Dancing on the edge
Written by Adam Kraar, Directed by Vladimir Rovinsky
an exploration of the tumultuous relationship between American modern dance pioneer Isadora Duncan and her lover, Russian poet Sergei Esenin.
Presented at the Southern Theater, developed in partnership with The Playwrights Center.
Theatre Novi Most returned to the Southern Theater with the world premiere of a new play, Dancing on the Edge, about American modern dance pioneer Isadora Duncan and her lover, the Russian poet Sergei Esenin. Both a poetic examination of Russian/American relations and a look at two remarkable historical figures, Dancing on the Edge begins with Duncan and Esenin’s first meeting in 1921 in Russia and through a mix of realism and fantasy, explores their stormy relationship, marriage, and disastrous tour of the US and Europe. The play is an unflinching look at a cross-cultural and complex couple who rode through the tumultuous birth of the USSR together with shared passion but no common spoken language. The play includes text in both Russian and English and has embedded within it several of Duncan’s dances and Esenin’s poems. Dancing on the Edge is written by Adam Kraar and was commissioned by Theatre Novi Most. It has been in development since 2011. Dancing on the Edge was presented as part of The Southern Theater’s ARTshare program and included a team of local and national talent.
The premiere of Dancing on the Edge was possible thanks to the support of the Playwrights’ Center, the Isadora Duncan International Institute, the University of Minnesota, the Talle Family Fund, The Fulbright Foundation, The St Petersburg Academy of Theatre Arts Russia, the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, and our supporters. Past workshops of the play were supported by The Playwrights’ Center, the 92nd Street Y in Manhattan and the Unison Arts Center in New Paltz, NY.
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Lisa Channer — Isadora Duncan
Sasha Andreev — Sergei Esenin
Katya Stepanov — Ensemble
Sergey Nagorny — Ensemble
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Vladimir Rovinsky — Director
Jeanne Bresciani (Artistic Director of the Isadora Duncan International Institute) — Duncan Consultant/Primary Choreographer
Michael Burden — scenic designer
Maxwell Collyard — projection designer
Dan Dukich — sound designer
Heidi Eckwall — lighting designer
Deb Ervin — stage manager
Andrea Gross — costume designer
Zeb Hults — technical director
Elizabeth Larsen — assistant stage manager/properties
Sharon Picasso — movement consultant/choreographer
Wendy Weckwerth — dramaturg
Lisa Cole and Natalie Dess — run crew
Photos by Dan Norman. Video by Bill Prouty.
In the Press
“Director Vladimir Rovinsky staged Dancing on the Edge as if the entire play were a dance, gracefully shifting among scenes… Jeanne Bresciani recreated the essence of Duncan's unique choreography, capturing its rapturous joy, as well as delving into the soul's anguish... In its staging and performance, it is a stunning work.”
“there comes a time where words can’t speak on their own and something more is needed. Through Duncan’s movement and the emotional honesty in this piece, something far greater is created.”
"Even if one had no knowledge of Duncan, Esenin, or anyone else mentioned in the play, the production managed to hook all those in attendance with it’s aesthetically simplistic set, mesmerizing dance sequences and a story filled with humor, romance and emotion."
“a fascinating story about two fascinating people, their art, and their turbulent relationship. Dancing on the Edge is an intense and lovely play filled with movement and poetry.”
“The lighting is absolutely gorgeous, leaving the stage awash in a warm effervescent glow that is perfected with twinkling, dangling lights from the ceiling … that really feels like you're stepping back 100 years.”
