by Linda Chin
Guy Ben-Aharon and his family left their home country of Israel and moved to Boston when he was nine. After a gap year in Spain before college, he returned to study at Emerson, and while there, founded the Israeli Stage Company. The Return by Hanna Eady and Edward Mast, a human story of the desires of a Palestinian citizen of Israel and a Jewish Israeli, marks the last play of the company’s final season. With two of Boston’s best actors – Nael Nacer and Philana Mia – in the lead roles and Ben-Aharon directing, The Return promises to be another groundbreaking and thought provoking production. Family, friends, and fans may be reassured to know that Ben-Aharon is not leaving Boston, nor his life as a theater artist behind, but is creating a new venture that promises a bold return.
Ben-Aharon has not disclosed the details of his new model, but my optimism comes from knowing that as theater makers and humans we both struggle with straddling cultures and languages, seek to bridge differences and build relationships and community, and are committed to diversity, access and inclusion on-stage and in the audience. My hope is that it will center on building empathy.
In live theater, the actors’ portrayals, production execution, and composition of audience are different from one performance to the next. At each performance, we breathe the same air and feel the emotions of other humans, and bring our own lived experience to the work. Notably, Israeli Stage Company has incorporated the opportunity for facilitated audience discussion after each performance of the 35 productions in its nine-year history. While in my experience not every theatergoer wants to be part of these discussions, many do like to listen/speak and learn, to stay connected and/or share a communal catharsis. From both sides of the stage I love discussion/talkbacks, and the chance to delve deeply with people other than my theater companions. Sometimes conversation sparks and some exchange of ideas happens during intermission, but more often you need to tend to your thirst, bladder or cellphone. Yes, Israeli Stage Company is closing, but I’m more grateful than sad, and think of it not as an unresolved ending but intermission for Guy Ben-Aharon’s next act. For tickets and info about go to: http://www.israelistage.com/productions/the-return/
