He smokes. He undresses him down to his skivvies. He even does a little jig. It’s Mikhail Baryshnikov as you never really seen the legendary dancer, starring in the play “In Paris,” which just opened for a short run at the Broad Stage in Santa Monica.
A sold-out opening-night crowd was on hand to see the ultra-fit, ruggedly handsome actor in a groundbreaking play based on a Russian short story by Pulitzer Prize winner Ivan Bunin.
Those expecting a traditional theatrical experience were in for a delightful surprise. Firstly, the play is performed in French and in Russian – and although those languages were heard amongst the guests at the pre-show cocktail party, naturally, most of the audience was English-speaking. Problem solved, beautifully, with innovative “supertitles” that scrolled over the stage, the actors, the props, a large screen and often times, smaller handheld screens.
It took a bit of adjustment, but it turned out to be an experience that enhanced the drama.
“InParis,” directed by Dmitry Krymov, tells the story of two Russian immigrants whose lives intersect in the City of Lights during the 1930s. Baryshnikov is a former general, impeccably dressed and well-mannered, who happens into a neighborhood café and meets the winsome waitress played by actress Anna Sinyakina, whose husband is away at war inYugoslavia.
At this point, we already know that Baryshnikov’s character is divorced and that his young wife left him for a much younger and presumably wealthier Greek in Constantinople, that he’s on his own in Paris and quite lonely.
Sparks start slowly, and then they fly. We won’t issue any spoilers on the story, which is brought to life in multiple locations by innovative props on a stage that spins, another metaphor for what’s occurring in the lives of the two main characters.
But “In 
Paris” isn’t all serious and intense. Laughter ensues many times during the performance—which runs1:20 without an intermission—particularly during some of Baryshnikov’s bits getting dressed, or undressed.
There are also a few supporting characters as well as a Greek chorus of sorts that provides musical commentary to what’s going on. And then there is the mouse….nothing like Disney’s version.
Baryshnikov is also a producer of the play and invested about a quarter of a million dollars in it, raising a like amount from a Russian friend to mount the production, which had its world premiere in Helsinki last August. He describes it as a personal project done out of love. Baryshnikov’s father was a lieutenant colonel and he has said he drew inspiration for his character from unhappy memories of his father’s military mannerisms.
In the play, Baryshnikov speaks Russian onstage for the first time in his career. “He was not a very pleasant man,” he said of his father to the New York Times. “I did not have the happiest of childhoods. His mannerisms, his military habits, I put them in my interpretation.”
As one of the world’s greatest ballet dancers, Baryshnikov defected to the United States in 1974 and soon also achieved fame on screen. He garnered a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for his 1977 role in the brilliant ballet film The Turning Point. In 1989, he appeared on Broadway in an adaptation of Kafka’s Metamorphosis; and recently played on his formidable reputation as an “artiste” by indelibly depicting a self-absorbed Russian artist in the popular HBO series Sex and the City as Carrie’s international Prince Charming, who turned out to be anything but.
In this venue, his romantic interest is Anna Sinyakina. With her soulful beauty and graceful presence, not to mention some unexpected costume changes and some thrilling acrobatics, she brings a poignant resonance to their love story.
“In Paris” runs through April 21 with evening shows and weekend matinees. Tickets range from $65-$135.
If you miss it inLos Angeles, additional tour dates include: Berkeley Repertory Theatre, April 25-May 13, 2012; Spoleto Festival,Italy, June 30-July 1, 2012; and New York’s Lincoln Center Festival, August 1-August 5, 2012.
The Broad Stage, 1310 11th Street, Santa Monica, (310) 434-3200 www.TheBroadStage.com.
