Photo by: Amitava Sarkar
Based on the novel by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Adapted and Directed by Scott Kanoff
Performances: February 27*, 28 & March 5, 6, 7 at 8:00 PM
March 1, 7, 8 at 2:00 PM
Oscar G. Brockett Theatre
Tickets: $20 adults, $17 UT faculty & staff, $15 students available online at www.utpac.org or by phone at 477–6060.
* Join us February 27th for an Opening Night Reception immediately following the performance. Guests will be able to mingle with the cast, crew, and director of The Idiot while enjoying an assortment of light snacks and desserts.
Media and Resources:
Synopsis: This is a new stage adaptation of one of Dostoevsky's most complex and enigmatic novels, in which the author attempted to depict a "completely beautiful individual." It is late 1867, and Prince Lev Nikolayevich Myshkin, the penniless last member of an ancient family, returns home to Russia after many years at a Swiss clinic, where he was treated for severe epilepsy. At first considered a fool, the awkward, naive Myshkin gradually charms all who meet him. Determined to "do good," the prince's innocent idealism enmeshes him in the social, financial and romantic intrigues of a corrupt society whose motives he misconstrues. The events he sets in motion lead to consequences that no one, least of all the prince himself, could have envisioned.
Author: Fyodor Dostoevsky
Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821 - 1881) is the author of Crime and Punishment, The Brothers Karamazov, and The Idiot, among other novels and publications. Throughout his life, Dostoevsky struggled with epilepsy, a gambling problem, and governmental interference with his writing, which was viewed as subversive. In 1849, he was arrested for his participation in the Petrashevsky Affair, which was a gathering of intellectuals who supported political and social reform, including the emancipation of Russia's 20 million serfs. The leaders of the Petrashevsky Affair (including Dostoevsky) were sentenced to death by firing squad; they were granted reprieve a mere 20 minutes before the execution was scheduled to occur, and were sentenced instead to hard labor in Omsk (Siberia). It was here that Dostoevsky's fervent patriotism and religious faith (Russian Orthodox) crystallized. While in Siberia, Dostoevsky read Hegel's The History of Philosophy, and many of the ideas he explores in his writing directly critique Hegel's manifesto. Although it is unlikely Dostoevsky had any familiarity with Friedrich Nietzsche, Nietzsche has said, "Dostoevsky is the only psychologist from whom I have anything to learn." Dostoevsky's ideas established the foundation for the Existentialist movement that would occur later in Europe.
Director: Scott Kanoff
A director, dramaturg and producer with a special interest in new work, Scott has taught at UT since 2003. His courses have included graduate and undergraduate directing, advanced acting, acting Shakespeare, and a popular audition workshop.
From 2000–2005, Scott was producing artistic director of Austin's State Theater Company, where he staged a range of classic and contemporary plays, including Nickel and Dimed, Mrs. Warren's Profession (with UT's Franchelle S. Dorn), The Tempest, Dinner With Friends, The Little Prince: the Musical, Be Aggressive, Eric Coble's Virtual Devotion and others. He also produced an acclaimed series of premieres by Austin playwrights, including Steven Tomlinson (American Fiesta); Greater Tuna's Jaston Williams (I'm Not Lying); and Michener Center writers John S. Walch (The Dinosaur Within) and Steve Moore (Nightswim). This year he also developed and staged Mr. Williams's Cowboy Noises at The Paramount Theatre.
Cast:
- Tom Truss as Prince Lev Nikolaevich Myshkin
- Michael Sullivan as Parfyon Rogozhin, a merchant
- Pierce Purselly as Lebedev, a peddler of information
- Harrison Butler as Gavrila Ivolgin, secretary to General Yepanchin
- Brian C. Fahey as General Ivan Fyodorovich Yepanchin, a government official
- Lesley Gurule as Lizaveta Prokofyevna Yepanchin, his wife
- Kate deBuys as Aglaya Ivanova Yepanchin, their elder daughter
- Xochitl Romero as Adelaida Ivanova Yepanchin, their younger daughter
- La Tasha Stephens as Nina Alexandrovna Ivolgin, Ganya's mother
- Melissa Recalde as Varya Ivolgin, Ganya's sister
- Julian Esteban Castillo as Ivan Ptitsyn, a young money lender, Varya’s fiancé.
- Hunter Smith as General Ardalyon Ivolgin, Ganya’s father, a former officer.
- Smaranda Ciceu as Nastasya Filippovna Barashkova
- Nick Spain as Afanasy Totsky, her benefactor
- Ariel Livingston as Katya, her maid
- Davina Ugochukwu as Darya Alexeevna, her friend
- Hunter Smith as Prince Alexei Sholokhov, Adelaida’s fiancé
- Rodney Richardson as Yevgeny Pavlovich Radomsky, suitor to Aglaya
- Julian Esteban Castillo as General Petrovich, friend of the Yepanchins
- Tommy Britt as Sergei, a footman
- Jonathan Cook as A Happy Man/Ambassador Semyonov
- Michelle Cooper as An Exuberant German Woman
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