PHOTO CALL: The Black Monk Opens Off-Broadway

By Matthew Blank
10 Dec 2008

The Black Monk, a new musical based on the Anton Chekhov story of the same name, opened Dec. 4 at Off-Broadway's Samuel Beckett Theater.

Kevin Newbury directs a four-person cast comprising Austin Pendleton as the Monk, Scott Robertson as Igor, Elon Rutberg as Andrei and Julie Craig as Tanya.

With book, lyrics and music by Blackburn Prize-winner Wendy Kesselman, the work "follows the life of a gifted young artist Andrei. After five years in Moscow, Andrei returns home to his adopted father Igor and childhood love Tanya. As his talent blossoms, will Andrei be able to hold on to love, family, and his sanity or will the power of the mysterious Black Monk drive him into the unknown?"

Black Monk runs at the Samuel Beckett Theater through Jan. 3, 2009. Show times are Tuesday at 7 PM, Wednesday-Friday at 8 PM, Saturday at 2 and 8 PM and Sunday at 3 PM.

Here is a look at the opening-night party at Theatre Row's Lounge:

Elon Rutberg
Julie Craig


Writer/composer Wendy Kesselman
Director Kevin Newbury


Cynthia Nixon
Austin Pendleton


From left: Elon Rutberg, Julie Craig, Scott Robertson, Kevin Newbury, Wendy Kesselman and Austin Pendleton


Photos by Aubrey Reuben