Theater J opens season with Chagall love story featuring aerialists and live music
Theater J presents the DC premiere of Daniel Jamieson’s play about Bella and Marc Chagall, running October 7 through November 1. Directed by Hayley Finn, the production includes live music and aerialist choreography by Gwynne Flanagan. The play traces the couple’s journey from a small Jewish town to a world of imagination and devotion.
The production marks the first DC staging of Daniel Jamieson's play, originally produced by Britain's Kneehigh company, which earned praise from The New York Times and The Stage. Theater J's version features aerialist choreography by Gwynne Flanagan, live music by Jeremy Allen Crawford and Katrina Michaels, and aerial performances by Thomas Martin and Rachael Small.
The play's structure has an older Marc Chagall reflecting on his life with Bella. Theater J, a program of the Edlavitch DCJCC, offers $5 community access tickets for EBT cardholders plus discounts for groups, students, educators, military personnel, and veterans. The run spans October 7 through November 1 at the Aaron & Cecile Goldman Theatre.
This production could introduce Washington audiences to a theatrical form blending circus arts with narrative drama, potentially expanding appreciation for interdisciplinary performance. The accessible ticket pricing may draw diverse community members, including those who typically face financial barriers to theater. By centering a Jewish love story with cultural and historical resonance, the play could foster cross-cultural understanding and connection among audience members of varied backgrounds, while also strengthening Theater J's role as a cultural bridge in the region.