Children of the Sun
by Maxim Gorky adapted by Andrew Upton directed by Megan Bellwoar Honorary Producers: Linda & David Glickstein
Artistic Producers: Gayle & David Smith Artistic Co-Producer: Rebecca Bradbeer PAC presents a Philadelphia premiere of Andrew Upton's lively adaptation.
Pavel Protasov’s scientific experiments leave him oblivious to his surroundings -- namely his wife Yelena’s needs and the widow Melaniya’s adoration. Liza’s physical frailty and emotional sensitivity prevent her from embracing the love of Boris, the local veterinarian. Yelena’s sense of neglect in her marriage leaves her open to attention from the artist Dimitri. Set on the cusp of a cholera epidemic, Gorky’s darkly comedic tale explores a family struggling with a tangled present and conflicting ideas of the future. Sharply resonant and deeply moving. ----- "Enthralling, utterly chilling ..." "In the small black box of the Bluver, where the boundary between audience and actor can feel porous, [...] the last 20 minutes [are] absolutely riveting, even terrifying." "Children of the Sun has one of the most electrifying ensemble casts I've ever seen. A perfect production of a play that should be more well-known." "I can't remember the last time I felt more alive in a theatre! The direction is brilliant." |
PRODUCTION TEAM:
Director: Megan Bellwoar Stage Manager: Eilis Skamarakas, Kat Kelly Assistant Stage Manager: M. Rayne Smith Production Manager: Hunter Smith Set Designer: Meghan Jones Lighting Designer: Tydell Williams Sound Designer: Christopher Colucci Props Design: Eliot Curtis Costume Design: Robin Shane Technical Director: James Mobley Fight Director: Eli Lynn Intimacy Director: K. O’Rourke Audio Engineer: John Kolbinksi Master Electrician: Aidan Pells Overhire Electricians: Dallina Garro-Montanez, Emile Wong Overhire Carpenter: Matthew Tepfer Scenic Painter: Annemarie Branco Scenic Painting Assistance: Kayce Dygert |
CAST:
PAVEL PROTASOV - Newton Buchanan YELENA - Jessica DalCanton LIZA - Cassandra Alexander BORIS - Damon Bonetti* MELANIYA - Madeleine Claire Garcia DIMITRI VAGEEN - Eli Lynn NANNY/AVDOTYA - Peggy Smith NAZAR/YAKOV - Eric Mills YEGOR/DOCTOR - Bob Weick ROMAN/MISHA - Frank Jimenez FEEMA/LOOSHA - Kelsey Hébert |
ACCESSIBILITY INFO The Bluver Theatre is wheelchair accessible. There are gender-neutral public restrooms available in the lobby. For more information on transportation to The Drake, see InterAct's website here. |
Protasov: ...you know what I am doing? Really doing? I am uncovering the secret of life. Just one among many. And there are others - still to come - who will master this great knowledge. Having mastered it, sickness, poverty, conflict, all these will be slowly eradicated…
Liza: But at what daily, hourly, soul-destroying, inhuman, crushing cost? |
Privilege is at the center of Pavel Protasov’s world, though he has no notion of it. He has a choice unavailable to most of the people around him: the choice to work, and to choose the kind of work he wants to do. Money is a necessary annoyance, food and shelter are a given, family support is assumed, and reassurance is expected and received. He believes - and the people in his life understand - that he has a purpose: to discover the miracles of the universe through the lens of his microscope. Who can argue with this progressive vision?
But Pavel’s microscope limits his ability to see in catastrophic ways. The lives that he dismisses as “petty” are filled with challenges that he actually creates in his single-minded pursuit of Truth. So when his good intentions wind up paving the sulfurous road to hell, he is presented with a new choice: to project blame onto others, or to open up his vision and accept his own culpability. Playwright Maxim Gorky was no Pavel Protasov. His own world view was more closely aligned to that of Liza, Pavel’s prophetic and emotionally fragile sister. Gorky wrote CHILDREN OF THE SUN while imprisoned for his involvement in the opposition movement at the start of the Russian Revolution of 1905, and his disgust for the detached bourgeois intelligentsia is palpable in the play. Understandable, considering he grew up in circumstances similar to those of the play’s brutal blacksmith Yegor rather than the posh advantages enjoyed by the artist Dimitri. I’ve been thinking about what parts of Pavel live in me. I’m an educated progressive. My news comes from balanced sources, I donate to causes that make a difference, I question my biases daily, I vote my values. And yet, like well-intentioned progressives throughout history, I am very sure that I mindlessly engage in practices the next generation will view with horror.
I think Gorky asks big questions of us through this play: How do we address our own myopia? What does it mean to do the hard work of engagement with the challenges of our time - especially if we’ve created or participated in them? And when those challenges arrive at our doorstep, do we lock the doors and go back to our microscopes? Or open up the gate to invite them into the house for the conversation that needs to be had - and the collective work that needs to be done?
- Megan Bellwoar, Director
But Pavel’s microscope limits his ability to see in catastrophic ways. The lives that he dismisses as “petty” are filled with challenges that he actually creates in his single-minded pursuit of Truth. So when his good intentions wind up paving the sulfurous road to hell, he is presented with a new choice: to project blame onto others, or to open up his vision and accept his own culpability. Playwright Maxim Gorky was no Pavel Protasov. His own world view was more closely aligned to that of Liza, Pavel’s prophetic and emotionally fragile sister. Gorky wrote CHILDREN OF THE SUN while imprisoned for his involvement in the opposition movement at the start of the Russian Revolution of 1905, and his disgust for the detached bourgeois intelligentsia is palpable in the play. Understandable, considering he grew up in circumstances similar to those of the play’s brutal blacksmith Yegor rather than the posh advantages enjoyed by the artist Dimitri. I’ve been thinking about what parts of Pavel live in me. I’m an educated progressive. My news comes from balanced sources, I donate to causes that make a difference, I question my biases daily, I vote my values. And yet, like well-intentioned progressives throughout history, I am very sure that I mindlessly engage in practices the next generation will view with horror.
I think Gorky asks big questions of us through this play: How do we address our own myopia? What does it mean to do the hard work of engagement with the challenges of our time - especially if we’ve created or participated in them? And when those challenges arrive at our doorstep, do we lock the doors and go back to our microscopes? Or open up the gate to invite them into the house for the conversation that needs to be had - and the collective work that needs to be done?
- Megan Bellwoar, Director
Newton Buchanan - PAVEL
(he/him) This is Newton's PAC debut! Regional: Collin’s, RENT, Othello, Othello, Dr. Madden, Next to Normal (New Light Theatre); Fleshlumpeater, BFG (Arden Theatre Co.); One Man, Two Guvnors, HONK! (Delaware Theatre Company); Twelfth Night: O Lo Que Quieras, Romeo and Juliet, The Merry Wives of Windsor, The Merchant of Venice (Delaware Shakespeare); Cry It Out (Simpatico); Cymbeline (Revolution Shakespeare); A Streetcar Named Desire (Deep Blue Theatre); Noises Off (Curio Theatre Company); By The Way, Meet Vera Stark (Second Stage Theatre). Film/Television: Actor/Reporter in Mare Of Eastown (HBO). Instagram: @newtron_bomb. |
Jessica DalCanton - YELENA
(she/her) Jessica was least seen as Silvia in PAC’S Changes of Heart. National credits include: Passage, Hedgerow, Act 2, InterAct, The Covina Center, Maples Repertory, Dallas Theatre Center, Quintessence, Simpatico, Theatre Arlington, and others. TV/Film: Sprout, QVC and various commercials. Jessica's proudest role is that of Assistant Professor of Theatre at Montgomery County Community College where she teaches acting and recently directed The Pillowman .Thanks and Love to everyone who made this show possible - especially Liam. |
Cassandra Alexander - LIZA
(she/her) Cassandra (Cassie) Alexander is a Barrymore-Nominated actor and a proud member of PAC. Her acting credits include performances with PAC, Delaware Shakespeare, Revolution Shakespeare, Tiny Dynamite, Alterra Productions, Philadelphia Women’s Theatre Festival, and many more. Favorite credits include Imogen (CYMBELINE), Child Jane/Adele (JANE EYRE), Rosalind (AS YOU LIKE IT), Woman (TALK TO ME LIKE THE RAIN), and Puck (A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM). She holds degrees in Theatre & Drama and Arts Management from Indiana University, although her love of classical theatre blossomed while studying abroad at Shakespeare's Globe in London. During that trip, eleven summers ago, she first encountered CHILDREN OF THE SUN, and dared to dream that she might one day tell this story. What a joy to manifest a long-held dream with this incredible team of artists and collaborators! Next up: Hermione/Autolycus in The Winter’s Tale for Delaware Shakespeare’s 2024 Community Tour. |
Damon Bonetti - BORIS
(he/him) DAMON BONETTI is a Philly based actor, director, musician, professor and the Producing Artistic Director of The PAC. As director: QvK, The Sea Plays, Changes of Heart, Blood Wedding (co-production with MPiRP at Drexel) He Who Gets Slapped and The White Devil. As an actor for The PAC: The Duchess of Malfi, Creditors, All’s Well That Ends Well and Maria Marten. He received a Barrymore Nomination for Outstanding Director for True Story at Passage Theater. Recent acting: Driving Miss Daisy (East Lynne Theater), Twelfth Night (Lantern Theater) A Few Good Men, (Bristol Riverside Theatre), The 39 Steps (Montgomery Theater - also director) The Best Man (Walnut Street Theatre), The Hound of the Baskervilles (Delaware Theater Company and Theatre Horizon) Damon earned his MFA at the FSU/Asolo Conservatory. www.damonbonetti.net |
Madeleine Claire Garcia - MELANIYA
(she/they) Madeleine is thrilled to be back with the PAC! Recent stage credits include: A Christmas Carol (People’s Light), Citrus Andronicus, Jane Eyre (PAC). Film: Brave The Dark (Damien Harris, 2024), 825 Forest Road (Stephen Cognetti, 2024) Madeleine has also participated in a number of readings and workshops throughout the Philly Theater and film community. They are currently an adjunct professor at Temple University and are on a full time mission to get the biggest biceps on the east coast. Love to Evan, the Schaeffer fam, Ana, Mom & PRIM! |
Eli Lynn - DIMITRI VAGEEN
(they/them) Eli is a trans nonbinary actor and Artistic Associate at the PAC. Regional credits include: Big Al (Fun Home, New Light Theatre), Hal (Henry IV: Pt 2), Jess (Complete Works ... Abridged) and Flute/Thisby (Midsummer Night’s Dream, PA Shakespeare Festival), Orsino/Toby (Twelfth Night) and Jean 3/Prince (Thrive, American Shakespeare Center), Aramis (The Three Musketeers, Cleveland Playhouse), Trevor (TPTGW, 1812 Productions), Dorcus/Dion (The Winter’s Tale, Folger Theatre), Danny/Diana (Sensitive Guys, InterAct), Flask (Moby Dick, Hedgerow). With the PAC, they recently wrote and appeared in Citrus Andronicus, as well as writing QvK and appearing as Raymond in The Sea Voyage. They are also a certified Intimacy Director and Barrymore-nominated fight choreographer whose fight/intimacy work has been seen at theatres including PA Shakespeare Festival, The Wilma, The Arden, People’s Light, Playwrights Horizons (NYC), and PAC. Love always to Vanessa. SDG. www.Eli-Lynn.com |
Bob Weick - YEGOR
(he/him) Bob is thrilled to be back at work with the PAC! He is. the International touring actor of Howard Zinn's MARX IN SOHO, directed by John Doyle , under the RADICAL ACTS division of Iron Age Theatre. A three time Barrymore Award nominee with Iron Age Theatre (TERRA NOVA), Theatre Horizon (CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION), and New Light Theatre ( A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE) Bob has also performed locally with Delaware Shakespeare, Commonwealth Classic Theatre Company, Curio Theatre, Eagle Theatre, Theatre XP, Philadelphia Artists Collective, Theatre in the X. “ We all have a role to play in the struggle;left for peace and justice. Play your part.” |
Peggy Smith - NANNY / AVDOTYA
(she/her) Previously with PAC, Iphigenia at Aulis. The Cripple of Inishmaan ( Mammy, Curio Theatre), Wenceslas Square (The Women, Walnut Street Theatre), Our Town (Mrs Soames, Delaware Theatre Co), Long Day's Journey Into Night (Mary Tyrone, Simpatico Theatre), The Tempest (Gonzala, Commonwealth Classic Theatre), Tartuffe (Madame Pernelle, Commonwealth and Mt. Gretna Playhouse), The Steward of Christendom (Mrs. O'Dea, Irish Heritage Theatre), The New Century (Barbara Ellen Diggs, Quince Productions). Peggy served 13 years as a Barrymore judge/nominator/voter, and is a trained theater Audio Describer for the Blind. Many thanks to Greg and our work team for their assistance, and most especially to my exceedingly supportive manager, Anthony. I am a lucky woman. Never forever... |
Eric Mills - NAZAR / YAKOV
(he/him) Eric Mills is thrilled to be back at PAC. He has worked as an actor with many local and regional theaters and in the distant past played frog/lead boyband singer on Bill Nye the Science Guy. He recently directed Shakespear’s Playground for DelShakes and teaches theater around the region. He is a member of Delaware Shakespeare’s Artistic Squad and is the obnoxiously proud papa of Milo and Henry. Follow IG @eric_s_mills, or fb @eric mills and you’ll see what we mean. |
Frank Jimenez - ROMAN / MISHA
(he/him) Frank is a bilingual actor, screenwriter, and director. Originally from New Jersey, Frank’s ambitions have led him to Los Angeles and Philadelphia, gathering years of training in Theatre and Film work. He is a Graduate from The University of The Arts with a BFA in Acting. His recent stage credits include, world premiere of Overwinter (Azuka Theatre), Understudy in Red Riding Hood (Arden Theatre), The Glass Menagerie (Arden Theatre), 72 Miles to Go (Interact Theatre), This Is The Week That Is (1812 Productions), Understudy in Backing Track (The Arden), Oedipus el Rey (Teatro Del Sol), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (DelShakes), Bob: A Life In Five Acts (Azuka Theatre), and The Rose Garden (FringArts Festival). |
Kelsey Hébert - FEEMA / LOOSHA
(she/her) Kelsey is thrilled to be making her PAC debut! She is a theater artist from Abita Springs, Louisiana who joined the Philly community after graduating with a BFA in performance from the University of Southern Mississippi. Kelsey is a co-founder of SideQuest Theater and performs with multiple improv ensembles including ComedySportz Philadelphia, Roll Play: An Improvised Adventure, and KDM. Other favorite credits include Annelle in Steel Magnolias (Act II Playhouse) and u/s Heidi in What the Constitution Means to Me (Arden Theatre Co.) As always, for Wesley. |
Megan Bellwoar - Director
(she/her) Megan has been a grateful member of the Philadelphia theatre community for 30+ years. Recent directing projects: THE FANTASTICKS (Quintessence Theatre Group), KISS ME, KATE (West Chester University), A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE (New Light Theatre, 2023 Barrymore nomination/Outstanding Direction of a Play), STEEL MAGNOLIAS (Act II Playhouse), THE PILLOWMAN (Hedgerow Theatre). Acting credits include Arden Theatre Company, the Lantern, Walnut Street Theatre, Inis Nua, DTC, 1812 Productions, PA Shakespeare Festival and People's Light. Media/Barrymore acting nominations for CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF (Arden), COLLECTED STORIES (WST), THE WEIR (Arden), and BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE (Lantern). Great big thanks to Damon and all the folks here at The PAC, and love to M, W, J & Mom. www.megan.bellwoar.com |
Kat Kelly - Stage Manager
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Eilis Skamarakas - Stage Manager
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M. Rayne Smith - Assistant Stage Manager
(they/them) M. Rayne Smith is a multidisciplinary theatre artist whose work consists of finding beauty in the mundanity and fantasticals of life through a queer autistic lens. Rayne grew up in Dallas, Texas and is a recent graduate from The University Of The Arts. Most recently they were an ASM apprentice with New Light on their production of Fun Home. Some of Rayne’s other favorite credits include writing their thesis The Bullet In The Brain, Co-Directing and writing Wanting, Only To You, The Future, Mel/Ensemble in Hot/Cold Shower, and stage managing The Sweet Hereafter for the Polyphone new musical festival. When not doing theatre, Rayne can be seen fervently baking french croissants and loving on their pet cat Toby. Rayne dedicates this show and every show to the little man himself, Tobias. |
Hunter Smith - Production Manager
(he/him) Hunter is a Philadelphia based Stage Manager, Production Manager, Props Master, and all around theater lover who specializes in new theatrical works. Hunter graduated from Rutgers University in 2019 with concentrations in Stage Management and Light Design. He is currently the resident Production Stage Manager at InterAct Theater. Previous production stage management credits are from Azuka Theatre, Passage Theatre Company, Three Oaks Opera, Wolf Performing Arts Center, 24 Hour Plays, Philadelphia Artist Collective, South Camden Theater Company, and the Woodstock Playhouse (50th Anniversary of the Woodstock Concert). Previous production management credits come from Philadelphia Artist Collective, Three Oaks Opera, and Rutgers University. Hunter works partly as an Assistant Stage Manager for Opera Philadelphia and as a Freelance Production Manager for Ensemble Arts. When not working in the arts, he works as the Activities Director of Four Seasons Campground in Pilesgrove, New Jersey. |
Meghan Jones - Set Designer
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Tydell Williams - Lighting Designer
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Christopher Colucci - Sound Designer
(he/him) Recent work: The Lehman Trilogy (Arden Theater); The Last Yiddish Speaker (InterAct); Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (Walnut Street Theater); Crumbs from the Table of Joy and Tartuffe (Lantern Theater Company); Noises Off (Delaware Theater Company), The Flatlanders (1812 Productions) and Camp Siegfried (Theatre Exile). Next, and finally for season '23-'24 - The Comedy of Errors (Lantern). 2016 Pew Fellowship in the Arts; 8 Barrymore Awards for Outstanding Original Music and Sound Design; Independence Fellowship in the Arts (2012, 2019); MA in Philosophy from Western Kentucky University. BA in Philosophy/Theology from Eastern University. Soundcloud (https://soundcloud.com/cmsound); YouTube (https://tinyurl.com/yd89tm64) ; Instagram @christopherm_colucci. |
Eliot Curtis - Props Designer
(they/them) Eliot Curtis is thrilled to be making their debut with Philadelphia Artists’ Collective! Most recently, they have worked as the assistant props master for Azuka Theatre’s Overwinter. They have also worked as the scenic painter at Ursinus College for Peter Darling and Everybody, and at Act II Playhouse for It’s Only A Play, Christmas in the Catskills, and Tea for Three. Eliot is a recent graduate of Temple University and is excited to be joining the Philadelphia theater community! More of their work can be found at eliotcurtis.com. |
Robin Shane - Costume Designer
(she/her) Robin is thrilled to be back working with Megan and PAC and this fantastic group of humans! Previous PAC productions include Mary Rose, The Captive, and Iphigenia at Aulis. Recent professional productions include The Pillowman and In The Next Room, or, The Vibrator Play at the Hedgerow Theatre in Media, PA and Clean Slate and OK Trenton at the Passage Theatre in Trenton, NJ. Robin he has designed costumes regionally and nationally at such varied theatre as The New Victory Theatre, Berkeley Rep, The Yale Rep, The Hedgerow, Theatre Exile, EgoPo, Shakespeare Theater of NJ, The National Constitution Center, The Revision Theater, the Jean Cocteau Repertory Theater, Soho Rep and The Harrisburg Opera. Robin is and Associate Professor of Design at Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ and holds a MFA from the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU and a BA in Theater and Psychology from Wesleyan University. |
James Mobley - Technical Director
(he/him) James has been technical director and resident designer for the Rutgers theater program since 1993. Prior to coming to Rutgers, Jim worked professionally in various venues, including the Des Moines Metro Opera, U.C. Berkeley Repertory Theater, The Kansas City Lyric Opera, The Missouri Repertory Theater, Lakeview Theater Company, Greystone Productions of West Virginia, and Circle Repertory Theater (off Broadway, NYC). He received a B.S. in Technical Theater and Design from Northwest Missouri State University and an M.F.A. in scenic design from West Virginia University. His interest in theater began while he was in high school, where he was the first student scenic designer to design a main stage production (God’s Favorite) and was also a member of The International Thespian Society, Troupe 3289. |
K. O'Rourke - Intimacy Director
(she/they) Loves being back with PAC! Bicoastal actor, movement director, educator. AEA, SAG-AFTRA. Assistant Professor of Theatre, DeSales University. Recent theater: Cabaret (Bristol Riverside), Dot (People’s Light). RecentTV: FBI (CBS), #MiniMocks (Comedy Central). Recent Film: Dark State. Research/Studies: Intimacy and consent for stage and screen, movement for the actor, trauma-informed teaching artistry. Russian language learner with a personal goal to dive into the languages of Irish and Ukrainian (family lineages). Certified Ashtanga-based vinyasa flow yoga instructor. Barrymore nominations for Best Featured Performance: Detroit (Philadelphia Theater Company), Taming of the Shrew (Lantern). Barrymore nominations for Outstanding Choreography: Emma (Lantern) It Girl (Simpatico), Anna (EgoPo), Jane Erye (Philadelphia Artists Collective). Director of Programming for Dancing With The Students, a nonprofit ballroom dance organization for children in Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Camden. Next Up: Movement Direction for Lovesong (Inis Nua) & performing in The Ramayana (EgoPo Classic Theater, Kalanari Theatre Movement, Papermoon Puppet Theatre). Education: MA (Villanova), MFA (Temple University). Erin go bragh! Слава Україні! @kokoactor |
Eli Lynn - Fight Director
(they/them) Eli is an actor, Barrymore Nominated fight director, and Intimacy Director. Recent Fight credits: The Play That Goes Wrong (1812, Barrymore Nomination – Outstanding Choreo), Noises Off (DTC), Sense & Sensibility (PA Shakespeare Festival), Head Over Heels (Theatre Horizon), Shakespeare’s R&J (New Light Theatre), Shakespeare in Love (People’s Light), ‘Tis Pity She’s A Whore (Barrymore Nomination – Outstanding Choreo), The Sea Voyage (PAC). They have studied stage combat for 15 years, and are recognized as an Advanced Actor Combatant with five international organizations. See their actor bio for more. |