ACTORS in the Lewis and Clark College production of “Vilna’s Got a Golem” are, standing, from left to right, Erica Liebert, Austin Moore, Nate Cohen, Diana Fox, Sander Gusinow, Tessa Siegal, Rob McKenzie and Matthew Tratos. Seated from left are Amy Wolfberg and Marissa Fenley.

Lewis & Clark College presents ‘Vilna’s Got a Golem’

By DEBORAH MOON

article created on: 2010-02-25T00:00:00

When the Theater Department at Lewis and Clark College presents “Vilna’s Got a Golem” during the first two weeks of March, audiences will experience a comedy rich in Jewish culture that at the same time takes a solemn look at “how we balance the need for security with the need to maintain our humanity.”

“It’s not just light-hearted,” said L&C Theater Prof. Stephanie Arnold, who is directing the play. “Expect it to be provocative.”

Written in 1997 by Ernest Joselovitz, the play “deals with the same themes, styles and traditions of Yiddish theater, but in a more contemporary manner,” according to Arnold.

She said the play focuses on Jewish culture and the Jewish mythology of the golem, but that it deals with universal themes such as proliferation of violence in recent years and “what happens to our humanity when we become caught up in a culture of violence.”

While it is essential for oppressed and persecuted peoples to find a means of defense and ways to resist oppression, Arnold said audiences “will see the way that the impulse to resist can be transformed when the only solution is a violent one.”

“Our use of violence to address problems throughout the world—that is what it seems to me this play is about,” said Arnold.

“Vilna’s Got a Golem” follows a troupe of actors from Vilna in 1899 as they present play that supposedly takes place in 1540.  Written by a company member, the play within the play tells of the creation of a golem by two poor Jewish cobblers in a plan to avenge a family death perpetrated by a mob. But a darker undertone grows stronger, first as the story of loss becomes more apparent, and then as the golem becomes an out of control force of random violence, wrote Arnold about the play.

Arnold, who comes from a strong family background in theater as well as a Jewish background, said that she has long been interested in Yiddish theater. She said she had long hoped to put on a play from the original Yiddish theater, but felt the long, complicated and culturally difficult scripts would be difficult for a student production. She said this more contemporary play is an opportunity to introduce a wider audience to Yiddish theater.

“Yiddish theater has an extremely important place in the history of American theater,” Arnold said. “Doing this play opens the door for our community to be aware of that major influence.”

Arnold said that the musical score under the direction of Chrisse Roccaro draws on the talents of two Lewis and Clark music students with an interest in klezmer music. Violinist Erica Liebert spent last summer at an institute in Germany studying klezmer. Austin Moore will play the guitar and mandolin.

The cast of eight students is a mix of Jews and non-Jews, which has provided opportunities for cultural experiences among the cast.

The box office can be reached at 503-768-7495; group tickets are available by calling Joyce Beeny at 503-768-7491.