Experiments 16: Migdalia Cruz’s ‘Never Moscow’
Directed by Mariana Carreño King
Written by Migdalia Cruz
In this darkly whimsical tale about Anton Chekhov, marriage, and consumption, Chekhov is writing his Three Sisters, the characters of which long for Moscow as Chekhov himself avoids it, and his engagement to Olga Knipper – lead actress of the Moscow Art Theatre. As Chekhov is dying of consumption, he wonders: Why would a healthy woman attach herself to a fading man? Why is a fading man avoiding the woman who loves him? Why are servants the only ones to trust? And do horses in 19 th Century Russia really talk?
Cast Includes:
| Anton: Gabriel Sloyer | Ferapont: Teddy Cañez | Anfisa: Adriana Sananes |
| Masha: Christina Pumariega | Olga: Flor De Liz Perez | Ensemble: Jose Joaquin Perez |
MIGDALIA CRUZ is an awardwinning playwright, lyricist, translator, and librettist of more than 55 works including: El Grito Del Bronx, Salt, Lucy Loves Me, Fur, Miriam’s Flowers, Frida, and Lolita de Lares; produced in the U.S. & abroad in venues such as BAM, CSC, Mabou Mines, National Theater of Greece/Athens, Old Red Lion/London, Houston Grand Opera, Ateneo Puertorriqueño, Teatro Vista, CollaborAction, and Latino Chicago Theater Company, where she was a writerinresidence. An alumna of New Dramatists, she was named the 2013 Helen Merrill Distinguished Playwright, and was nurtured by Sundance, the Lark’s México/US Word Exchange, and by Maria Irene Fornés at INTAR. Migdalia was born in the Bronx where she wrote her first play at age 6.
For Experiments 16: New Century Female Dramatists, curators Jessica Hagedorn & John Jesurun have invited four New York based female playwrights to present a concert style reading of a new work in progress. The four writers represent a cross section of New York’s population, and each work brings a unique perspective on contemporary relationships, attachments, and identities.
Experiments Play Reading Series
For the 23rd season of La MaMa Experiments we will focus on theatrical works in progress addressing mental health issues. No one is more familiar with the need to create greater access to mental healthcare than our New York audience, who come face to face with this crisis on a daily basis. After 3 years of a global pandemic, all of us are feeling the upsurge of anxiety and depression, but these trends have been on the rise long before Covid-19. The works this season shed light on important, personal stories and deal with this subject matter in many different and unique ways. From tongue in cheek comedies to absurdist tragedies, Experiments hopes to create a season that will destigmaify, enlighten and, yes, even entertain.