Lev Grzhonko Interview
The lauded American Theatre of Actors has been presenting classics as well as diverse and innovative theatre for nearly half a century thanks to founder James Jennings. Their support of new artists is exceptional. From September 21st-30th they will present the riveting world premiere of An Artist in Purgatory:Baudelaire’s Passion. This piece brings an international cast including artists from Ukraine to this landmarked theatre. This exciting new work has choreography, an original score and even original artwork. Though this play is an international extravaganza about a French poet that will be performed in Russian, rest assured, there will be no language barrier. The performance will be presented with supertitles.
An Artist in Purgatory:Baudelaire’s Passion is a heavenly and devilishly good piece about 19th-century French poet Charles Baudelaire. The poor wordsmith is stuck in purgatory while Saint Peter and Satan duke it out for his soul. Will he be sitting on a cloud and playing the harp or will he be in dire need of an air conditioner? You’ll have to see the show to find out!
Luckily we didn’t have to sell our souls to get an interview with the actor playing Satan, Lev Grzhonko.
Mr. Grzhonko is a Harvard graduate with a head for figures and a heart in the arts. “I have always enjoyed arts but professionally I’ve been in trading, in investment, in startup development, I’ve been a founder of a new company and finally in acting in the last few years. Originally from Soviet Union, I spend last 30 years between San Francisco, New York, and Miami, lately only Miami and New York. I enjoy collecting antique books and manuscripts as well as paintings.
An actor’s creative process informs the character that they play. Mr. Grzhonko had a devil of a time creating a character who is so notorious. “I found it quite challenging. As I play satan, the questions becomes, who is he? Another humanlike person? personification of evil? Some form of deity? Perhaps something entirely different, especially in his juxtaposition to St. Peter who also has a role here.”
There is a lot going on in this piece. A fantasy about a real person. A powerful message and multi-culturalism. One might find a role like this more challenging than most. “Yes, it is more challenging because you take metaphysical and try to bring it to the stage so that it affects people who come and see. Imagine, a religious ritual, perhaps you can be taken by its beauty and mystery or power even if you are not at all religious. Here, similarly it is about a human being and his demons and his fears and his aspirations but also it is a take on our relations with invisible, with metaphysical, with life and death, and the choices we make. There is also a humanist message that shines through in the grand finale!”
If you look at all forms of media, there is a definite fascination with heaven and hell. Even our usage of idiomatic language is brimming with references to heaven and hell. The company of the show had some compelling things to say on the matter. “The Duality of our existence is so everpresent in everything that we naturally inclined towards splitting everything into life/death night/day good/bad lower/higher sin/virture pain/joy love/hate etc… and while it might seem simplistic it provided more than enough for humanity to chew on. Hence, Faustian dilemmas could still resonate. However, In Baudelaire’s Passion we are consciously looking and finding a sort of a third way away from the binds of the duality and we believe that those brave souls that search for it might find an answer or something to contemplate on in our solution to the heaven and hell choice.”
Mr. Grzhonko is hoping to expand the reach of this wonderful production as he continues to share his craft with the world. “We hope to continue our productions in the years to come, I personally would love to continue to participate in that magical ancient art that, sometimes has the ability to bring transcendence to both artists and the audience.”
The devil on your shoulder is telling you to go see An Artist in Purgatory:Baudelaire’s Passion! Limited VIP tickets available including a meet and greet with the cast, champagne and more!
An Artist in Purgatory:Baudelaire’s Passion
September 21-30
The John Cullum Theatre at The American Theatre of Actors
314 W. 54th Street
OUTER-STAGE 