Photo Flash: First Look at POOR PEOPLE at FringeNYC

Poor People, a stage adaptation of Fyodor Dostoyevsky's epistolary novel and first masterpiece, Poor Folk, written by Lavinia Roberts and directed by Irene Kapustina, opened at the Kraine Theater on August 16th, 2015 and will run through August 29th, 2015.

Set in 1845 in St. Petersburg, Russia Poor People tells the story of a platonic relationship between an older clerk, Makar, and a young seamstress, Varvara. Varvara flees her abuser to live with an elderly woman and befriends Makar, who lives in the corner of a kitchen. Through letters, their friendship blooms. Until an unwanted suitor arrives. Can love triumph?

Through theatrical imagery, Poor People provides a deliberate commentary on NYC urban life of the 21st Century. The play reflects the challenges of the economic disparity of our time and raises the following questions: To what extent does our environment define us? How does poverty affect us? Poor People stays true to Dostoyevsky's world, celebrates the resilience and beauty of the human spirit in dark circumstances, and is an innovative blend of physical theatre and scripted text.

The production stars Alan Altschuler*, Elizabeth Bove*, Margaret Catov*, Eric Doss* Jennifer Stepanyk, and Jarrod Zayas with a design team that includes Annie Crowley (Dramaturge), Cynthia McDonald (Costume Designer), Aidan Zev Meyer (Sound Designer), Svetlana Surzhikova (Photographer /Videographer), David Givens (Stage Manager), Cecilia Roberts (Logo Designer), and Kathleen Powers (Graphic Designer).

Lavinia Roberts (Playwright) is the winner of the Mario Fratti/Fred Newman Political Playwriting award. Her work is published with Contemporary Drama Service, Heuer Publishing, Brooklyn Publishers and others and produced in London, Bath, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and other cities; NYC credits include Dixon Place, Here Arts Center, Galapagos Arts Space, the Cabrini Theatre, Theatre for the New City, Metropolitan Playhouse, and others. LaviniaRoberts.com

Irene Kapustina (Creator and Director) is a New York City based stage director with Eastern European roots (Minsk, Belarus). Irene has directed at The Drama League, The Barrow Group, The Players Theatre, TADA!, Theater for the New City, Dixon Place, Manhattan Rep, and other venues; site specific work includes Tallulah Lounge and the Museum of Sex in New York. www.IreneKapustina.com

Performances run SUN 8/16 3:45pm, THU 8/20 4:45pm, MON 8/24 7:00pm, THU 8/27 7:00pm, SAT 8/29 5:30pm at The Kraine Theater 85 E 4th Street (Bowery & 2nd Avenue; F to 2 Ave; N/R to 8th St - NYU; 4, 6 to Astor Pl.). Running time is 90min, no intermission.