The Sages of Chelm

Jun 19, 2022 - Jun 26, 2022 | Sylvan Adams Theatre

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A Dora Wasserman Yiddish Theatre Production

By Abraham Shulman
Music by Eli Rubinstein
Directed and Choreographed by Trevor Barrette
Musical Direction by Nick Burgess

One of the DWYT’s most beloved musicals!
It is said that when Earth was created and the time came to fill it with people, an angel was chosen to deposit wise and foolish souls evenly over the land. But after getting caught on a mountaintop, the sack of foolish souls spilled out into the town of Chelm. This heart-warming, humourous, and musically rich production showcases the wisdom found in simplicity and is a loving tribute to Eastern European Jewish folklore.
 

LISA'S NOTE    

Welcome back to the joy and legacy that is our Dora Wasserman Yiddish Theatre. The return to the stage with this reimagined classic has been a labour of love for all involved, and we thank the entire company that has waited patiently for over two years to bring it to fruition. Most of all, we thank you, the audience, for waiting so patiently to come back. 

We see the power of theatre in how classic works remain relevant, through the questions we ask when we choose to revisit certain plays. This beloved story is deeply rooted both in Jewish folklore and in DWYT history. Under Trevor's direction, it continues its journey through iterations to find a new audience that will delight in this fresh take. Chelm has always been a magical place--that the DWYT is captivating the next generation with this show is something that we hope makes Dora proud. 

The Dora Wasserman Yiddish Theatre, 60+ years young, is entirely unique in the world.  Cherish it, nurture it, and celebrate with us as it lights up the stage once again.




DWYT'S NOTE

"Nokh vos darf a yidishe tokhter frishe luft?  Why does a Jewish girl need fresh air?"

This line from Chelm is one of the most quoted from the DWYT canon - we almost put it on a t-shirt!

After more than two years of separation and seclusion, the fresh air of togetherness and live theatre requires no explanation. We are so very glad that the good wind has brought you to Chelm, and that it brought along Trevor to us as well. From the bottom of our Chelmer hartsn, we thank you, Trevor, and Nick, the entire cast and crew, and everyone at the Segal Centre for helping us breathe fresh air into the Dora Wasserman Yiddish Theatre.

So, welcome and enjoy your stay in Chelm - you may never want to leave because Yiddish theatre is back!

On behalf of the entire Yiddisher grupe,
Jodi Lackman & Jesse Krolik
Co-Presidents of the Dora Wasserman Yiddish Theatre



DIRECTOR'S NOTE

When I was first handed the script for The Sages of Chelm, I made the mistake of reading it on the bus. I don’t know what I was expecting, but I certainly wasn’t expecting to be laughing out loud! The show had already made a fool of me and so I did the next most foolish thing: I decided to direct it. And choreograph it. And stage manage it. (Well, that last one just kind of happened.)

I’ve been living in the vibrant and dynamic town of Chelm for the past five months now and, while it has been a joyous escape from our modern world, I continue to be surprised by how the questions of the musical are so relevant today. 

How do we protect our community and traditions in the face of progress?

How do we welcome the outsider?

How do we bend without breaking?

I want to thank the DWYT family for graciously welcoming me into their community and for supporting me as I bring my wacky vision to one of their most beloved pieces.

I hope you enjoy your stay in Chelm as much as I’ve enjoyed mine!

 

Trevor Barrette
Director and Choreographer
(and Stage Manager)




CAST

Menakhem - Jake Cohen

Zisel, the Baker - Natalie Demmon

Blima - Kinneret Finegold

Shoshe Dobe - Rachel Kohl Finegold

Hirsh, the Hunter - Bram Lackman-Mincoff

Yente Peshe - Jodi Lackman

Reb Mendl - Bruce Lambie

The Litvak / Zelig, the Town Beggar - Stephen Maclean Rogers

Shoshane - Jeanne Motulsky

Shmerl - David Peterman

Raizel, the Florist - Daisy Dalit Sigal

Shakhne Getsl - Sam Stein

Reb Yoysef Loksh - Stan Unger

Berl - Theodore Vlachos


CREATIVE TEAM

Director & Choreographer - Trevor Barrette

Musical Director - Nick Burgess

Set Designer - Elisabeth de Medeiros

Costume Designer - Sabrina Miller

Lighting Designer - Tim Rodrigues

Stage Manager - Trevor Barrette

Assistant Stage Manager - Orlando Lopez

Assistant Director & Assistant Stage Manager - Huirui Zhang

Assistant Choreographer - Patrick Park

Assistant to the Director - Debora Friedmann

Yiddish Language Diction Coaches - Rivka Augenfeld, Raizel Candib, Stephanie Finkelstein, Aron Gonshor, Bronna Levy, and Sam Stein

Intimacy Coach - Meagan Schroeder

Associate Producer - Paul Brian Imperial

Technical Director - François Lemieux

Head Tech, Theatre & Head of Lighting - Chris Wardell

Heads of Sound - Evan Brown, Vincent Bourgon and Sylvin Sévingy

Head Carpenter - Stephen Schön

Head Scenic Painter - William Patrick

Head of Props - Fruzsina Lanyi

Head of Wardrobe - Louise Bourret

Head Dresser - Karine Brisson-Bouchard

Dresser - Courtney Moses Orbin

Supertitles (English Translation) - Edit Kuper and David Flicker

Supertitles (French Translation) - Brenda Kimpan and Julie Bourbeau

Supertitles (Transcription) - Sam Melnick

Supertitle operator - Zoe Schipper


BAND

Band Leader / Keyboard - Nick Burgess

Violin - Vanessa Marcoux

Bass - Mike De Masi

Drums - Parker Bert

SPECIAL THANKS TO

The volunteers of the Dora Wasserman Yiddish Theatre Archives, Asya Vaisman Schulman and Sebastian Schulman



CAST


Jake Cohen

Jake Cohen

Menakhem


Natalie Demmon

Natalie Demmon

Zisel, the Baker


Kinneret Finegold

Kinneret Finegold

Blima


Rachel Kohl Finegold

Rachel Kohl Finegold

Shoshe Dobe


Bram Lackman-Mincoff

Bram Lackman-Mincoff

Hirsh, the Hunter


Jodi Lackman

Jodi Lackman

Yente Peshe


Bruce Lambie

Bruce Lambie

Reb Mendl


Stephen Maclean Rogers

Stephen Maclean Rogers

The Litvak / Zelig, the Town Beggar


Jeanne Motulsky

Jeanne Motulsky

Shoshane


David Peterman

David Peterman

Shmerl


Daisy Dalit Sigal

Daisy Dalit Sigal

Raizel, the Florist


Sam Stein

Sam Stein

Shakhne Getsl


Stan Unger

Stan Unger

Reb Yoysef Loksh


Theodore Vlachos

Theodore Vlachos

Berl


CREATIVE TEAM


Trevor Barrette

Trevor Barrette

Director & Choreographer, Stage Manager


Nick Burgess

Nick Burgess

Musical Director


Elisabeth de Medeiros

Elisabeth de Medeiros

Set Designer


Sabrina Miller

Sabrina Miller

Costume Designer


Tim Rodrigues

Tim Rodrigues

Lighting Designer


Orlando Lopez

Orlando Lopez

Assistant Stage Manager


Huirui Zhang

Huirui Zhang

Assistant Director & Assistant Stage Manager


Patrick Park

Patrick Park

Assistant Choreographer