” Chagall in School”

[rating=4] Chicago audiences are keen on the works of James Sherman ( local boy and all), Many of his plays are very “Jewish” works  (“Beau Jest”, “The God of Issac” and “The Escape Artists”) and others just a hint. Grippo Stage Comapny is unfamiliar to me with the exception of Mr. Sherman’s “The Ben Hecht Show” which I know they produced. Put them together and we have a new play written by a Chicago playwright under the banner of a new theater company at one of the unique and special storefronts in Chicago, Theater Wit- a perfect evening of theater, art, laughter and education.

This is not just a new play and production, but , in fact a World Premiere and the beauty of the story is that it is in fact based on actual events involving the artist known as Marc Chagall ( (John Drea is masterful in bringing this man to life). The story is about his venture to  create the Vitebsk People’s Art College back 100 years ago. There is no actual set design for this particular play, as it has been created to focus on the characters and the times, more than anything else. Directed by Georgette Verdin this is 95 minutes of character study as we learn about the artists of the period ( the early1920’s ) and their influence on each other and perhaps the world. While there is little set design , Abbie Reed utilizes the areas she has to create what can be a school setting and does a great job of using what is already onstage to create the home of Chagall and his wife Berta ( powerfully played by Yourtana Sulaiman).

The artists involved in the telling of this tale are Yuri Pen ( Fred A. Wellisch), Alexander Romm ( Peter Ferneding), El Lissitsky ( deftly handled by Myles Schwarz), Kazimir Malevich ( a powerful performance by Garvin Wolfe Van Dernoot), Vera Ermolaeva ( played to perfection by Daniella Rukin) and David Yackerson ( David Lipschutz, who proves that it is not the number of lines an actor has that will remain with the audience. His character hardly speaks, but truly stands out). These are the artists that are brought in to help organize and build the school that Chagall wants to bring to his people. The revolution is over, or at least we believe that to be the case.

Chagall wants Russia to have a free school where art and artistic aspirations can be realized by all. All seems right from the start until Malevich arrives and the new revolution begins. Should it be called “Supremist” or “Revolutionary”? Chagall believes that art should be what the artist feels and sees, from the heart, not the head. Others believe that it should be what the brush puts on the canvas. The dispute between the artists are strong and seem very real. After all, art is from our feelings and emotions. Chagall’s works are very noteworthy and in many cases very “Chagall”. Sure there are goats in his works, but when he explains why, you will feel his comfort and chuckle a bit.

There are many comic scenes in this 90 minutes of storytelling and all in all, you will find yourself learning a bit about art and its styles, laughing and even getting a little Jewish Culture ( in particularly from Berta on Friday night/Shabbos).

Becca Duff’s costumes were of the right period, Erik Watkins’ lighting was spot on and the sound by Erik Siegling ( who also composed the music) perfect. The props were assembled by Isabella Noe and the projections were done by Erin Pleake.

Presented by Grippo Stage Company

“Chagall in School” will continue Thru – Oct 8, 2022

with performances as follows: