Drama Queens, a five-star arts journal focusing on female artists

Elena Ouspenskaia Interview by Jen Bush

The highly respected American Theatre of Actors has been putting on classics as well as diverse and innovative theatre for nearly 50 years.  Their support of new artists is extraordinary.  From September 21^st-30^th they will present the captivating world premiere of An Artist in Purgatory:Baudelaire’s Passion.  You will witness an international cast including artists from Ukraine bringing their artistry to this landmarked theatre.  This exciting new work has choreography, an original score and even original artwork.  Though this play is an international extravaganza about a French poet that will be performed in Russian, you’ll have no trouble understanding it.  The performance will be presented with supertitles.  We were thrilled to chat with cast member, Elena Ouspenskaia about the show and her life in the arts.

Elena began her artistic journey in theater.  It’s fitting that she’s now returning to her roots. “After graduating from the Moscow theater academy, I had an excellent theatrical career in the Russian Theater, playing amazing roles. It was all a long time ago, in my youth. I have been in America for almost thirty years and for many years I had no time for the theater from the beginning, I had to get used to a new country, raise my son. Fortunately, fate gave me the opportunity to return to my favorite profession again and to play in my native language, and in English, play in theater projects and on the screen. Became a member of SAG/AFTRA. I attached my resume with my roles. Also you may see my profile on IMDB.com – Elena Ouspenskaia.” link – https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7588689/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_1_q_elena%2520ouspenskaia).

Elena did her due diligence in researching Baudelaire’s life.  Her scene is short but impactful.  “I’m rehearsing the role of Baudelaire’s mother in Baudelaire’s Passion project. And first of all, of course, I read a lot of materials and literature about Baudelaire. The relationship between Baudelaire and his mother is a special story, very complicated. The sensitive nature of Charles was influenced by the early loss of his father and the imminent second marriage of his mother. He was incredibly jealous of his stepfather. Charles believed that his stepfather had too much influence on his mother. An incredibly difficult relationship. There is only one scene in the play between mother and son. The task before me in a short scene is to be able to express the diversity of feelings for my son, for his difficult character. There is love, pain and rejection of the son’s lifestyle, despair from the loss of mutual understanding and fatigue from endless strife. This is the difficulty and this is the interest, passion and enthusiasm. Прекрасная группа творческая молодых творцов, оригинальная пьеса об уникальном поэте, все это очень вдохновляет!”

     There is a definite fascination with heaven and hell as evidenced by all the books, movies, TV shows and courses on the subject.  Where would this poet truly end up apart from this play?  We’ll never know but there is a fictional answer in this play.  “Charles Baudelaire during his lifetime was not actually recognized, not accepted, his books were hardly sold, he was distinguished by an obstinate, quarrelsome character, a damned poet (Baudelaire’s own term), an obscene poet, an official madman.  He became famous and recognized after his death. The first French poet of world importance, the first who made French poetry worldwide, wrote in a new language in which French literature had not written before.  His life was short, his fate was rather tragic. All his life he resisted the established rules, he tried to live as he saw fit, only as he wanted.  Where was he supposed to be placed in hell or in heaven? The play by Henry Keen is around this question.”

Be an angel and go see An Artist in Purgatory:Baudelaire’s Passion!  Limited VIP tickets available including a meet and greet with the cast, champagne and more!

An Artist in Purgatory:Baudelaire’s Passion

September 21-30

The John Cullum Theatre at The American Theatre of Actors

314 W. 54^th Street