ENSEMBLE THEATRE COMPANY
Announces a change to its 2024/2025 Season with
The World Premiere Tour of
RACHMANINOFF AND THE TSAR
Written and Designed by Hershey Felder
Directed by Trevor Hay
Performances begin Thursday, April 3
at The New Vic Theatre in Santa Barbara!
September 6, 2024…Santa Barbara, Calif… Ensemble Theatre Company of Santa Barbara (ETC), Santa Barbara’s only professional theatre company and a member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT), announces a change to its 2024-25 season. The highly acclaimed world premiere tour of “RACHMANINOFF AND THE TSAR” – written and designed by Hershey Felder – will replace the anticipated production of his “George Gershwin Alone.” Felder performs the leading role of Sergei Rachmaninoff and, for the first time, will appear opposite another artist, British-Italian actor Jonathan Silvestri, in the role of Tsar Nicholas II.
The newest theatrical work by Felder tells the story of the legendary pianist-composer Sergei V. Rachmaninoff who, having safely fled Russia during the 1917 revolution, made his home in the United States. In 1942, at the age of 68, he received American citizenship and bought a home in Beverly Hills, but his soul never left Russia. Six months later, a terminal illness brought forth the memory of a long ago encounter Rachmaninoff had with Russia’s last Tsar, Nicholas II, and the Tsar’s daughter, the Grand Duchess Anastasia. This memory would haunt him until his death.
“A few weeks ago, I was able to attend a preview of ‘RACHMANINOFF AND THE TSAR’ in Santa Monica and, after conversation with Hershey, a decision was made to bring it to Santa Barbara,” said Scott DeVine, ETC’s executive director. “The shift from ‘George Gershwin, Alone’ is representative of ETC’s commitment to presenting innovative and thought-provoking theatre, and was not a decision that I took lightly. The ability to have ‘RACHMANINOFF AND THE TSAR’ at the New Vic as a part of the world premiere tour presents a unique opportunity for our audience to experience a fresh and compelling new work.”
Making this change is consistent with ETC’s ongoing mission to support and showcase new works and diverse voices in the American theatre landscape. With its intimate setting at the New Vic and focus on high-quality professional theatre, ETC continues to be a vibrant cultural force in Santa Barbara.
“ETC is on the cutting edge producing new and interesting theatre and sharing our newest piece that has become instantly beloved was something I wanted ETC’s audiences to experience,” Felder said. “There will always be Gershwin, but this new play has a limited season, and the prospect of playing it in beautiful Santa Barbara was very exciting for me. When I saw Scott at the preview, I asked him if ETC would consider saving the 28-year-old Gershwin piece for another time in order to share in the world premiere season of ‘RACHMANINOFF AND THE TSAR.‘ I am excited to present to you my freshest piece – one with a contemporary bent that has already received rave reviews and excited audiences. I very much look forward to being with you in the Spring and will return to Santa Barbara with Gershwin in the future!”
ABOUT HERSHEY FELDER AND JONATHAN SILVESTRI
JONATHAN SILVESTRI (Tsar Nicholas II) began his career at BAC Youth Theatre in London’s Clapham district later studying with Simon Furness. He is known for his roles in the international television HBO hit series “Borgia” as Cardinal Fonsalida; his recent film with Tim Rozon as a US Marine in “DAKOTA,” the television series “The Young Pope,” “ Dangerous Lies,” “Devils,” “Fangs,” and more. He is a regular on Italian TV, in particular RAI’s ‘Impazienti’ in a starring role with Max Tortora and Enrico Bertolino. Jonathan recently appeared as Eugene Delacroix in Hershey Felder’s feature film “Noble Genius-Chopin & Liszt” and the feature film “Hey Joe,” with James Franco. A regular on Roman stages, Jonathan’s notable theatre credits include “Closer” by Patrick Marber, “Julius Caesar,” “Our Country’s Good,” and “Chinatown” at the Teatro Manhattan as well as many other productions. Jonathan is of British-Roman origin and is an actor specializing in International character accents and styles.
“RACHMANINOFF AND THE TSAR” will run as scheduled in the previous slot for “George Gershwin Alone” and current ticket holders will be automatically transferred to the new production. Those wishing to exchange their tickets or seeking additional information about “RACHMANINOFF AND THE TSAR” or the rest of the 2024-25 season can contact the ETC ticket office at 805-965-5400.
ENSEMBLE THEATRE COMPANY, a member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT), is Santa Barbara’s sole professional Equity theater company. ETC is committed to producing the highest professional quality theater in Santa Barbara, employing accomplished professional actors and stage managers.
ETC has been home to several world, American and West Coast premieres and has received recognition and accolades throughout its enduring history, Including being recognized in an Equity theater company by the Actors’ Equity Association, the labor union for American actors and state managers. As the sole professional Equity theatre company in Santa Barbara, ETC brings a wide range of accomplished theatrical professionals to the region. For more information, visit our website at etcsb.org.
