FIRST MÉTIS MAN OF ODESA
FIRST MÉTIS MAN OF ODESA
BY MATTHEW MACKENZIE & MARIYA KHOMUTOVA
DIRECTED BY LIANNA MAKUCH
“First Métis Man of Odesa is such compelling — and funny — storytelling. It’s charmingly performed, and exquisitely directed and produced.”
National Tour
National Arts Centre (Ottawa, ON) September 18-28, 2024 | Azrieli Studio
Soulpepper Theatre (Toronto, ON) May 8-19, 2024 | Baillie Theatre
Talk Is Free Theatre (Barrie, ON) February 22-March 2, 2024 | Five Points Theatre
Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre (Winnipeg, MB) November 1-18, 2023 | Warehouse Theatre
Persephone Theatre (Saskatoon, SK) October 11-29, 2023 | Mainstage Theatre
The Cultch (Vancouver, BC) May 25-June 4, 2023 | Historic Theatre
Citadel Theatre (Edmonton, AB) April 22-May 13, 2023 | Rice Theatre
The Theatre Centre (Toronto, ON) March 30-April 8, 2023 | Franco Boni Theatre
Western Canada Theatre (Kamloops, BC) March 16-25, 2023 | Pavilion Theatre
A LOVE STORY IN THE FACE OF A PANDEMIC AND AN INVASION.
Matt and Masha’s love spans continents, but distance can’t tame their passionate connection. After meeting on a theatre research trip in Kyiv, a Canadian Playwright and a Ukrainian artist spark up a romance that takes them from the beaches of the Black Sea to the banks of the North Saskatchewan River, through the onset of a global pandemic and the eruption of a brutal war, plus many moments of joy through it all including marriage and the birth of their son.
Winner of three Dora Mavor Moore Awards including Outstanding Production, Outstanding New Work, and Outstanding Direction. Based on actual events, this captivating real-life love story is set against the backdrop of the COVID pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Award-winning playwright Matthew MacKenzie joins forces with his wife, award-winning Ukrainian actress Mariya Khomutova, to tell the story of their COVID courtship and share an intimate perspective on the personal impacts of the war in Ukraine.
Written and Performed by: Matthew MacKenzie & Mariya Khomutova
Directed by: Lianna Makuch*
Production Designer: Daniela Masellis
Projection Designer: Amelia Scott
Composer: Daraba
Sound Designer: Aaron Macri
Design Consultant & Scenic Artist: Dawn Marie Marchand
Choreographer: Krista Lin
Dramaturg: Matt McGeachy
Beadwork: Maria Nelson & Krista Leddy
Stage Manager: Lore Green*
Tour Stage Manager: Amy Height*
Rehearsal Stage Manager: Kiidra Duhault
Production Manager & Technical Director: Trent Crosby
Associate Designer: Cameron Fraser
Producer: Andy Cohen
Producer: Sheiny Satanove
Associate Producer: Alyson Dicey
Head Scenic Painter: Emily Randall
Painters: Amy Powell & Ashley Hiibner
Drape Stitcher: Theatre Garage
Fabricators: art lab
*The participation of these Artists is arranged by permission of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association under the provisions of the Dance Opera Theatre Policy (DOT).
The Reviews are in…
“Tender, funny and truthful, this is one of the best shows of the year...[Khomutova’s] performance is clear, deeply felt and intelligent. She’s an exquisite actor. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ”
“First Métis Man of Odesa is such compelling — and funny — storytelling. It’s charmingly performed, and exquisitely directed and produced. I hope The Cultch and Punctuate! Theatre can find pull quotes in those two sentences to use in their advertising because I want to help as many people as possible to see this show.”
“...First Métis Man of Odesa, directed by Lianna Makuch, grabs the audience’s attention and keeps them on the edge of their seats...Balancing on the edge of art and reality, Canadian playwright Matthew MacKenzie and the Ukrainian artist Mariya Khomutova...bring to the stage the story of their love, mixed with the bitterness of the COVID pandemic, the pain of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the obstacles of long-distance relationships.”
“...a captivating swirl of comedy, romance, dreams and setbacks, the personal and the geo-political.”
“MacKenzie and Khomutova instantly charm the audience with their quick wit and obvious chemistry. ”
“First Métis Man of Odesa has become one of the most popular plays in Canadian history, finding love wherever it tours across the country.”
