THE DYBBUK

According to Jewish mystical literature, a dybbuk is a disembodied spirit that enters the body of a living person in order to possess that person's soul. Thus, the soul of the bride Leye is possessed by the soul of Khonnon, her promised bridegroom. Exorcism, mysticism and superstition prevail as this drama of eastern Europe unfolds in a full-cast radio production written and directed by Yuri Rasovsky. The loftiness of divine intervention, a leitmotiv of the play, is enhanced by the rich voices of Theodore Bikel and Edward Asner. Ashley Gardner uses an amazing range of vocal dramatics as Leye realizes her tortured predicament. The townspeople bring everyday questions to be heard. The scene is set by a Klezmer band. The background prayers spoken by the men of the congregation give a strong sense of place to the drama. J.P. © AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC/JAN 00]