U.S. Premiere of EUGENE ONEGIN Set for NY City Center, 5/29-6/1

Beginning in May, The Cherry Orchard Festival Foundation will hold its 2nd annual International Arts Festival in New York City. The Festival's mission is to introduce and promote global cultural activity and exchange of ideas, aiming to enlighten and engage audiences through performing and visual arts, educational programs and events. Tickets for each of the festival's shows are available at venue ticket box offices and at www.cherryorchardfestival.org. Group tickets, student discounts, VIP tickets and festival subscription packages are available by calling Festival's office at 1.800.349.0021 or e-mailing info@cherryorchardfestival.org.

The U.S. Premiere of Eugene Onegin by Vakhtangov State Academic Theatre of Russia, an original play with music based on Alexander Pushkin's "novel in verse", will play 4 performances at New York City Center (131 West 55th Street): May 29th at 8 PM, May 30th at 8pm, May 31st at 8pm and June 1st at 3pm. Tickets are $35-$135.

The Vakhtangov State Academic Theatre of Russia will bring a modern interpretation of Alexander Pushkin's most sincere and timeless work. World-renowned director Rimas Tuminas' theatrical adaptation of the work, recently recognized with Russia's most prestigious award, the Crystal Turandot, as the best production of the theatrical season, remains faithful to Pushkin's original text, providing an insight into the essence of the Russian soul. The play is classic Russian literature and will be performed in Russian with English subtitles. The U.S. tour is supported by the Ministry for Culture of the Russian Federation.

Rimas Tuminas is the recipient of the State Prize of the Russian Federation, Russian Festival of Performing Arts "Golden Mask" Award winner, International Stanislavsky Theatre Award winner, multiple Crystal Turandot Award winner, and Golden Nail Award winner. He has been the artistic director of the Vakhtangov State Academic Theatre of Russia since 2007, one of the oldest Moscow theatre companies founded by Eugene Vakhtangov, a student of Stanislavsky. In 2011, the theater was recognized as most visited theater in Moscow.

Eugene Onegin is as relevant today as it's been for almost two centuries with its enduring themes of condemnation, love, disillusionment, cynicism, compassion, and forgiveness. The Moscow Times raves, "A stunning, breathtaking, wise and humorous rethinking of Alexander Pushkin's great verse novel that gave us glimpses behind the scenes and between the lines," and The London Guardian cheers, "anyone who saw the Vakhtangov Theatre will know they are a first rate troupe." Showcasing 45 actors on stage and impressive set designs, featuring music by Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich, along with Russian and French folk songs, Eugene Onegin is a daring and stylish display of real masterpiece theater.