The Vakhtangov State Academic Theatre of Russia Returns With Masquerade

Following three sold-out New York engagements, the Vakhtangov State Academic Theatre of Russia returns with a new verse drama Masquerade, directed by Rimas Tuminas (Eugene Onegin). Presented by The Cherry Orchard Festival Foundation (www.CherryOrchardFestival.org), 

Masquerade, based on the verse drama by Mikhail Lermontov, features a star-studded cast of Russia’s most acclaimed actors. Often compared to Shakespeare’s Othello, this study of jealousy and pride within the gossip-ridden aristocracy of 1830s St. Petersburg unmasks the captivating and guileful revelry that keeps morality teetering on a razor’s edge. The productions brims with decadent feasts, bright costumes, intrigue, flirtation, anda snow-covered stage on which alluring clowns shed compassionate tears.

Tuminas’ Masquerade is a tragic farce, a sad Commedia dell’Arte, and an exorcism of the heroes and hoaxes that enchant us away from our better selves. The production is performed in Russian with English subtitles.

The cast of Masquerade includes: Evgeny Knyazev, Lidia Velezhova, Victor Dobronravov, Leonid Bichevin, Maria Volkova, Yury Shlykov and others.

Masquerade is brought to life by the acclaimed artistic director Rimas Tuminas, and features music by Fausta Latenas, set design by Adomas Jacovskis, costumes byMaxim Obrezkov, and lighting design by Maya Shavdatuashvili. The production also features additional music by legendary Soviet composer Aram Khachaturyan, originally written for the 1941 production of Masquerade at the Vakhtangov Theatre. Originally written for the 1941 production of Masquerade at the Vakhtangov Theatre.

Rimas Tuminas is the recipient of the State Prize of the Russian Federation, Russian Festival of Performing Arts “Golden Mask” Award, International Stanislavsky Theatre Award, multiple Crystal Turandot Awards, and the Golden Nail Award. He has been the artistic director of the Vakhtangov State Academic Theatre of Russia since 2007, one of the oldest Moscow theatre companies founded by Eugene Vakhtangov, a student of Stanislavsky. In 2011, the theater was recognized as the most visited theater in Moscow.

Vakhtangov State Academic Theatre of Russia’s production of Masquerade is being presented in New York as part of a three-city North American tour, which includes performances in Toronto on June 9-10 and Boston on June 18-19.

Founded by a legendary Russian theatrical director and Stanislavsky’s scholar, Evgeny Vakhtangov, in 1921 and now led by one of the hottest European directors, Rimas Tuminas, legendary Vakhtangov State Academic Theatre of Russia is now Moscow’s landmark, located in the very heart of the city, and rated as the best theater in Russia by both critics and audiences. Vakhtangov’s troupe, that includes numerous Russian star actors, always presents the most original and interesting repertoire, with most of its productions being sold-out months in advance. Learn more about the company at vakhtangov.ru.

The Cherry Orchard Festival, a production of the Cherry Orchard Festival Foundation, a registered 501(c) (3) organization, is a multi-day, multi-cultural, multidisciplinary celebration of international arts in the heart of New York City and beyond, where newest and most daring projects are presented. Founded in 2012, their mission is to introduce and promote global cultural activity and exchange of ideas, aiming to enlighten and engage audiences through educational programs and events. The Festival’s vision is to create an ongoing dialogue between international artists and American audiences to promote greater cultural understanding, while encouraging family participation in the arts. The Foundation held their first annual International Arts Festival in New York City in 2013. Since then, the Festival expanded to Boston and Washington DC, where audiences were introduced to the critically acclaimed international theatre productions and provided with opportunities to enhance their Festival experience with educational pre- performance events and meet-the-artist sessions. For more information about the festival and to purchase tickets, please visit: www.cherryorchardfestival.org or call 1.800.349.0021.

Masquerade will play 4 performances at New York City Center (131 West 55th Street): June 13 at 7:30pm, June 14 at 7:30pm, June 15 at 7:30pm and June 16 at 2pm. Tickets are $55-$150. Group tickets, student discounts, and VIP tickets are available by calling Festival’s office at 1.800.349.0021 or e-mailinginfo@cherryorchardfestival.org.