Theater 86 Presents

Based on The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri

Directed by Aleksey Burago

Art Work by Valery Yershov

Translation by Robert M. Torrance

Adaptation by Aleksey Burago and Di Zhu

Dramaturg Riccardo Ripani

Diction and Vocal Coach Elena Mindlina

Projections, Sound and Costumes by Di Zhu

Lighting Technician Lucky Gilberto

Running Time: 1 Hour 45 Min

CAST

Cast

Can Denis Erzaim, Semion Kashirin, Luisa Menzen, Sarah O'Donnell, Ariel Polanco, Tom Schubert, Mark K. Simmons and Di Zhu

The cast and crew wish to thank the following angels, without whom this production would NOT have taken place! Thank you to our dearest ones—your loving hearts and hands made this show a reality! Thank you to Ms. Neno Belsoi, Mr. Hazen Cuyler, Ms. Victoria Furman, Mr. Michael Gobovitski, Ms. Marina Kovalyov, Ms. Elena Mindlina, Ms. Julie Skarratt, Ms. Tracey Toth, Mr. Oleksiy Varfolomiyev and Ms. Elena Weintraub!

Aleksey Burago (Director, Adaptation) A graduate of the Moscow Academy of Theatre Arts (GITIS), Aleksey studied under the world famous Russian director Pytor Fomenko. He has directed many productions to critical acclaim in Europe and America, including Beyond Recognition, which had a sold-out run at the Hermitage Theatre in St. Petersburg. His television production of Queen of Spades (Moscow TV) also received rave reviews. Select New York directing credits include Diary of a Madman, On the Eve (Obie Nominee), Ah, My Dear Anderson (Time Out NY Critics Pick), Animal Farm, Gamblers, The Overcoat, Lambs For Slaughter, Lady with a Lapdog With Jokes and a Happy Ending, Vassa, An Absolutely Happy Village, In Paris, The Waiter And The Slut, The Magic Forest of Baba Yaga, The Bear, Uncle Vanya, Crime and Punishment, Three Sisters and Swan Song. His production of Mikhail Bulgakov's The Master and Margarita, Or, The Devil Comes to Moscow played to rave reviews and had two sold-out runs. As a teacher, Aleksey has taught around the world, including Theatre Academy and Conservatory in St. Petersburg, GITIS Scandinavia in Denmark, International Festival in Mexico, Theater Communications Laboratory in Japan, Bilkent University in Turkey, Manhattanville College and HB Studio in New York City.

Valera Yershov (Scenic Paintings) Born in the Soviet Union, in the city of Yessentuki, Valera graduated from State Respin Academy of Art in St. Petersburg. Yershov's art received international recognition when he joined Furmanny Lane in Russia, Europe and the Americas. His works have been shown as part of the international Art Armory Show, auctioned in Sotheby's and Phillips houses, and held in many private collections and museums. In his ironic realism, Yershov utilizes exaggerated figures, rich textures and bright colors. His flamboyant paintings strike and amaze the viewer's imagination, appealing on both analytical and emotional levels while illuminating many aspects of human experience. www.valery-yershov.herokuapp.com

Can Deniz Erzaim (Sinner/Jason/Chiron) is a native of Turkey. He is an actor and musician and has performed extensively on stage abroad. This is his second time appearing at T86. He wishes to thank the cast and crew for this adventure!

Semion Kashin (Sinner, Rubicante, Demon) is originally from St. Petersburg, Russia. At T86, he was last seen in Mozart and Salieri and Scene From Faust. He graduated from music school in percussion class as well as figure skating school. Semion’s theatrical journey began at Theater Aus Dem Nichts (Hamburg, Germany). He has played in comedy performances such as the show Donna and Darilyn's Pitbull Lounge at the Broadway Comedy Club. His last screen appearance was in the short film You and I. Additionally, Semion has worked as a model for art and sculpture studios and also has stunt experience.

Luisa Menzen (Beatrice, Francesca, Sinner) is a NYC based, multilingual actress, who was born in Germany and grew up in Italy, where she started performing in theater and began to work in the arts. She moved to the Big Apple, further pursuing her acting career. New York stage credits directed by Aleksey Burago include My Uncle Chekhov, Crime and Punishment, The Master and Margarita (West End Theater), Avenue of Wonder (The Balcony Theater), Lady with a Lapdog (Theater for the New City), Enemies of the People, The Seagull, In Paris/ The Waiter and the Slut, The Rise and Fall of Macondo, Lambs for Slaughter, Dante’s Inferno, Molière: 400 Years Celebration, Yama the Hellhole (Pushkin Hall), Viy (Sanctuary Theater) and Diary of a Madman. Luisa has done voice-over work and can be seen in independent films, commercial spots and print work. She would like to thank Di & Aleksey and this incredible cast for this magical journey. http://www.luisamenzen.com IG:@lillweeza

Sarah O’Donnell (Charon, Geryon, Phlegyas, Sinner) is a graduate of NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Art) and worked extensively in Australian theater, television and radio. Stage credits include Desdemona in Othello for the Elizabethan Theatre Trust, Stella in A Streetcar Named Desire for the Melbourne Theatre Company, Masha in The Seagull for the South Australian Theatre Company, a national tour with Barry Humphries’ Life and Death of Sandy Stone, and various contemporary Australian works at Malthouse Theatre, Kickhouse Theatre and La Mama. Her time living in Russia immediately after the collapse of the Soviet Union and discovering Russian theater, art and culture was a life changing experience. She now lives in New York and is realising a long-cherished dream to study acting from this tradition, under the tutelage of Aleksey Burago at the Russian Arts Theater. Past appearances at T86 include Diary of a Madman, Animal Farm and Viy.

Ariel Polanco (Malacoda, Lucifer, Sinner) is thrilled to return to the Russians Arts Theater stage. His work as an artist has taken him beyond New York City, and has performed domestically in North Carolina and Texas, as well as internationally, in Italy, Turkey, and Japan. Ariel was last seen performing in NYC and Provincetown in Tennessee Williams’ Battle of Angels. Select stage credits with T86 include: The Rise and Fall of Macondo, Enemies of the People, The Master and Margarita, Lady with a Lapdog with Jokes and a Happy Ending, Three Sisters, and Avenue of Wonder. He would like to extend his gratitude to Aleksey Burago, Di Zhu and his fellow cast mates and theater crew.

Tom Schubert (Dante) is very appreciative of collaborating with T86 in this production at Pushkin Hall. With TRATS, Tom has recently appeared in Viy as Khoma Brut. Other select credits at Russian Arts include Diary of a Madman, Animal Farm, Moliere: 400 Years Celebration, The Gamblers, Lambs For Slaughter, The Overcoat, Yama the Hellhole, The Rise and Fall of Macondo, Bunin/Berberova: In Paris/The Waiter and The Slut, Enemies of the People, Lady With a Lapdog With Jokes and a Happy Ending and The Master and Margarita. He works on the stage, film and TV as well as in voice-overs. For credits and more on his work visit tomschubert.com

Mark K. Simmons is ecstatic to be back on stage with his Theater 86 family for his third show:  this time in the role of Virgil, the BEST guide you could have in the worst situation!  Mark was last seen with T86 as Napoleon in George Orwell’s Animal Farm.  Mark is grateful for the love and support from his wife Teresa and his son Michael and especially to renowned director Aleksey Burago for giving him the chance to play this challenging but amazing role!

Di Zhu (Ugolino/Sinner/Projections/Costumes) is a Chinese-American actress, pianist, and theater producer based in NYC. She is a foodie and is allergic to awkward silences. Di has appeared in many productions at Theater 86, most recently as Mozart in Mozart and Salieri/Scene From Faust. Other select appearances include Viy, Animal Farm, Yama The Hellhole, The Overcoat, Lambs For Slaughter, The Waiter and The Slut, The Rise and Fall of Macondo, Enemies Of The People and Mikhail Bulgakov's The Master and Margarita. Film and TV credits include Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (with Tina Fey and Margot Robbie), NBC's The Blindspot, A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood (with Tom Hanks) and WeCrashed (with Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway). She wishes to thank the cast and Aleksey for another incredible journey together! IG: @disayshello www.whoisdi.com

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