Someone is laughing. 

Its cadence echoes into a peerless and infectious glee that troubled Khonen, depicted by Andrey Berkovskiy, finds irresistible.  It does not take long to see that Khonen will go to the ends of the earth and beyond seeking that voice chiming in its ethereal splendor.

Unique, haunting, funny, charming, spiritual, and exceptionally creative, The Dybbuk: Between two worlds remains a mesmerizing must-see theatrical experience.

I never use the term ‘must see’ lightly, but it nonetheless fits this particular production in all of its unexpected and immersive twists and turns set exclusively inside a Jewish synagogue.  Brimming with unconventional creativity and cultural tradition, The Dybbuk is a spectacular journey and a dark tale steeped in meticulously timed and atmospheric special effects as it unveils a thrilling and enchanting piece of ancient Jewish folklore.

Imaginatively directed by Igor Golyak, written by Roy Chen, and based on the original play by S. Ansky, Arlekin Players continues the Elliot Norton Award-winning The Dybbuk: Between two Worlds live and in person at The Vilna Shul, Boston’s Center for Jewish Culture in Boston, Massachusetts through Sunday, November 16.  This semi-interactive and well timed theatrical experience is not limited to the stage and runs 1 hour and 50 minutes with no intermission.  Click here for more information and for tickets. 

The Dybbuk:  Between two worlds tackles love, marriage, faith, life, death, grief and the in between as well as the significance of a synagogue that still stands after all the turmoil it has endured.  As the play observes describing a synagogue, ‘The walls are damp with tears.’  A synagogue can be the center of sorrow or great joy and community, but above all, it is a sanctuary of hope when all seems lost.

What makes this production so exciting, beautiful and so downright impressive is this complex and powerful classic tale is wrapped in a riveting experience. The Dybbuk is a grand and exhilarating journey, but it also depicts sweet moments of simplicity from Andrey Berkovskiy as restless Khonen and Yana Gladkikh as innocent Leah with finesse.  Both characters shine in their perspective roles but Berkovskiy’s wondrous curiosity, playfulness, mischievousness, passion and anguish boast a spellbinding charisma.  While his good intentions radiate in the smallest of gestures, Berkovskiy’s wide eyed wonder of this world and his boldness are often at odds as he agonizes over his fate.   In long braids and ribbons, Gladkikh as sweet Leah demonstrates a beautiful vulnerability and conflict in her delicate and porcelain like features infused with a soothing and melodious voice that she also uses to sing.  Gladkikh’s Leah is delightful, innocent, romantic, and naïve sharing with Berkovskiy a captivating, giddy, and endearing playfulness in a situation that is eternally complicated.

This enthusiastic cast blends intensity and humor and although this is an ancient tale, Golyak strings together elements of the traditional and the contemporary. Wearing a string of pearls and a black dress, Deb Martin commands the stage as Leah’s grandmother with a rigid frame yet bold and heightened awareness.  Shrewd and protective with a dry sense of humor, Martin as Frade is not to be underestimated while Robert Walsh brings broad cynicism and dark humor to stubborn Sender.

The Dybbuk’s immersive and unpredictable setting is fueled by ingenious creativity in Jeff Adelberg’s luminous lighting design in shadows and glowing stars seamlessly paired with Fedor Zhuravlev’s robust and occasionally manually created sound that animates this dark, mystical and ancient world filled with rustic crystal chandeliers and scaffolding that sit beneath a vast skylight by scenic designer Igor Golyak with Sasha Kuznetsova.  The Dybbuk’s emotive light and sound deliver an ominous quality, humor, and awe-inspiring surprise nothing less than magical.  The transformation of a simple piece of plastic is just a sample of the inventive flair that helps to piece together this often poetic tale.

Imaginatively directed by Igor Golyak, written by Roy Chen, and based on the original play by S. Ansky, Arlekin Players continues The Dybbuk: Between two worlds live and in person at The Vilna Shul, Boston’s Center for Jewish Culture in Boston, Massachusetts through Sunday, November 16.  Click here for more information and for tickets.