowing using balloons and various classroom objects to uniquely chronicle the events onstage.
From glaring brightness to starlight to lurking shadows, Jeff Adelberg’s evocative lighting varies from harsh to haunting and moody alongside Ben Williams’ striking sound design.
Wearing numbered T-shirts for a classroom photo, this collaborative cast skillfully takes on dual roles and the same actors cleverly depict their characters growing up through improvisation and vocal dexterity as decades pass. In a particularly humorous ensemble moment which weaves in Or Schraiber’s dynamic choreography, the classmates contemplate whether or not to dance to a playful kazoo-infused medley. It is one of sparingly few pieces of lightheartedness amidst the turmoil.
It is difficult to single out standout performances when this production hinges so much on complex and seamless collaboration. However, it is amazing that Deb Martin as Zocha delivered a dedicated and stellar performance despite her recent real life injury improvising onstage using a wheelchair. Chulpan Khamatova as Rachelka and Kirill Rubtsov as Rysiek give multilayered performances while Richard Topol as charming and idealistic Abram, Zach Fike Hodges who is especially compelling in dual roles including Jakub, and Gigi Watson as Dora are all unforgettable.
The production is lengthy and it feels like it at times, though that can also be expected covering over an 80 year time span. These creative and cautionary lessons are as poignant and significant as they are devastating as these characters face bullying, grief, death, impossible choices and shattered dreams in a world gone mad. It may be too chilling and tense for some, but powerful nonetheless.
Directly sharply by Igor Golyak and based around true events, Arlekin Players Theatre continued Tadeusz Slobodzianek’s historical drama Our Class live and in person at Calderwood Pavilion in Boston, Massachusetts through Sunday, June 22. Click here for more information.