|
Jewish Musical Theatre Firelech Biography
A "firelech" is a "spark" which describes the Firelech group
and it's entrance onto the entertainment scene of Jewish
culture in Boston.
"Firelech" roots come from another Jewish
Group with the same name. In Vilnius (Lithuania) in 1971 a
group of people organized a Jewish ensemble of music and
dance, which was called "Firelech". That ensemble became
well known in the former Soviet Union and around the world.
In 1989 Anna Kravets became the artistic director and
choreographer of that group. It performed in Russia, Israel,
Japan, Sweden, Germany, Belgium, and Holland...
(see History page)
We hope to carry on their tradition here in Boston.
Firelech theatre is very young. It was born in September,
2000 when Anna Kravets (she moved to the USA in 1999)
suggested the idea of a Jewish Musical Theatre to a group of
enthusiastic fans of Yiddish folk music. Her vision was very
exciting and they decided to give it a try. She recruited
Company members and backstage workers from the local Russian
community. The company members are all volunteers rehearsing
late into the night after their day jobs. The creation of
Firelech Boston is a testimonial to determination and
ortitude in the face of insurmountable obstacles. As the
group seeks a larger venue to meet audience demand and
increased community support, Anna states her goal: "I want
to create a unique Jewish Community Theatre with a school
for dancers, singers, and actors. If I succeed, Boston will
be the first city to have it."
But most importantly, the participants are all wonderful,
talented people with great personalities. They come to
rehearse three times a week for 2-3 hours, leaving school,
work and family behind. The first short performance took
place at the JCC in Brighton, MA in November, 2000 after
two months of rehearsing. It was a 45-minute concert.
The next concert was organized in February, 2001. The
first big show, called ''Vignettes of life in a Shtetl',
took place at the JCC in Newton in May, 2001. During the
past year they performed in MA and New York. The premier of
a new show 'Smile - You're On' was shown in June, 2003.
They won a third place at the International Competition
'The Gold Chanukia'.
As they perform heartwarming songs in Yiddish and Hebrew and
magically dance on stage, you suddenly become a time traveler
transported onto the streets of that Shtetl‚ a place where
our great-grandparents lived among the Jews of Spain, Greece
and Yemen. Eventually you find yourself in the land of Israel,
where no matter how many tears are shed and how much pain
we as Jews endure, there is always room for song and dance
in our hearts.
Firelech is always interested in recruiting new singers and
dancers. Rehearsals are held every Monday and Wednesday
evenings from 8 to 10pm and Sundays from 12 to 3pm at
50 Sutherland Road, Brighton, MA 02135.
If you are planning an event and you would like to
add a taste of Jewish and Israeli dancing and singing, just
call us and book Firelech.
|
