Synetic Theater Returns with a Brilliantly Imagined Premiere of The Immigrant
The Immigrant
Synetic Theater
Jordan Wright
March 16, 2025
Special to The Zebra
L to R – Lev Belolipetski, Philip Fletcher, Joshua Cole Lucas, Vato Tsikurishvili, Stella Bunch, Maryam Najafzada, Natan Mael-Gray, Nutsa Tediashvili (Photo/Katerina Kato)
In a heart-stirring paean to all the desperate, lonely, hopeful people who fight against all odds to come to America, Synetic Theater presents The Immigrant. Nathan Weinberger’s wonderfully imaginative adaptation of this tender story of love and struggle is told “wordlessly”. Synetic’s extraordinary and groundbreaking troupe is well known for their unspoken productions of Shakespeare’s works as well as Poe’s and other classic authors’ seminal works. Adapted and reimagined from Charlie Chaplin’s 1917, 22-minute silent short, this expanded telling more deeply explores the plight of the immigrant as he struggles to escape prejudice and hardship in a war-torn country only to face a new set of challenges in New York City.
Aboard the rickety steamship, Little Fellow (young Chaplin played by Vato Tsikurishvili) sees Hetty (Maryam Najafzada) who is traveling with her Sister (Stella Bunch). A violent storm rocks the boat and Sister is tossed overboard. When Little Fellow (aka Chaplin) rescues her from the roiling seas, and the sisters reunite, the three form a shipboard friendship that sets the story of their adventures from their arrival through Ellis Island to the cinematic glories of silent screen filmdom.
Vato Tsikurishvili as the Little Fellow, Paata Tsikurishvili as The Immigrant (Photo/Katerina Kato)
The casting of Maryam and Vato as co-leads is perfection. The sylph-like grace and indelibly gamin charm of Maryam has won me over throughout her numerous lead and co-lead roles at Synetic. As a classically trained ballerina and choreographer, she brings delicacy, beauty, humor and pathos to the role of Hetty, a girl who evolves from frightened immigrant to dazzling movie star. Vato, as followers know, is a highly physical performer, whose mime skills and gymnastic athleticism are gasp-worthy. He is tailor-made for this challenging role that requires not only the unique skill of silent representation, but also the exaggerated expressiveness needed to convey comedy as readily as tragedy.
Echoing the duo’s transformation, Eric Teague’s costumes reflect the couple’s meteoric rise from rags to riches expressed by Chaplin’s later adoption of signature cane, black bowler hat and mustache! to Hetty’s 20’s era beaded gown laden with glittery crystals.
Chris Galindo, Philip Fletcher, Stella Bunch, Natan Mael-Gray, Nutsa Tediashvili, Vato Tsikurishvili as The Little Fellow, Joshua Cole Lucas (Photo/Katerina Kato)
All this is performed without words yet backgrounded by sound effects and music from the 1920’s and 30’s cleverly woven together by Sound Designer, Composer and Remix Artist, Koki Lortkipanidze. His selections contrast the spirited Jazz Age of glamorous flappers against the hardships of the Great Depression. Familiar tunes from Duke Ellington and Ragtime pianist Scott Joplin are woven into the fabric of the piece as the young couple eventually find success in the movies with Charlie directing and Hetty as the pretty ingenue. Synetic favorite, Philip Fletcher, plays The Producer who discovers Chaplin and gives him his first acting job in a Keystone Kops episode, a role that truly launched his career and his first paycheck.
Joshua Cole Lucas, Chris Galindo, Vato Tsikurishvili as the Little Fellow (Photo/Katerina Kato)
Synetic co-founder, Paata Tsikurishvili, in a dramatic return to the stage after a devastating car accident several years before, plays The Immigrant, Chaplin’s inspirational mentor and fantasy guiding light who weaves in and out of his life.
Supported by eight other performers, scenes bounce between tragedy and hilarity with the brilliance of the physicality and emotional expertise that these classically trained dancer/performer mimes are famous for. If you’ve never experienced the magic that is Synetic, this premiere will blow your mind. Conversely, if you are as endeared to their multi-Helen Hayes Award-winning productions as we faithful audiences are, you will cheer wildly at this creative telling of the immigrant story in a relevant and timely reminder of the struggles faced by those fleeing oppression only to land in an uncertain world of danger, poverty and homelessness with the elusive promise of success.
Highly recommended! An absolute must-see!
Vato Tsikurishvili as the Little Fellow, Joshua Cole Lucas, Stella Bunch, Natan Mael-Gray, Nutsa Tediashvili, Philip Fletcher, Lev Belolipetski, Chris Galindo (Photo/Katerina Kato)
With a phenomenal ensemble of Natan Maël-Gray, Lev Belolipetski, Nutsa Tediashvili, Joshua Cole Lucas, Chris Galinda, Camille Pivetta, Rodin Alcerro and Kaitlyn Shifflett.
Co-Directed by Paata and Irina Tsikurishvili; Choreographed by Irina Tsikurishvili; Lighting Design by Brian S. Allard; Assistant Costume Design by Channing Tucker; Scenic Artist Tim Grant; Assistant Director and Co-Sound Design by Iko Kavsadze; Additional Music by Aaron Kan.
Through March 23rd at Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre, 125 South Old Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22204. For tickets and information visit www.SyneticTheater.org.
The Immigrant will move to Theatre J where it will run between April 11th – April 27th. Theatre J is located at 1529 Sixteenth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036. For tickets and information for Theatre J contact the box office at 202 777-3210 or visit www.EDCJCC.org.