The American Premiere of Grigory Gorin's play "Memorial Prayer” (original title).
This project is made possible with funds from the Decentralization Grant program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by The Arts Center of the Capital Region.
The theatrical project "Once Upon a Time in Anatevka" is based on the story "Tevye the Milkman" by Sholom Aleichem, in duo language adaptations for both English and Russian audiences. It is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged theatrical production that aims to raise awareness of antisemitism.
The action takes place in pre-revolutionary Russia, during the period when the persecution of Jews began. Fate colors Tevye's already difficult life with a series of incidents, testing his faith. Will he withstand all her hard blows? It is difficult to say how much a person can handle, but it becomes clear that faith helps a person not to break down in the hardest moments of life.
The events described in the play refer to 1905 - 1906 in Central Ukraine. It was this way of life and the realities of the "Jewish Pale of Settlement" that became the scene of action and the subject of the author's interest.The play tells about the difficult life of an old Jew Tevye - sincere, honest, poor, living in a small Ukrainian village with his family. His wife Golda and three daughters are his main wealth. How can you describe Tevye - faith in God and in people, in their good beginning and deeds, help to anyone who needs it, that's all he is, Reb Tevye. It seems that he complains about life, but this is rather a humble pity than suffering and protest. The story teaches humility and fortitude, carry your cross with dignity, and meet adversity with a smile.
Event Details
| THE SCENE |
The events described in the play refer to 1905 - 1906 in Central Ukraine.. |
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| PRODUCER |
NEW RUSSIA CULTURAL CENTER |
| PRODUCTION TEAM |
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| DIRECTOR |
Andrei Kouznetsov |
| Ligting technician |
Roman Sharikov |
| Audio technician |
Roman Sharikov |
| Set Design |
Andrei Kouznetsov |
| Set construction and props |
Vyacheslav Milyukov |
| Lighting Assistance |
Jared Ovitt |
| Lighting Design |
Andrei Kouznetsov |
| Sound Design |
Andrei Kouznetsov |
| Stage Managers |
Tatiana Stepanets, Elena Silverman |
| Marketing |
Tanya Deptola |
| Costume design and execution |
Olga Zvezdina, Natalia Savinova |
| Special thanks to |
Indiana Nash, Joe Sinatra, Randal Hogue |
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Marina Taborovskaya, Olga Portefield, Irina Shteinvurtsel |
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Lyuba Ruseva, Peter Rusev, Sevil Breton, Alla & Gregory Slutsky |
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Sasha Denisova, Fred Decker, Polina Smirnova |
CHARACTERS
Tevie - the Milkman.
Golda, his wife,
Tzeitel, Godle, Hava, their daughters
Motle, tailor
Prechik, student,
Feodor, clerk
Yentl, matchmaker - a relative of Tevye
Lazer Wolf, the butcher
Constable
Prist
Rabbi
Men, women, wedding guests, neighbors.
Meet the Casts
Jack Falon (Tevye) is a graduate of Villanova and holds a Master's in Ed Psych from St. Rose. He has appeared in theatres from the Palace in Albany to the Fox in Detroit to the Merriam in Philly. He has made appearances in several productions of the Saratoga Shakespeare Co. During the 1970s he was one of the pioneers of Off Off Broadway appearing over 35 productions at 6 different theatres. And was one of the founding members of the WPA Theatre. His robust energetic performances prompted the Village Voice to dub him "the jock set's contribution to Off Off Broadway." He has had guest starring roles on Jake and the Fatman and The Guiding Light.
Jackie Amilivia (Golda and Mother) is happy to be working with the Russian Cultural Center for the first time. She is a board member with Classic Theater Guild where she has served in many roles, including most recently, A Shayna Maidel and Picasso at the Lapin Agile. She has worked with Foothills Family Productions, Colonial Little Theater, Foothills Arts Council, Galway Players, Schenectady Civic Players, and is currently stage managing Albany Civic Players production of Driving Miss Daisy.Jackie is a former ESL Teacher and retired New York State employee who always wanted to be involved in theater. She would like to thank Andrei for the opportunity to play such rich characters, Bill Wilday for bringing her into this project, her family, Katt and Tristan for their support, and this very talented cast for their hard work and for this amazing experience. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Alan Angelo (Laser Wolf), MA in theatre, has 150 on-stage credits with companies ranging from Mac- Hayden to Schenectady Light opera Company to Glimmerglass Opera Company to Albany Detective Dinner Mysteries. Favorite roles include: Pseudelous (Forum), Fiorello (Fiorello), and Jean Sheppard (A Christmas Story). He has appeared in many independent films and video productions. Example:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7Jz8thOCtE and https://video.wmht.org/video/hieronymus-a-musical-fantasy-gkrfmg. Alan appeared with The New Russian Cultural Center’s production of, “The Family That Never Happened.” He dedicates his performance to the memory of Ann and Ed Angelo. Alan plays professionally Bari, Alto, Tenor Sax, and is a vocalist.
Carol Jones (Entl, matchmaker) has been involved in the theater world for over 50 years as an actress, director, stage and house manager, costumr, usher, and loved it all. She performed at the Lake George Dinner Theater, the Palace in Albany, The Egg, Rivervie Productions, Schenectady Light Opera Company, Albany Civic Theater, Schenectady Civic Theater, Capital Repertory Theatre, Columbia Civic Theater. Favorite roles: Fraulein Schneider in "Cabaret", Letectia Primrose in "On the Twentieth Century'', Miss Casewell in "Mousetrap", and many more. In other roles sometimes going from Stripper to Nun.
Jonathan Tarpy (Motl) became interested in acting during the Covid19 pandemic while living in NYC. At the time one of the only places still open during the lock-downs was a little theater off broadway where actress Catherine Russel taught a weekly acting class. Jonathan joined the class to improve his public speaking abilities and soon became intrigued by the work of an actor. Through one of the other students in the class, Jonathan was cast in a short film that has been screened at more than a dozen film festivals, winning several prizes, including the Grand Prix at a festival in France last year.
Bill Wilday (Constable) is pleased to be a part of this production. He has performed as Victor Velasco in Barefoot in the Park at Glove Theater and 13 stage performances with Classic Theater Guild. He would like to thank the director, cast and crew and hopes you enjoy the show.
CarolAnne Manzer (Godl), member of SUNY Oneonta Theatre Department (2021-2022), company member of Blue Horse Repertory Theatre. She serves in roles as Suzanne/Countess in Picasso at the Lapin Agile at Classic Theatre Guild; Marina (Pericles), Fiona (Shameless) at Goodrich Theatre, Tracey (Sweat), Lulu (Between Riverside and Crazy), Josie (A Moon for Misbegotten), First Witch (macbeth) at Blue Horse Theatre. She is alo guitarist and singer.
Ro Dell’Acqua (Hava), BFA Theatre Performance, Niagara University. She serves in roles as Jo (Independence), Woman of Avenger Field (Decision Height) at Niagara University Theatre, Featured Performer (Speak To Us Of…). University at Buffalo, Eileen (Moon Over Buffalo), Mariah (Twelfth Night), Ensemble (Les Miserables) at the Guilderlan Players, Mermaid (Carnival) at Immersive Theatre Artpark Gala.
Dexter Bullard (Rabbi) is no stranger to the theater. He graduated from the UCLA theater department, being a theater major, in Los Angeles. He was seen as an actor in off-Broadway productions, summer stock, some soap operas, and one production in Joseph Papp's Public Theater. He then moved away from the city to Connecticut and was hired to teach acting and direct all school plays in his alma mater high school (prep school), and also hired as an acting instructor at The University of Connecticut in Storrs, CT . He established his own theater and acting school in downtown Austin, Texas. He directed and taught acting at his own theater "The Gaslight Theater" a number of very well received plays over several years.
John Reheuser (Prist) is inspired and thrilled to be in a thought provoking play about hardship in the Pale of long-ago Russia. He has been in 41 plays since 2009, having played a psychiatric patient, an executor, a colonel, a war criminal, a pirate, a prince, as well as judge and priest.
UPON A TIME IN ANATEVKA
The American Premiere of Grigory Gorin's play "Memorial Prayer” (original title).
This project is made possible with funds from the Decentralization Grant program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by The Arts Center of the Capital Region.
The theatrical project "Once Upon a Time in Anatevka" is based on the story "Tevye the Milkman" by Sholom Aleichem, in duo language adaptations for both English and Russian audiences. It is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged theatrical production that aims to raise awareness of antisemitism.
Event Details
CHARACTERS
Tevie - the Milkman.
Golda, his wife,
Tzeitel, Godle, Hava, their daughters
Motle, tailor
Prechik, student,
Feodor, clerk
Yentl, matchmaker - a relative of Tevye
Lazer Wolf, the butcher
Constable
Prist
Rabbi
Men, women, wedding guests, neighbors.
Meet the Casts