The Unfolding Drama: Moscow Komsomolets Announces 2024/2025 Theater Award Winners

As the curtains fall on another dazzling theatrical season, the venerable MK Theater Award has once again stepped into the spotlight, announcing its much-anticipated laureates for the 2024/2025 season. The selection process, much like a complex play itself, was reportedly far from straightforward, given the fiercely competitive landscape, especially among the acting nominations. Nevertheless, after meticulous deliberation, the discerning critics at Moskovsky Komsomolets have cast their final votes, celebrating the best of Russian stagecraft.

This annual accolade serves as a vital barometer for the health and vibrancy of Moscow`s theatrical scene, distinguishing performances and productions that have not merely entertained but profoundly resonated. The awards are traditionally structured to recognize talent across various career stages: “Masters” for seasoned veterans, “Semi-Masters” for established mid-career artists, and “Beginners” for promising new faces, alongside a collection of other special nominations.

The Pantheon of Masters: Experience Takes Center Stage

In the “Masters” category, where experience and profound artistry are paramount, the competition was particularly intense. Yet, certain performances shone with undeniable brilliance.

• Best Leading Actress: Lidiya Velezheva for her portrayal of Kruchinina in “Guilty Without Guilt” at the Maly Theatre. A performance reportedly so compelling, it might just absolve the audience of any prior theatrical sins.
• Best Leading Actor: Evgeny Redko as the father in “The Lord`s Summer” at RAMT. His performance is said to have imbued the stage with an almost spiritual gravitas.
• Best Supporting Actress: Yulia Rutberg for her role as Lyubov Landau in “Landau`s Sun” at the Vakhtangov Theatre. Proof that even supporting roles can command the universe.
• Best Supporting Actor: Vladimir Dubrovsky as Shmaga in “Guilty Without Guilt” at the Maly Theatre. Perhaps the only character who truly understood the play`s title.

Grand Productions and Intimate Narratives: Best Plays (Masters)

The “Best Play” category saw major productions vying for top honors, alongside more intimate, yet equally impactful, small-stage works.

• Best Play (Large Stage):
  • “The Lord`s Summer” (directed by Marina Brusnikina, RAMT): A profound journey into the past.
  • “The Seagull with a Sequel” (directed by Konstantin Bogomolov, Theatre on Bronnaya): Because Chekhov always deserves an encore, especially one with a twist.
  • “The Captain`s Daughter” (directed by Sergey Bezrukov, Moscow Provincial Theatre): Bringing classic literature to life with contemporary vigor.
• Best Play (Small Stage):
  • “The Courier” (directed by Vladimir Pankov, Center for Drama and Directing): Delivering powerful messages in a compact package.
  • “Petersburg – Petrograd – Leningrad” (directed by Ivan Popovski, Elena Kamburova`s Theatre): A historical odyssey, proving some cities never truly fade.
• Best Production Designer: Larisa Lomakina for “The Seagull with a Sequel” (Theatre on Bronnaya). Designing a sequel is often harder than the original, hats off.

The Ascent of Semi-Masters: Solidifying Their Stature

The “Semi-Masters” category acknowledges artists who have firmly established themselves, delivering performances that demonstrate sustained excellence and growing influence.

• Best Leading Actress:
  • Yana Sobolevskaya as Kora Landau in “Landau`s Sun” (Vakhtangov Theatre).
  • Olga Lerman as Julie in “Julie” (Theatre of Nations). Her performance may have left audiences questioning their own life choices, in the best possible way.
• Best Leading Actor:
  • Pavel Popov as Lev Landau in “Landau`s Sun” (Vakhtangov Theatre).
  • Alexander Devyatyarov and Maximilian Kutuzov as Ivan Shmelyov in “The Lord`s Summer” (RAMT). A dual win, proving sometimes two heads are better than one, especially on stage.
• Best Supporting Actress: Anastasia Dubrovskaya (“Lev Gurych Sinichkin, or a Provincial Debutante,” Maly Theatre) and Daria Zhovner (“The Seagull with a Sequel,” Theatre on Bronnaya).
• Best Supporting Actor: Denis Samoylov (“Landau`s Sun,” Vakhtangov Theatre), Sergey Yushkevich (“The Courier,” Center for Drama and Directing), and Dmitry Kartashev (“The Captain`s Daughter,” Moscow Provincial Theatre).
• Best Production Design: Nana Abdrashitova (“The Lord`s Summer,” RAMT) and Alexey Tregubov (“Arcadia,” Pyotr Fomenko Workshop). For making the stage as compelling as the performance.

Defining Performances: Best Plays (Semi-Masters)

• Best Play (Large Stage):
  • “Landau`s Sun” (directed by Anatoly Shulyev, Vakhtangov Theatre).
  • “Lev Gurych Sinichkin, or a Provincial Debutante” (directed by Alexey Dubrovsky, Maly Theatre). A title as long as the applause it received.
• Best Play (Small Stage): “Julie” (directed by James Nobo, Theatre of Nations).

The Dawn of New Talents: The “Beginners” Shine Bright

The “Beginners” category is arguably the most exciting, offering a glimpse into the future of Russian theater. These fresh faces and emerging voices promise to keep the stage vibrant for years to come.

• Best Leading Actress:
  • Elizaveta Bazykina as Arkadina in “The Seagull with a Sequel” (Theatre on Bronnaya). Playing an icon is a bold move for a beginner, clearly a successful one.
  • Ekaterina Novokreshchenova as Thomasina in “Arcadia” (Pyotr Fomenko Workshop).
  • Alexandra Lukyanova as Masha Mironova in “The Captain`s Daughter” (Moscow Provincial Theatre).
• Best Leading Actor: Alexander Fokin as Ivan Miroshnikov in “The Courier” (Center for Drama and Directing).
• Best Supporting Actress: Arina Avtushenko as Katya in “Callsign Silence” (Oleg Tabakov Theatre).
• Best Supporting Actor: Nikita Lukin as Medvedenko in “The Seagull with a Sequel” (Theatre on Bronnaya) and Nikolay Klyamchuk as Artem in “Callsign Silence” (Oleg Tabakov Theatre).

Promising Ventures: Best Plays (Beginners)

• Best Play (Small Stage):
  • “Callsign Silence” (directed by Sevastian Smyshnikov, Oleg Tabakov Theatre).
  • “The Darling” (directed by Artem Cherkaev, School of Dramatic Arts). A charming interpretation of a classic.

Beyond the Stage: Other Notable Recognitions

The MK Theater Award also extends its recognition to various facets of the theatrical world, from academic pursuits to groundbreaking cultural initiatives.

• Best Student Production: “I am Hamlet. A Mistake.” (directed by Tatyana Tarasova, GITIS). Perhaps the “mistake” was not giving it a larger stage from the start.
• Best Musical Performance: “Vertinsky.” A fitting tribute to a legendary artist.
• Best Musical Arrangement: Oleg Sinkin for “Petersburg – Petrograd – Leningrad” (Elena Kamburova`s Theatre). For ensuring the soundtrack was as historically rich as the narrative.
• Best Independent Theater: Space “Inside”. A testament to the vitality of alternative venues.
• Festival of the Year: “World of Russian Theatre.” A broad church for theatrical celebration.
• Project of the Year: “Theatre Boulevard” (Moscow Department of Culture). Because sometimes, culture needs a good stroll.

The 2024/2025 MK Theater Awards once again underscore the enduring power and dynamic evolution of the Russian stage. From the seasoned brilliance of its masters to the audacious promise of its new talents, Moscow`s theater scene continues to thrive, offering audiences a rich tapestry of human experience, beautifully rendered.

The results of the MK Theater Awards are eagerly anticipated each year, providing a definitive overview of critical successes and artistic achievements within the theatrical community. Congratulations to all laureates for their outstanding contributions.