Trinidadian-born Randy Simon, an Emmy-nominated tv and movie producer-director, has taken the New York stage directing debut with the world premiere manufacturing of “The Duchess Of LES: An AI Musical From Little Ukraine” by Denis Woychuk.
This manufacturing, that includes music course by Dana “Che” Belmond and choreography by Sarah Shah, will grace The Kraine Theatre within the East Village from November 16 by way of December 3.
Simon, together with fellow Trinidadian Lisa Franklyn-Zaidi and Government Producer Lori Schwarz, co-produces this revolutionary challenge.
A story of affection, betrayal, and temptation
Set in Eighties Little Ukraine, New York Metropolis, “The Duchess of LES” is a musical that delves into themes of affection, betrayal of the Code, and the irresistible pull of temptation.
The narrative revolves round Simon Vinnitskiy, a younger breakdancer who finds himself entangled in a forbidden love affair along with his psychotic brother’s spouse.
In accordance with manufacturing notes, the musical encapsulates “all of the damaged goals and grand hopes that make America the nation it’s,” and that “from the synth arpeggios to the driving drum beats, the music will transport you again to the dance sounds of the 80s, as imagined by AI.”
From Trinidad to the Massive Apple: Randy Simon’s inventive journey
For Randy Simon, whose 2018 Emmy Award nomination acknowledged his function as Assistant Director for the general public service marketing campaign “Would You Know If Somebody Was Following Your Little one On-line?” – this New York stage debut as a producer and director represents one other vital milestone in his inventive journey.
Simon’s ardour for storytelling and complex graphic arts, nurtured throughout his childhood in Trinidad and Tobago and later within the USA, finally led him to discover the world of movie.
His trajectory within the movie trade started as a manufacturing assistant on the arthouse thriller “The Golden Boat,” the place his dedication and effectivity earned him a promotion to 2nd Unit Location Supervisor.
This auspicious begin paved the way in which for Simon’s involvement in a various array of initiatives, starting from commercials to PSA campaigns and actuality exhibits, working alongside trade luminaries like Oscar-winner Casey Affleck, Joe Brewster, Giancarlo Esposito, Madison Davis Lacy, Mos Def, and James Schamus.
A visionary within the leisure trade
Establishing his personal firm, RFSWolf Leisure LLC, in 2004, Simon has collaborated with notable entities such because the New York Yankees’ Joe Torre and Jorge Posada’s Foundations, The Nationwide Park Service, The Kids’s Help Society, The Board of Schooling, Sesame Road, and extra. His initiatives deal with crucial societal points, together with gun violence, voting rights, baby abuse, HIV, stroke consciousness, and school-related well being issues.
Amongst his proudest achievements is the “African Burial Floor” set up, commemorating the greater than 50,000 slaves buried in New York Metropolis’s Wall Road space.
Moreover, he serves as a producer for the city drama movie “Third Week,” directed by his longtime pal and collaborator Jordi Torrent, which will likely be screened at Rome’s MIA (Mercato Internazionale Audiovisivo) Pageant in 2024.
A pure evolution into theatre
As Simon explains, “Going into theatre at this level in my profession is only a pure evolution for me as an artist.”
His inventive journey has taken him from pictures to movie, producing, and directing for visible media. Now, he embraces the problem of theatre, a brand new medium for him, with nice enthusiasm.
Simon is very enthusiastic about directing “The Duchess of LES” as a result of it affords him the chance to breathe life into characters earlier than a dwell viewers for the primary time.
Furthermore, he’s a staunch advocate and supporter of the LGBTQIA group, and the present’s exploration of gender norms and boundary-pushing aligns along with his constructive outlook. He concludes, “I couldn’t consider a greater option to begin my theatrical profession on the earth’s foremost theatrical metropolis.”
A stellar all-female forged
“The Duchess of LES” boasts an all-female forged, that includes gifted performers like Allison Brooke Clark, Stalinada “Stalina” Gurbechenko, Sarah Shah, Marion Stenfort, and Amanda Vazquez, together with understudy Romy Turner.
