Leave it to Eric Schaeffer to vault established boundaries for Signature Theatre’s fifth world premiere of the season, “Brother Russia.” The rock musical about the mystical charlatan who refused to die features music by Dana Rowe with book and lyrics by John Dempsey, the team behind two earlier Signature hit musicals, “The Fix” and “The Witches of Eastwick.” The cast is headed by local favorites John Lescault, Natascia Diaz and Doug Kreeger.
As the story unfolds, a ragtag Russian repertory troupe raises tents in a Siberian potato field to entertain the local farmers with rock-infused performances of works by great Russian writers. Their manager, Brother Russia (Lescault), has long wanted to tell the story of Rasputin, the crazed adviser to the Tsar and Tsarina who survived being shot, poisoned and tossed into the river. The opening number, “Brother Russia Presents,” introduces the troupe and its repertoire of works by Russian writers.
“This show is so much more than humor and history,” Lescault said. “It’s a struggle with death and is about survival and immortality. John Dempsey wrote the lyrics after watching a Russian woman aged 94 on her way to the grocery story. Every cast member sings except me. I’ve never appeared in a musical, so this is my first time. Consequently, I speak-sing. Doug Kreeger, who plays a younger Brother Russia, actually does sing.”
| Onstage |
| ‘Brother Russia’ |
| Where: Signature Theatre |
| When: Through April 15 |
| Info: 703-573-SEAT; for ticket prices, visit signature-theatre.org |
“We’re developing it as we go,” Diaz said. “Before we got together on February 7, the script was never read by actors. It’s unheard of to create a premiere this complex without first doing one or two workshops. Eric is going from writer to stage; this is his testament to the writers and everyone involved. He’s amazing in the way he envisions the characters as part of a rep company, knows what they do and encourages us all to fit them into the complex plot.
“It’s bold, it’s brash, just filled with humor and tragedy. Eric’s unafraid to go wherever it takes us. The plot has shades of other great classic musicals like ‘Pippin’ and ‘Man of La Mancha,’ We are witnessing the wedding of magic in front of our eyes. The team members are like conjurers.”
As the tale progresses, it is revealed that Brother Russia had hidden reasons for including Sophia (Diaz) in the troupe. She, like the other characters, has a back story that will be revealed as the play progresses. We know only that she is a Romany Gypsy the troupe has picked up in a marketplace where she was seen stealing something.
Why does each character have two roles? And what is their commonality? The mystery of Sophia’s presence and that of the others will be revealed in due time. Although much of the plot and the characters are infused with mystery, there is no question about the location being present-day Russia, thanks to the award-winning design from set designer Misha Kachman, choreographer Jodi Moccia, costumer Kathleen Geldard and music director Gabriel Mangiante.
Schaeffer has drawn together Signature veterans to inhabit the cryptic story. Lescault, most recently seen in the theater’s productions of “Art,” “The Lieutenant of Inishmore,” “Crave” and “Angels in America,” says theater has been his calling from childhood, something he knew he had to do. Kreeger (Sasha/Grigori) has sung his way from Broadway (“Les Miserables”) to international tours (“Grease” and “Hair”) and picked up awards and nominations along the way. Diaz (Sophia/Anastasia), who learned her craft from her opera singer father and ballerina mother, starred in “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” for which she received a 2009 Helen Hayes nomination, and appeared as Antonia in the original revival cast of “Man of La Mancha” on Broadway.
Meanwhile, the musical stylings of Rowe take the audience on a journey. Diaz promises, “The audience will become caught up in the story and action and will leave the theater humming beautiful tunes.”
