THE NAKED WOMAN World Premiere to Star Volok, Glenn, and Atlas at Theatre 154

PM Theater has announced the world premiere of The Naked Woman, a gripping, darkly comic drama exploring love, morality, and blind devotion. Written by the powerhouse duo of Allie Avital and Alia Azamat Ashkenazi, and directed by Avital, the production will run for a limited engagement from June 3 through June 14 at Theatre 154 (154 Christopher Street, New York, NY 10014).

Brought to life by an esteemed producing team-Joshua Elias Palmer, Anna Bredikhina, Sergey Nagorny, and Alia Azamat Ashkenazi-The Naked Woman arrives amid a vibrant downtown Chekhov renaissance, offering a distinctly modern, female-driven take on the psychological family tragicomedy.

The play is adapted from the feature screenplay of the same name by Avital and Ashkenazi, currently in late-stage development with a legendary independent film company, and set to be directed by Avital.

The Story

The Naked Woman unfolds over a winter holiday in an Upstate New York country house, where a family of Soviet immigrants gathers to celebrate Misha (played by Ilia Volok), a man who has built a life on achievement, intelligence, and survival. But when a single moment shatters the illusion, an unsettling incident seeps into the house, turning the lively family gathering into a fierce Chekhovian moral reckoning.

At the center of the storm is 35-year-old Dasha (played by MaryKate Glenn), Misha's sensitive but ruthless daughter. Pregnant and entangled in a complex love triangle between a family friend and the father of her child, Dasha finds herself torn between deep-seated loyalty to her family and the terrifying possibility of truly growing up.

ADVISORY: This performance contains full stage nudity and mature themes. In accordance with New York State law, no one under the age of 17 will be admitted to the theater. Valid government-issued photo ID is required for entry.

World-Class Creative Leadership

The production boasts an extraordinary creative pedigree. Director and playwright Allie Avital is a prolific New York City filmmaker who has collaborated with global icons ranging from Lionel Messi and Dolly Parton to Olivia Rodrigo, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Caroline Polachek. A nine-time Vimeo Staff Pick alumnus, Avital's work has screened at Sundance, SXSW, and BAM. She previously directed the second unit on the MGM/Amazon film Holland starring Nicole Kidman, and co-wrote the 2025 ballet thriller Prima starring Faye Dunaway and Mira Sorvino. Her short film version of The Naked Womanwon the Audience Award on Short of the Week, and the feature iteration was developed at the prestigious Venice Biennale Cinema College.

Playwright and producer Alia Azamat Ashkenazi is a two-time United Nations Award recipient for her documentary and theater direction. Her impressive portfolio includes directing major campaigns for Netflix and General Motors, and she is currently preparing to direct the historical drama Children of Nowhere starring French actress Laëtitia Eïdo.

A Stellar Cast Headlined by Remarkable Artists

The ensemble cast features an incredible array of international talent, culminating in featured appearances by three extraordinary artists:

• Ilia Volok (as Misha): A veteran of stage and screen with over 90 film and television credits, Volok is widely recognized by blockbuster audiences for his roles in major Hollywood features, including appearances in several hit Marvel Cinematic Universe movies (The Amazing Spiderman; Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and The Punisher), Air Force One, and Power Rangers Wild Force. A master of his craft, Volok won the LA Weekly Theater Award for Best Solo Performance for Diary of a Madman and recently starred in Arlekin Player's Lucille Lortel Award-winning Our Class.

• MaryKate Glenn (as Dasha): A performer and maker drawing on her backgrounds in ballet, Grotowski-lineage physical theater, and psychoanalysis in her work onstage and off. Previous collaborations include: La Mama ETC, Krymov Lab NYC, Beth Morrison Projects, Prototype Festival, HERE Arts, culturehub LA, and Triplets Amsterdam. She is a founding member of the performance collective, exit strategy, which will bring exit strategy presents HOW TO WIN A GAMESHOW to Edinburgh Fringe in August. Training: the Useless Room, Teatr ZAR of the Grotowski Institute, MFA CalArts.
• Maria Atlas (as Zoya): A celebrated international actress, singer, and creative producer, Atlas brings her signature cross-cultural depth to the ensemble. Renowned for pushing creative boundaries-from serving as a creative producer for the Sochi Olympic closing ceremonies to starring in bilingual theatrical hits like Love Letters-Atlas is also a highly accomplished musical artist. Audiences can experience her cinematic, evocative style right now on her newly released smooth jazz album, Tunes Tones Talks.

The cast is rounded out by an exceptional ensemble including Natasha Goubskaya, Max Samuels, Dima Koan, Oleg Blinov, Tatyana Kot, Audrey Arnold, and Matt DeTitta.

Select performances will also feature exclusive artist talkbacks with renowned choreographer/director C Prinz, performance artist Alex Tatarsky, actress and choreographer Angela Timbur, and downtown theater darling Ruby McCollister.

Performance Schedule & Ticketing

The Naked Woman is an Equity Approved Showcase made possible in part by PM Theater, the resident company, licensed by Chashama.

• Wednesday, June 3 @ 7:30 PM
• Thursday, June 4 @ 7:30 PM
• Friday, June 5 @ 7:30 PM
• Saturday, June 6 @ 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM (2:30 PM & 7:30 PM)
• Sunday, June 7 @ 3:00 PM
• Wednesday, June 10 @ 7:30 PM
• Thursday, June 11 @ 7:30 PM
• Friday, June 12 @ 7:30 PM
• Saturday, June 13 @ 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM
• Sunday, June 14 @ 3:00 PM

Venue: Theater 154, 154 Christopher Street, New York, NY 10014

Tickets: $60

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