ARLEKIN presents

THE DYBBUK

between two worlds
Written by Roy Chen based on the original play by S. Ansky

Adapted by Igor Golyak with Dr. Rachel Merrill Moss
Directed by Igor Golyak
Scenic Design David R. Gammons
Costume & Properties Design Sasha Ageeva
Lighting Design Jeff Adelberg
Sound Design Fedor Zhuravlev
Produced by Sara Stackhouse
Starring Andrey Burkovskiy & Yana Gladkih
Featuring The Arlekin Acting Company
With Guest Artists Deb Martin & Robert Walsh

US Premiere | May 30 – June 23, 2024
The Vilna Shul, Boston’s Center for Jewish Culture
18 Phillips St., Beacon Hill, Boston

THE DYBBUK is an ancient, fantastical, mystical Yiddish folk tale; a story of love, family, displacement, and the restless Jewish soul, set in the heart of the historic sanctuary of The Vilna Shul, Boston’s Center for Jewish Culture on Beacon Hill. Steeped in folklore and cultural tradition, it is the latest project undertaken by Arlekin Players Theatre as part of their Jewish Plays Initiative. Starring Andrey Burkovskiy as Khonen/The Dybbuk and Yana Gladkih as Leah as the tragic young lovers hovering between the worlds of the living and the beyond. The cast also features Arlekin’s resident company members Olga Aronova, Jenya Brodskaia, Polina Dubovikova, Anna Furman, Boris Furman, Rimma Gluzman, Gene Ravvin, Juliya Shikh, Olga Sokolova, and Irina Vilenchik as well as guest artists Deb Martin as Frade and Robert Walsh as Sender.

“Last fall I visited The Vilna Shul and I immediately felt surrounded by all the immigrants that traveled to that slope on Beacon Hill, from Vilna and other places across Eastern Europe in the late 1800s and early 1900s, those who built that building, and those who have lived and breathed inside its walls since,” says Golyak. “Looking at the partially uncovered murals, the old pickle barrels that hold portions of the Torah, the stained glass windows with light filtering in, and lists of Hebrew names on the walls, I could feel them all there with me – their love, their loss, their resilience, the displacement, the joy. In this terrible time in our country and our world, nothing feels more needed than to gather our many communities – our artists, the Boston theater community and audiences, our immigrant communities, the Jewish community, the members of today’s Vilna Shul, those who live and work near Beacon Hill and beyond – to gather in this sacred space and share an epic and fantastical tale of love, yearning, and the restless spirits that lie between us, and between worlds.” – Igor Golyak

“Working with Igor on Our Class in New York was an example of true artistic collaboration and an incredible experience for me as an actor,” shared Andrey Burkovskiy. “I’m honored that he has invited me to be part of THE DYBBUK with Arlekin Players. And to work with my friend, the stunning actress Yana Gladkih, who is playing Leah – it’s a dream! Boston, here I come and I can’t wait to meet you.”– Andrey Burkovskiy

The show is performed in English