Ilia Volok’s returns to New York with his critically acclaimed, multi-award-winning one-man show, DIARY OF A MADMAN.

Gogol’s classic story, powerfully brought to life by film and TV notable, Ilia Volok, explores – in stunning detail – the fine line between dreams and delusions and the loneliness they create. Audiences around the world have watched as Volok became an everyman plummeting into insanity over this woman until – thinking he is now the King of Spain, Poprishchin’s only destination became an insane asylum.

Volok’s deeply moving journey as Poprishchin, a clerk enamored by his boss’ daughter – who doesn’t know he is alive – from simple desire to obsession and madness has been praised across the country and across the world. Volok presented his magnum opus at Dubai’s Junction Theater,Theatre de la Huchette in Paris France, In London England at the Brunel and Sands Studio Performance spaces, in Zurich Switzerland at the Kaufleuten performance center as  well as winning praise on the West Coast and “where it all began” in Ukraine-at Kiev’s Suzirya Theater&Stage 6 and at the Odessa Independent Theater  

Currently in New York to film a television series, Mr. Volok decided to use this as an opportunity to present this solo work where he first premiered it in NYC, at American Theatre of Actors, one of the last great theatres of the off-off Broadway movement.

Thur Nov 20, 8pm

Fri Nov 21, 8pm

Sat Nov 22, 8pm

Sun Nov 23, 3pm

Mon Nov 24, 8pm

TICKETS

“…A triumph of acting for Ilia Volok! … a performance of beauty and intensity. — Holli Harms Front Row Center Arts

“…Fervent and heartbreaking ingenuity of Ilia Volok’s performance… “ — Joanna Connolly, LTNY

“…Performed with consummate skill and precision by Ilia Volok. …tightrope act that comes off beautifully.” — Dorian Palumbo, DramaQueens Reviews

“Volok’s commitment to his character is unimpeachable. Every glance, movement, sound, word, laugh and cry of his severely troubled tale is rendered with palpable pain as well as the innocence of truth.” — Charles E. Gerber, Splash Magazine Worldwide

“…Makes Ilia Volok’s fevered and fascinating one-man turn as Poprishin…all the more remarkable.” “…Volok delineates the delirium with a fierce yet finely modulated intensity…” “…Engaging production…” “GO” — Bill Raden, LA Weekly

“…Diary of a Madman is a bold and unique actor’s showcase and a performance well worth attending…” “…The tour de force performance delivered by Volok…” “…Unwavering devotion to the character….”   “…Volok is gripping, endearing and steadfast in his role…” “…Diary of a Madman succeeds primarily due to Volok’s fully committed performance.” — Robert Lilly, LA Stage Happenings

“…Volok’s finely-tuned characterization is fueled by his workhorse energy.” — Vincent Smetana, Cinesnatch

“…Poprishin played masterfully by Ilia Volok..”   “…Volok gives a powerful and commanding performance that this reviewer will long remember” — Willard Manus, Total Theater

“For a single person showcase it doesn’t get any better than this!” — Rich Borowy, ACCESSIBLY LIVE OFF-LINE

“…Ilia Volok is amazing to watch…he is alternately graceful and awkward, balletic and clanky, whimsical and fearful.”  “…Ilia Volok and director Eugene Lazarev have brought blood, sweat and tears to this classic short  story…” — Cynthia Citron, LA Stage Times

“With demonic glint and flamboyant gestures, Volok certainly lives up to the title…” — Phillip Brandes, Los Angeles Times

“…An absolute must-see, with a performance by Volok that is so riveting that as his insanity escalates, he maintains a powerful core that never dissipates.””…This talented actor takes on the adaptation, written by Nikolai Gogol, with an intense range of emotions, both scary and, at times, surprisingly tender.” — Bonnie Priever, Examiner 

American Theatre of Actors, Inc. (ATA) was founded in 1976 by James Jennings to promote the development of new playwrights, directors and actors, and to provide them a creative atmosphere in which to work. The plays are dramas, comedies, and hybrids, dealing with the social and ethical problems of contemporary society. More than 12,000 actors have worked at ATA including Dennis Quaid, Bruce Willis, Dan Lauria, Chazz Palminteri, Danny Aielo, David Morse, Edie Falco and Kathryn Hahn. Our productions are sometimes grouped as ‘festivals,’ such as a Playwrights Festival or a Directors Festival. In 2016 we began an initiative to feature women in theatre as directors and playwrights, today this is our WIT! (Women in Theatre) program.