Maria Rasputin in Spangleland

by Kelly McBurnette-Andronicos

FULL LENGTH 85 pgs - With her father’s name as her only capital, Maria Rasputin’s sole escape from poverty is performing in the circus. When a long-lost childhood friend returns from the dead, it fires Maria’s dream of returning to the imperial court and her privileged life in Tsarist Russia. But false hope fueled by an unsated longing for the past leads to the reunion’s unraveling, proving that buying lies can...

FULL LENGTH 85 pgs - With her father’s name as her only capital, Maria Rasputin’s sole escape from poverty is performing in the circus. When a long-lost childhood friend returns from the dead, it fires Maria’s dream of returning to the imperial court and her privileged life in Tsarist Russia. But false hope fueled by an unsated longing for the past leads to the reunion’s unraveling, proving that buying lies can be an expensive purchase.

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Maria Rasputin in Spangleland

Recommended by

  • Joan O'Dwyer: Maria Rasputin in Spangleland by Kelly McBurnette-Andronicos
    “

    Let’s say you’re an artistic director looking for a new play to engage and astound your audiences. You’d be wanting a playwright with confidence. One who can create a world, a realm (hell, even a viewpoint!) never before seen, but one familiar enough for theatre-goers to walk around in and enjoy. Here Kelly McBurnette-Andronicos offers up a three-ring circus of characters: some historical, some seeking what they’ve lost, some in literal pain. What’s real? What isn’t? I imagine Kelly dreams in color. Yep, neon color. Walk around in her world and you may, too.

    Let’s say you’re an artistic director looking for a new play to engage and astound your audiences. You’d be wanting a playwright with confidence. One who can create a world, a realm (hell, even a viewpoint!) never before seen, but one familiar enough for theatre-goers to walk around in and enjoy. Here Kelly McBurnette-Andronicos offers up a three-ring circus of characters: some historical, some seeking what they’ve lost, some in literal pain. What’s real? What isn’t? I imagine Kelly dreams in color. Yep, neon color. Walk around in her world and you may, too.

    ”
  • Peter Fenton: Maria Rasputin in Spangleland by Kelly McBurnette-Andronicos
    “

    In the very best way possible, I'm having trouble placing a comp title for Kelly McBurnette-Andronicos' wonderfully absurd Rasputin-inspired historical drama circus play! What I know for sure: it's an absurd premise with elite turns of phrase in the dialogue and plenty of room for spectacle for the set designer, director, costume designer, and actor to really sink their teeth into. I would love to see this play staged, if only to witness the immersively frightening experience laid out in these circus acts. I imagine my vision only scratches the surface of potential for this show!

    In the very best way possible, I'm having trouble placing a comp title for Kelly McBurnette-Andronicos' wonderfully absurd Rasputin-inspired historical drama circus play! What I know for sure: it's an absurd premise with elite turns of phrase in the dialogue and plenty of room for spectacle for the set designer, director, costume designer, and actor to really sink their teeth into. I would love to see this play staged, if only to witness the immersively frightening experience laid out in these circus acts. I imagine my vision only scratches the surface of potential for this show!

    ”

Character Information

MARIA RASPUTIN – new to the circus, new to bear acts, daughter of Rasputin, the ‘Mad Monk of Russia’. This character wears a clear plastic mask except where noted.
Siberian, Female, 30s

ANASTASIA – an imposter posing as the long-dead daughter of Czar Nicolas II, Polish pretending to be Russian, Female, 30s

BUTTERFLY “BUDDY” LEBLANC/ACROBAT– aerialist with an imperceptible weight problem, American, Female, 30s

LOTTIE CASH/ACROBAT – clown and trick rider/equestrian, English, Female, 20s-30s

IMPERIA KNAUST/ACROBAT – big cat trainer/performer, speaks multiple languages, Alsatian, Female, 40s-50s

ORVILLE HUPP/FOREMAN/ACROBAT – surly, mid-level circus manager/factory supervisor, male, 40-60s

CHARACTER NOTES
The play is designed to allow the characters of BUDDY, IMPERIA, LOTTIE, and HUPP to play the acrobats, though these roles could also be played by three additional actors.

The puppets, LAPOCHKA and MYSHKA, are animated by MARIA and briefly by LOTTIE.

The character of the FOREMAN is ORVILLE HUPP in the future.

The characters of MARIA and ANASTASIA ‘break the fifth wall’ during the beginning and end of the play, speaking to the audience as the actors themselves.

The character of LOTTIE is intersex. She identifies mainly as female, though may be played by an actor who is male, female, or non-binary.

  • MARIA RASPUTIN -
    New to the circus, new to bear acts, daughter of Rasputin, Siberian
    30S
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • ANASTASIA -
    an imposter posing as the long-dead daughter of Czar Nicolas II, Russian/Polish
    30s
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • BUTTERFLY “BUDDY” LEBLANC/ACROBAT–
    Aerialist with an imperceptible weight problem, American
    20s - 30s
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • LOTTIE CASH/ACROBAT –
    Clown and trick rider/equestrian, American
    20s - 30s
    (assigned female) Non-binary
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Non-binary
  • IMPERIA KNAST/ACROBAT –
    Big cat trainer, speaks many languages, Alsatian
    40s-50s
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • ORVILLE HUPP/FOREMAN –
    Surly, mid-level circus manager/factory supervisor
    40s-60s
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s