Russian Arts Theater Pays Homage To Russian Emigré Diaspora In BUNIN/BERBEROVA: IN PARIS

This July, The Russian Arts Theater and Studio presents two gripping love stories by Russian émigré writers: Nobel Prize winner Ivan Bunin and the lesser-known yet captivating Nina Berberova, adapted for the stage by playwright Fred Pezzulli.

Driven to exile following the revolution, former Russian aristocrats now find themselves isolated as new immigrants in Paris. Their new lives are spent battling sickness, searching for afforable apartments and waiting in pawn shops, Ivan Bunin's In Paris tells the brief and bittersweet encounter of an ex-general of the old imperial army and Olga Alexandrovna, a young woman now working as a waitress in a Russian restaurant. Upon a chance meeting, they momentarily find a sense of home in each other's arms. In Nina Berberova's raw and searing The Waiter And The Slut, Tania Shabunina longs to find a wealthy man to take care of her, only to attract a former lieutenant now working as a waiter at an upscale restuarant. Living bitterly among ghosts of her past, Tania soon grows to hate her lover as her dream of "Parisian happiness' seem farther and farther out of reach.

Renowned Russian director Aleksey Burago helms this production featuring actors Roman Freud, Luisa Menzen, Tom Schubert and Di Zhu. This will also mark the first collaboration between Burago and set designer Nataliya Danilova.

This limited engagement will take place at Pushkin Hall at 165 W86th Street, New York, NY 10024. Performances will take place at 8PM from Wednesdays to Sundays, with an additional 2PM matinee on July 13th, 2019. Tickets can be purchased at www.russiantheater.org or at the box office.