Review: Zoyka’s Apartment (Bluebird Arts)

Doesn't translate or age well

Upon leaving the Athenaeum Theatre after seeing Zoyka's Apartment , I had one word on my mind: why? Why, exactly, was this production necessary or compelling to present at this very moment? I feel every dir3ector should ask this question before embarking upon a show, and the endless time and resources any show requires. I wish Bluebird Arts had examined its motives for Zoyka's Apartment a bit more closely. Despite an excellent lead performance and several strong supporting actors, as well as lovely costume design, the Russian play translated into English is clunky at best and racist at worst.

Billed as a "tragic farce," Zoyka's Apartment centers around Madame Zoyka (Katherine Schwartz), an intelligent and vivacious woman living in the post-Revolution Soviet Union. She's already resorted to bribing government official Aliluya ( Brian Hoolahan) and saying that her housemaid Manyushka (Janice Kulka) is her niece. However, more drastic measures are in order if Zoyka is to keep her glorious, spacious Moscow flat. Enterprising and practical as she is stylish, Zoyka converts her home into a dressmaker's shop, employing various friends and neighbors, including a rich woman fallen on hard times (Carly Carano) and the "Chinaman" ( Mike Movido) who keeps Zoyka's boyfriend Pavel ( David Edward Smith) on morphine. But how long can Zoyka continue this charade? She's getting to keep her home, for now, but at what cost?

According to the program notes, Zoyka's Apartment was written by Mikhail Bulgakov, who faced violent criticism in his lifetime and didn't become well-known outside of Moscow until after his death in 1940. Bluebird Arts, which touts itself as "Chicago's only English-Russian theater company," will present Zoyka's Apartment in its original Russian this May in Northbrook. Perhaps the Russian version will play out more successfully and effectively. Translated to English by Peter Christensen and Steppenwolf company member Yasen Peyankov, Zoyka's Apartment - meant to be a funny but sad story about a woman who just wants to survive - comes off as supremely dated. Some plays just don't age well, particularly those with ugly stereotypes of minorities. In this case, the two Chinese characters bumble around speaking pidgin English and committing unnecessary acts of violence - and what's worse, only one of these characters is played by an Asian actor. Understandably, this makes the production all the more difficult to watch.

does contain a few bright spots. Set and costume designer Rick Frederick displays a clear understanding of Zoyka's faded glory: every gown and piece of furniture is just a little threadbare, a little faded, ever so slightly off. A few performances captivate: Kulka is perfectly proper as Zoyka's doting maid, who finds herself in a love triangle of sorts, and both Smith and Doogin Brown (the latter as Zoyka's scheming cousin) embrace the farcical material with humor and grace. Sarah Franzel shows off impressive dance and physical theater skills as bombshell Madame Ivanova and both Millie Rose and Meghan Principe have funny moments as society ladies turned dress models. Schwartz is perfection in the title role: a true grande dame all too aware that her star is fading, but who will fight like hell to keep it in the sky just a little longer.

Zoyka's Apartment is a dubious classic that perhaps should have stayed in the vault. Female-driven plays about survivorship at any cost can and should be presented as often as possible, except when the script contains so many dated and problematic elements. Zoyka's Apartment could even pass as a scene study, or a college production. Just not as a part of Chicago professional theater.

Zoyka's Apartment continues through April 2nd at Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport (map), with performances Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays 2pm. Tickets are $18-$30, and are available by phone (773-935-6875) or online through OvationTix.com (check for half-price tickets at Goldstar.com ). More information at BluebirdArts.org. (Running time: 2 hours, includes an intermission. Note: This production is the English translation - a Russian production will run May 21-22 at Northbrook Theatre, 3323 Walters Ave. in Northbrook)

Katherine Schwartz (Zoya Denisovna Peltz), Janice Kulka (Manyushka), Brian Hoolahan (Anisim Zotikovich Aliluya), David Edward Smith (Pavel Fyodorovich Obolyaninov), Harrison Schneider (Gandzalin), Mike Movido (Cherubim), Doogin Brown (Alexander Tarasovich Ametistov), Meghan Principe (Lizanka), Ioana Manuela Rentea (Varvara Nikanorova), Millie Rose (Natalya Nikolaevna), Carly Carano (Alla Vadimovna), Rick Jensen (Goos Remonty), Sarah Franzel (Madame Ivanova), Joshua Butler (Mr. Robber), Sean Foer (Ivan Vassilyevich), Sean Murphy (Pestrukhin), Andrew J. McClelland (Vanyechka)

behind the scenes

Luda Lopatina Solomon (director), Jaimelyn Gray (assistant director, marketing and media), Carl Ulaszek (lighting design), (sound design), Sam Stryke (additional composition, piano performance), Rick Frederick (set design, costume design, photography), Kirk Anderson (fight choreographer), Katerina Levental (choreographer), Anna Lafontant (props design), Olga Kirsanova (marketing and media), Ellen Johnson (stage manager)

Tags: 16-0259, Andrew J. McClelland, Anna Lafontant, Athenaeum Theatre, Bluebird Arts, Brian Hoolahan, Carl Ulaszek, Carly Carano, Chicago Theater, David Edward Smith, Doogin Brown, Ellen Johnson, Harrison Schneider, Ioana Manuela Rentea, Jaimelyn Gray, Janice Kulka, Joshua Butler, Katerina Levental, Katherine Schwartz, Kirk Anderson, Lauren Whalen, Luda Lopatina Solomon, Luda Solomon, Meghan Principe, Mike Movido, Mikhail Bulgakov, Millie Rose, Olga Kirsanova, Peter Christiansen, post, Rick Frederick, Rick Jensen, Rick Sims, Sam Stryke, Sarah Franzel, Sean Foer, Sean Murphy, Yasen Peyankov