A brand-new musical from two of the creators of Do You Want What I Have Got? A Craigslist Cantata. Life is quiet on the Larin family’s Russian country estate—until the charismatic Evgeni Onegin (Alessandro Juliani) ignites the romantic longings of its residents. Poet Vladimir Lensky (Josh Epstein) dances with jealousy when Onegin flirts with his fiancée, Olga (Lauren Jackson), and even the reclusive Tatyana Larin (Meg Roe) finds herself falling for the handsome rogue. But will Onegin embrace real love or simply skim its surface? Through Amiel Gladstone and Veda Hille’s original, dynamic score, audiences are swept into a musical experience as immersive as love itself.
Co-writer and director Amiel Gladstone says, “After Craigslist Cantata— a play about disconnection— we wanted to do something about connection, something romantic. Onegin felt like the perfect piece to adapt for modern audiences because these characters’ missed opportunities show us what happens when we don’t embrace love when it comes to you.”
“I like to think of myself as a bit of a hard-ass,” adds co-writer and musical director Veda Hille. “I've spent a long time trying to be really precise and direct with my songs. But one gets sick of oneself, right? When we started writing Onegin, I was ready to dive into grand romance. This show has let me feel things I haven't felt in ages. Sprawling messy feelings that led to soaring melodies and hot dreams and some pretty fervent singing. We have a fantastic gang of players, and I can't wait to finally unleash these songs.”
Noting a misconception that Onegin is a play about the titular character, Gladstone notes, “Although the play is called Onegin, who is a true Romantic antihero, our real heroine is Tatyana Larin—a shy country girl who blossoms into a smart, beloved woman. Who better to play this part than Meg Roe?”
IN BRIEF Arts Club Theatre Company’s Onegin playing the Goldcorp Stage at the BMO Theatre Centre (162 West 1st Ave), March 17 – April 10, 2016. Tuesday–Thursday 7:30PM, Friday & Saturday 8 PM, Wednesday 1:30 PM, and Saturday & Sunday at 2 PM. Tickets start at $25, inclusive of taxes and fees. Call the Arts Club Box Office at 604.687.1644 or visit artsclub.com.