The Coast of Utopia: Marathon News & Features

In the mid-19th century as revolution swept across Europe, a group of Russian intellectuals, journalists, critics, philosophers, poets and their friends tried to topple the tsar for the cause of freedom. Tom Stoppard's epic follows these men and women over thirty years, as their intertwined lives, passions and dreams drive them in pursuit of perfection. The first part of the trilogy, Voyage, is Stoppard's nod to Chekhov set at the grand Russian countryside estate of the Bakunin family. Four eligible sisters are under the sway of their charismatic brother, Michael, who interferes in their lives, while fervently seeking a greater purpose in his own. As his political and philosophical journey begins, we are introduced to Bakunin's compatriots including Vissarion Belinsky, George Herwegh, Karl Marx, Nicholas Ogarev, Nicholas Stankevich, Ivan Turgenev and, of particular note, the visionary leader Alexander Herzen. Part 2, Shipwreck, centers on Herzen and his fellow revolutionaries who find inspiration as well as frustration in exile in Paris and London. As the revolution of 1848 unfolds outside their doors, and the tides of political and social upheaval swell, Herzen's circle and his family are profoundly affected. Salvage, Part 3, brings maturity and resolution. As Russian imperialism is set adrift with the freeing of the serfs, Herzen and his compatriots look back from the vantage point of their exile in England at their dreams of overturning the tsar, at the paths taken and not, and at the Russia of their memory. There will be three marathon day-long performances of the entire trilogy. The marathons will take place on February 24, March 3 and March 10 only. Voyage will be performed at 11:00AM, Shipwreck at 3:30PM and Salvage at 8PM. Read More