Searching for Freedom (ShPIeL Performing Identity)
- stagedoorlouisville
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
Prayer for the French Republic
By Joshua Harmon
Directed by David Chack
Review by Regina Harris
Entire contents are copyright © 2026 Regina Harris. All Rights Reserved
Persecution wrought on one cultural group by another is always a human tragedy.
A complicated and painful topic in any circumstance, Prayer for the French
Republic by Joshua Harmon, as presented by ShPIeL Performing Identity at the
MEx last Thursday night examines a wave of antisemitism in France. The play is set in 2016, but it first premiered in 2022; fears and arguments perceived then are just as relevant today.
Directed by David Y. Chack, Prayer is the story of a modern European Jewish
family with all its foibles, living with the history of persecution that universally
colors the Jewish experience. The cast brought humanity and thoughtfulness to
each of the characters in abundance. Erica Lamb as Marcelle and Kéleb
Beauchamp as Charles, the matriarch and patriarch of the modern family, did an
excellent job of portraying parents who love their children deeply - and as parents
have always done - fear for their safety. They brought humor, as well as love and
tenderness in tangible ways.
As the family’s adult children, Tony Newton (Daniel) and Stasia Schaum (Elodie)
deliver stand out performances. Newton displays a wide emotional range - from
fear and anger to tenderness and love - in the brief runtime; while Schaum
captures both teenage angst and biting intellectual acuity as she wrestles with a
complex dilemma: should the family move to Israel in troubling times or stay in a
place in which there’s a rise in antisemitism? She even argues herself into circles
during an animated exchange with visiting American cousin Molly (Trinity Smith)
who mostly holds back her opinions, offering just enough pointed questions to
give Elodie room to passionately debate issues of Jewish identity and place in the
world. For her part, Smith brings a calming restraint and nuance to her character.
Theatre veterans Megan Burnett and Andrew Skomorowsky as forebears Irene
and Adolphe handle their roles with great compassion and pathos. Their reunion
with one of their sons and his child after a marked time was truly heartbreaking.
Jacob Arnold as the son (Lucien) and Ellie Spalding as his child (Pierre) embodied
the trauma of surviving one of the most heinous experiences of the last century
with moving authenticity.
Rounding out the cast, Ron Blair (Old Pierre) is fully relatable as he reconciles with
his son Patrick (Jason Jones) facing their relationship without Marcelle as their go-
between.
As all of us navigate these complicated times individually and as a society, Prayer
for the French Republic reminds that we are only truly free when we seek
freedom for each other. This has never seemed more necessary and urgent.
Prayer for the French Republic ShPIeL Performing Identity
March 19, 20, 26, 27, 28 @ 7:00 PM
March 22, 29 @2:00 PM
Kentucky Performing Arts
501 W. Main St.
Louisville, KY 40202
502.584.7777
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