This production of Tales of Chelm is based on the book “The Wise Folk of Chelm,” by Semour Rossel. Adaptors Jesse Garlick and Dori Robinson approach classic Jewish folktales through a modern lens in Tales of Chelm, reimagined by JArts Theatreworks. Composed of four segments, Tales of Chelm  utilizes innovate performance techniques, such as puppets, masks and clowning, to tell the stories of the people of Chelm— Eastern European villagers who considered themselves uniquely wise, and whose antics have been amusing us since the sixteenth century.

The first installment in the series, “How the Town of Chelm Came to Be” is an origin story told entirely through shadow puppetry. Learn how the town of Chelm began, follow along as they attempt the seemingly impossible, and discover why Jewish culture has rendered these stories immortal. Zany fun for all ages!