Chicago Tribune
- Somewhat Recommended
"...All of these artists are very skilled and if you are interested in how you can render a romantic, sexualized mutual obsession through theatricalized movement, then you'll be impressed with what Margolius has achieved here, making use of an exceptionally strong (physically and artistically) actress in Rosenthal, who is a competitive powerlifter when not on the stage. Cahill-Lemme's main strength is his vocal interpretation of this British composer's klezmer-inspired music, an attempt in some ways to musicalize Chagall's art as well as his relationship with his wife."
Chicago Reader
- Highly Recommended
"...Blending dialogue, narration, song, and dance, Flying Lovers explores the longing for people left behind and places that are gone, often through songs in Yiddish, Russian, French, and English. And when words are not enough, their passion transforms into dance. With sparse set design by Scott Penner and muted costumes by Rachel Lambert, the performances themselves illuminate the vibrant colors that made Chagall famous, painting a colorful pastiche in the minds of the audience rather than projecting his actual artwork onstage."
Around The Town Chicago
- Highly Recommended
"...Northlight Theatre's production of The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk is nothing short of a masterpiece-a beautifully choreographed blend of music, movement, and visual storytelling that perfectly embodies the expressionist spirit of Marc Chagall's art. The play, written by Daniel Jamieson with music by Ian Ross and directed by Elizabeth Margolius, recounts the life and love story of Marc Chagall and his wife, Bella, set against the backdrop of early 20th-century Vitebsk, a town that was once a Jewish cultural center, before its devastation during World War II."
Chicago Theatre Review
- Highly Recommended
"...And the shear look of this production is breathtakingly beautiful, as well. Scott Penner's stark, sparse, deceptively simple Scenic Design makes wonderful use of the entire Northlight stage. Paired with a stunningly brilliant Lighting Design by Charles Cooper, that illuminates the moon and adds a touch of color to a basically neutral environment, the two designers forge a solid artistic partnership. Add to this duo Willow James' spot-on Sound and Rachel Lambert's carefully constructed monochromatic Costume Design, and you've got all the ingredients for a delicious one-act with music and movement that always seems to echo the unforgettable lyrics of "No One Knows It": Wherever I Go, I Carry Your Glance."
Buzz Center Stage
- Highly Recommended
"...Under the guidance of Artistic Director BJ Jones, The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk captivates audiences with its compelling narrative that holds their attention from start to finish. The production is brought to life with its talented cast along with music by Ian Ross, stage and movement direction by Elizabeth Margolius, and musical direction by Michael Mahler."
Chicago On Stage
- Highly Recommended
"...Daniel Jamison’s 2016 play The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk isn’t what one might call populist. It might even be a bit of a tough sell: the story of a decades-long relationship between surrealist painter Marc Chagall (Jack Cahill-Lemme) and his writer wife Bella (Emma Rosenthal), told with balletic dance, stylized movement, operatic singing (sometimes in Yiddish or Russian), klezmer-inspired music, and poetry (sometimes Bella’s own words). In the deft hands of director Elizabeth Margolius, though, Jamison’s play is a beautiful, provocative, and political love story that won’t easily be forgotten."
Chicago Culture Authority
- Highly Recommended
"...In 70 minutes, this production, directed by Elizabeth Margolius, carries us through Marc and Bella’s 35-year relationship as they navigate the tumult of early 20th-century history, including two world wars and a world-transforming revolution, via a gorgeous suite of klezmer-inspired songs richly rendered by fine-voiced leads Jack Cahill-Lemme and Emma Rosenthal. As they dance and sing and, often, passionately argue, the pair are ably accompanied by musicians Elisa Carlson and Michael Mahler. (Mahler also serves as musical director and adds an element of big-hearted joy to the show, which was written by Daniel Jamieson, with music by Ian Ross.)"
Evanston Roundtable
- Highly Recommended
"...The production traces the impact of anti-Jewish discrimination - from World War I to the Russian Revolution in 1920 to the rise of Hitler and the Holocaust - on Chagall, his work and his family life."
Splash Magazine
- Highly Recommended
"...The play so eloquently captures the passion of Russian Jewish tradition in this 80-minute theatrical work, played without intermission at Northlight Theatre. Their love allowed them to transcend the world and rise above it."
BroadwayWorld
- Highly Recommended
"...Director Elizabeth Margolius recreates the whimsical energy of Chagall's works through her inventive staging, having the couple twist and bend and yearn to reach one another just as they do in the artist's most famous paintings. The actors' movements inhabit a fascinating space somewhere between choreography and acrobatics, emphasizing the passion and eroticism that charged the Chagalls' individual creative outputs."
