Teatro Punto y Coma presents
Samuel, His Widow and the Whispering Flowers
May 24 @ 3:30pm | The Lawrence Family JCC
A captivating theatrical spectacle weaving together music, dance, and dramatic storytelling into a world filled with magic, wisdom, suspense, and vibrant color. Through movement, sound, and imagination, the performance invites audiences into a poetic journey where mystery and emotion unfold on stage, bringing to life a story that is both enchanting and thought-provoking.
Set in a shtetl, the story follows Sorele, whose husband mysteriously disappears. The entire community comes together to help her, sharing her hope and determination. Neighbors and friends unite in compassion, believing that together they can sustain hope and uncover the truth.
But after an unsuccessful search, the shtetl slowly loses hope, everyone except Sorele. Guided by love, faith, and stubborn hope, she keeps alive the whisper of possibility. In this theatrical world, memory, faith, and resilience guide characters through a journey of llove, perseverance, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.
A few words from Andy Mayer, Composer, about working on this project:
“As soon as David told me about his magical story of Samuel and Sorele, and asked me to help with the music, I knew I was embarking on a special journey. My first task was to compose the duet, Two Flames One Light, trying to invest it with all the intensity, mystical energy, Jewish symbolism and heart that I could. The cello intro came first, and then the song grew out of that organically, and finally the arrangement of the chorus—with backup singers, electric guitar and percussion—felt like the best way to evoke a sense of love transcending space and time.”
Credits
Author & Performance Concept by David Chait
Adaptation for Performance by Monica Bauer Federman
Musical Program
Freylekhs (Traditional; arranged by Andrew Mayer)
Little Star Waiting (Music by Diana Couriel; lyrics by David Chait; arranged by
Andrew Mayer)
The Capture (Andrew Mayer)
The Escape (The Trees) (AI algorithm; Robert Moutal & David Chait)
There Is No Choice (The Search) (Poem/lyrics by David Chait; music by Andrew
Mayer)
Two Flames, One Light (Lyrics by David Chait; music by Andrew Mayer)
Let Me Bloom (Music by Carlos Oliver; lyrics by David Chait; arranged by Andrew
Mayer)
Going Home (Music by Diana Couriel; arranged by Andrew Mayer)
Why Me / Crossing the River (Andrew Mayer)
Two Flames, One Light – Reprise
Freylekhs – Reprise
Dance Program and Choreography
The Shtetl – The Village —Sara Zetune, Bertha Fridman
The Escape (The trees) — David Chait, Christine Nievergelt
There is no Choice (The Search) — David Chait, Christine Nievergelt
Let Me Bloom (Flowers) — Faith Jensen Ismay
Why Me / Crossing the River — David Chait, Bruno Bousardi
Participants
Instrumentalists
Liam Chait – Percussion
Anna Kemp — Violin
Sebastian Mayer— Guitar
Jeff Myers — Cello
Andrew Mayer — Piano
Singers
Anna Kemp
Ari Gimbel
Danny Myers
Gabriela Chait
Sophie Nevarez
Dancers
Anel Moutal
Bertha Fridman
Christine Nievergelt
Dalia Feldman
Danya Kaye
Lizet Benrey
Michelle Jacobson
Raquel Sutton
Rina Bessudo
Sara Zetune
Vered Izigzon
Dancers Shtetl
Aida Masliah
Anel Moutal
Anita Maya
Aria Nahumzon
Ariel Nahumzon
Bertha Fridman
Camila Cohen
Dalia Feldman
Michel Goldstein
Sara Zetune
Shay Kleinberg
Susie Motola
Victoria Cohen
Story Teller
David Chait
Production & Stage Direction
Pepe Stepensky
Sore Gordon
Production & Creative Team
Scenery & Design
Stage Design — Sara Zetune, Yael Yaffe & David Chait
Costumes Design Concept — David Chait
Costumes Design Team — Sarita Feldman, Aaron Zaidman & Christine Nievergelt
Graphic Design — Daniela Adler
Technical
Lighting Design — Gerry Wellman
Sound Coordinator — Aaron Zaidman
Audio Recording — Diego Barragan
Stage Manager (Selection) — Teshy Wellman
Music Support & Creator
Robert Moutal
Rehearsal Support
Anel Moutal
Dalia Feldman
Christine Nievergelt
Event Coordinator
Pepe Stepensky
Yael Yaffe