Maybe it’s just who I’m hanging out with lately, but “The Dybbuk” storyline seems to be following me. (Pun intended.) This quintessential and original Jewish ghost story has a way of reappearing when the world feels unsteady — and right now, it’s showing up again in a truly breathtaking new form thanks to Boston’s own Arlekin Players Theatre.
What is “The Dybbuk”?
“The Dybbuk” is often called the first Jewish ghost story, though that description barely scratches the surface. Written by S. Ansky in 1914 and inspired by his travels through Jewish villages in Eastern Europe, the play tells the story of Leah and Chonen — two young lovers whose fate is disrupted when Chonen dies suddenly. His spirit, unable to rest, possesses Leah on the eve of her arranged marriage to another man. What unfolds is both terrifying and transcendent: a tale of love so strong it breaks through the boundary between life and death, faith and folklore.
At its heart, “The Dybbuk” isn’t just a ghost story — it’s a meditation on longing, identity, and what happens when the sacred and the forbidden collide. It’s the Jewish imagination at its most mystical and emotionally raw.
Who is Arlekin Players Theatre?
If you haven’t yet experienced Arlekin Players Theatre, now is the time. Based in Needham, Arlekin is an award-winning company of immigrant artists who have redefined Boston’s contemporary theater scene. Founded by artistic director Igor Golyak, the company became an international name during the pandemic with its groundbreaking virtual productions (“State vs. Natasha Banina,” “chekhovOS,” “The Orchard”), which blended live performance, cinematic storytelling, and interactive technology.
Arlekin’s work often explores exile, belonging, and the surreal spaces between worlds — themes that make “The Dybbuk” a perfect fit. Their multilingual, multimedia approach channels the timeless soul of Yiddish theater while speaking directly to our modern moment of disconnection and search for meaning.
Why is this show so special?
Arlekin’s new adaptation of “The Dybbuk” isn’t just another revival. It’s a re-envisioning — a haunting, immersive experience that reaches whole new levels in The Vilna Shul, which The Boston Globe described as “playing a character” in this incredible site-specific piece of theater. The production dives deep into questions of spirit and identity, pulling from Ansky’s original Yiddish text and layering in contemporary sound, design, and movement to create a ritual of love, memory, and possession.
The result? A performance that feels like a séance, a prayer, and a love letter to Jewish storytelling all at once. It’s Boston theater at its most daring — rooted in heritage, alive with innovation, and brimming with soul.
If you’ve ever wondered what it means to be haunted by history, or how ancient stories still speak to the anxieties and passions of today, this “Dybbuk” will move you — and maybe even linger with you.
It’s not to be missed this spooky season!
Get your tickets here, and check out our young professional reception on Oct. 30 or our special Shabbat dinner and show on Nov. 14.
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