Ruins of Achelach
Michelle Levy summons the serendipitous elements that brought her to this very moment: a déja vu in a field; a religious craving; an overlooked report card that is very, very old; a letter drafted from the sky; a grandmother’s cryptic message; a scotch sour; Poland; and possibly, falafel.
Performed at the intersection of premonition, research and reanimation, Ruins of Achelach shares a genealogical mystery as it unfolds.
Ruins of Achelach performance-in-progress debuted at Dixon Place, NYC, on October 15, 2016. Developed with and directed by Sarah Cameron Sunde, with Assistant Director Jenna Rossman. Introductory choral performance by Leigh Davis and invited guests, performing Mother Circle.
Ruins of Achelach, Restaged was presented by TheaterLab, on January 8, 2017, with lighting design by Guy de Lancey.
An early version of this work, Before Poland (Achelachl) was performed at Theaterlab in August, 2016, as part of their Solo Sunday festival.
Video stills: Ruins of Achelach at Dixon Place on October 16
Video stills: Ruins of Achelach (Restaged) at Theaterlab, January 8, 2017
Ruins of Achelach, Restaged
Michelle Levy summons the serendipitous elements that brought her to this moment: a déja vu in a field; a religious craving; an overlooked report card that is very, very old; a letter drafted from the sky; a grandmother’s cryptic message; a scotch sour; Poland; and possibly, falafel.
Performed at the intersection of premonition, research and reanimation, Ruins of Achelach shares a genealogical mystery as it unfolds.
Ruins of Achelach was presented in October as a one-night-only show. The theater was packed, the audience cheered and yet, an unfortunate error was made. The slightest bit of mischief led to repercussions beyond the stage. Michelle awoke the next day aware that she had inadvertently done the unthinkable: insulted her grandmother (of blessed memory) … in public.
Michelle waited to hear, whispered in her ear, “and what am I, chopped liver?” But the universe had veered off course, leaving nothing but an icy trail behind.
Things have not been the same since. For the sake of Michelle’s grandma and, by extension, possibly humanity, the story must be set straight. Thanks to Theaterlab, Levy will perform Ruins of Achelach once more, corrected, with audience and camera as witness.
The event will conclude with a moment off-camera, for those who wish, to air and have forgiven your own regretted insults to loved ones.