Moscow Jewish Theater Stages Sevela Play in Israel

The Moscow Jewish Theater "Shalom" will present its production of "Monya Tsatskes, The Standard-Bearer" in Israel from October 16 to 24. The play, directed by Oleg Lipovetsky, is based on the novella by Ephraim Sevela, an author known for his unique approach to writing about war, focusing on characters who, despite hardship, retain their individuality, self-irony, and ability to respond to absurdity with their own brand of humor. The story follows Monya Tsatskes, a Jewish man from Panevėžys, Lithuania, who finds himself in the Red Army during wartime.

Lipovetsky has chosen a "street theater" format for the production, minimizing the distance between the stage and the audience. The cast, featuring leading actors from the Shalom Theater, including Anton Shvarts, Nikolai Tarasyuk, Anton Ksenyev, and Karina Pestova, portray dozens of characters, shifting roles and personalities fluidly. The play also incorporates Psalms of David, which are not present in Sevela's original novella, adding a timeless dimension to the narrative, according to the director. Lipovetsky emphasizes the power of laughter in overcoming fear, stating, "When you don't want to be afraid, you need to laugh at your fears."

For Israeli audiences, Ephraim Sevela holds particular significance. After emigrating from the Soviet Union in 1971, he lived and worked in Israel. During the Yom Kippur War, Sevela volunteered to defend the country and was wounded. Therefore, these performances in Israel offer an opportunity to remember Sevela, a writer who explored the Jewish fate with humor and without didacticism, even when discussing the most difficult subjects.

"Monya Tsatskes, The Standard-Bearer" has been nominated for the Golden Mask theater award and has enjoyed successful runs at the Shalom Theater. This will be the play's first showing in Israel. The production runs for 1 hour and 40 minutes without an intermission. The tour is organized by Rest International Israel.