Founded in 2012 by Maria Shcluver and Irina Shabshis, the Cherry Orchard Festival has consistently introduced prominent international works by performing and visual artists to audiences in major cities across the US. It has managed to do so while offering affordable ticket prices and offering at least one free event each year. On Saturday, July 1, 2023 the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles, the Cherry Orchard Festival will present I AM HERE featuring two Russian born artists who left their homeland following the invasion of Ukraine. This one man show stars actor Anatoly Beily and directed by artist, theater director and actor Egor Trukhin. Performed in Russian, I AM HERE will tour across the nation June – July 2023 after a triumphant sold-out run in Israel. Tickets are on sale now.
Anatoly Belyy – Photo by Michael Ryzhov
Before leaving Russia Anatoly Beily was a highly acclaimed theater and film actor, starring in leading roles at the Moscow Art Theatre and appearing in over 50 films. He has also been praised for his anti-war position. Beily now resides in Israel and is an actor at the Gesher Theater in Tel Aviv.
Egor Trukhin is a graduate of the Moscow Theatre College under the guidance of Oleg Tabakov, and of the famed The Russian Institute of Theatre Arts (GITIS). He also relocated to Israel following announcing publicly his anti-war position and he too works with the Gesher Theater.
Anatoly Beliy in I AM HERE – Photo (c) Ed Markovich
“Beliy’s “everyman” character goes on a dramatic emotional exploration of one’s identity, a conversation with the audience about our innermost feelings, sometimes funny and sad, or tragic and comical, but always sincere. Written after the start of Russia’s war in Ukraine, “I AM HERE” is a dramatic tapestry of works by contemporary poets: Alya Haitlina, Zhenya Berkovich, Lena Berson, Michael Eisenberg, Roman Osminkin, Konstantin Buzin, M.K. translated by Anna Krushelnitskaya.” Michelle Tabnick PR press release.
“The Festival is incredibly excited to announce its upcoming season as a lot has changed since the last festival in 2020. The pandemic, the rapidly changing landscape of performing arts, and the ongoing war in Ukraine have emboldened The Festival to discover new ways to engage while remaining faithful to its original mission to present acclaimed international performers to US audiences. The 2023 season will feature three different perspectives from Russian-speaking performers who are openly speaking out against the war in Ukraine through their respective genres: film, theater, and music,” said Maria Shclover, Producer, Cherry Orchard Festival.
Anatoly Beliy in I AM HERE – Photo by Asher Davidson Ashdod
“As always, the Festival aims to maximize connection through intimate Q&A conversations with artists, bringing audiences closer to the creative process and facilitating conversations. We will continue to offer discounts for groups and for students, enabling access for more arts lovers than ever before,” said Irina Shabshis, Artistic Director, Cherry Orchard Festival.
Anatoly Beliy in I AM HERE – Photo courtesy of Michelle Tabnick PR and Cherry Orchard Festival
Here is a list of when and where I AM HERE will appear.
Friday, June 16, 2023 | 8:00 PM PHILADELPHIA, PA at The Theater at KleinLife Northeast Philadelphia | 10100 Jamison Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19116
Saturday, June 17, 2023 | 8:00 PM BOSTON, MA at The Cutler Majestic Theatre | 219 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116
Thursday, June 22, 2023 | 8:00 PM TORONTO, ON at the John Basset Theatre | 255 Front St W, Toronto, ON M5V 2W6
Friday, June 23, 2023 | 8:00 PM CHICAGO, IL at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts | 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, IL 60077
Saturday, June 24, 2023 | 8:00 PM NEW YORK, NY at The Town Hall | 123 W 43rd St, New York, NY 10036
Sunday, June 25, 2023 | 8:00 PM WASHINGTON, DC at the Lisner Auditorium | 730 21st St NW, Washington, DC 20052
Thursday, June 29, 2023 | 8:00 PM SEATTLE, WA at the Edmonds Center for the Arts | 410 4th Ave N, Edmonds, WA 98020
Friday, June 30, 2023 | 8:00 PM SAN FRANCISCO, CA at the Herbst Theater | 401 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94102
Saturday, July 01, 2023 | 8:00 PM LOS ANGELES, CA at the Wilshire Ebell Theater | 4401 W 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90005
For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit https://cherryorchardfestival.org/2023_i-am-here.
To purchase ticket from the Wilshire Ebell Theatre, please click HERE.
Written and compiled by Jeff Slayton for LA Dance Chronicle based on information provide by Michelle Tabnick Public Relations.
Featured image: Anatoly Beliy in I AM HERE – Photo by Asner Davidson
