The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk

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Ross Zentner

Marcus Truschinski and Emily Glick (plus Sam Taylor, piano, and Brian Grimm, cello) in "The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk."

Marcus Truschinski and Emily Glick (plus Sam Taylor, piano, and Brian Grimm, cello) in "The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk," Forward Theater, 2023.

A klezmer musical and a charming romantic fantasy, The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk is based on the life of Marc Chagall and his wife, Bella Rosenfeld Chagall. The arts (painting, dancing, music) are, in a sense, the star of the show. But the couple, living through the anti-Semitism and wars of the early 20th century, ground the play in reality — even while their imaginations are at full sway. Read Anya van Wagtendonk’s review here. This Forward Theater production shows at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, plus 2 p.m. on Feb. 3 and 10. Tickets at overture.org. Note: The correct opening date is Jan. 25, not Jan. 26 as published in the January print issue.

1/25-2/11, Playhouse, at 7:30 pm Wednesday-Saturday and 2 pm Sunday, plus 2 pm, 2/3 & 10.

media release: For their third production of the 2023-24 season, Forward Theater Company will present the Wisconsin premiere of The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk by Daniel Jamieson. Directed by Brian Cowing. Performances are in the Playhouse at Overture Center for the Arts, Jan 25 – Feb 11. This production continues Forward’s 15th anniversary celebration.

Against the backdrop of the early 1900s, Bella and Marc Chagall witnessed revolutions in art and nations. Spanning continents, immortalized in paint, their love both sustained and challenged them. A sensual feast of music, dance, color, and light, Flying Lovers invites us into the sumptuous imaginations of an artist and a writer, from their first meeting in Vitebsk to the melancholy sweetness of their last days together in New York.

“This is a show that feels deeply personal and deeply felt. It’s a whirl of colour and surreal humour, reflecting back Chagall’s art from the stage, but it’s also a paean to the quiet creativity of uncelebrated or less celebrated lives, particularly women’s, and to the idea that even when you find your soulmate you are seeing the same things through different eyes. A small, vibrant and delicate thing that considers the nature of creativity… and the way that love itself can be an art.” – The Guardian

The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk features Marcus Truschinski (American Players Theatre company member, last seen in Airness at Forward Theater) and Emily Glick (Forward Theater Advisory Company member, last seen in The Amateurs at Forward Theater).

Scenic Designer: Chris Dunham

Lighting Designer: Greg Hofmann

Costume Designer: Shelley Cornia

Sound Designer: Jim Uphoff

Props Master: Pam Miles

Technical Director: Kevin Zimmer

Stage Manager: Shawn Galligan

Asst. Stage Manager: Abbi Hess

Tickets are on sale now, and can be purchased online at forwardtheater.com, or via overture.org. Tickets start at $34, and can be purchased via phone at 608.258.4141. Discounts available.

ASL Interpretation: The Saturday, February 10 performance at 2:00pm will have ASL interpretation. Special seating is available with a view of the interpreter.

Forward Theater also offers a variety of amenities in the Playhouse at Overture Center that make the theater going experience more accessible for all, including assistive listening devices, large print programs, and more. Visit forwardtheater.com/accessibility for details.

The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk is generously sponsored by Sybil and Maurice Better, Steve and Jacqui Suleski, and Our Lives Magazine.