LUNATIC
Written by Elina & Arseniy Kaplun Directed by Elina Kaplun
Produced by Extraterrestrial Conscience
Presented by the New York City Fringe Festival
Sat April 11 at 5:20pm, Sat April 18 at 2pm & Sun April 19 at 5:20pm.
What did I just see? What did I just hear? What did I just experience? There were many moments where I didn’t understand what was happening…and I loved every second of it!
Lunatic, written by Elina & Arseniy Kaplun, is a masterclass in movement, storytelling, and baring your soul on stage.
Based on Russian poetry of the early 20th century, this piece throws in elements of clowning, dance, puppetry, lighting, fabric, and much, much more to tell its story. Elina’s every word, every movement, every emotion is so carefully calculated, while at the same time it is as if it’s being found in that very moment.
Words cannot do this piece justice.
I found myself wanting to know what was happening, yet not caring that it wasn’t crystal clear. I wanted to know what would happen next. I wanted to know why I couldn’t take my eyes off of Elina or the dancing star that is Arseniy.
I can’t recall a piece ever bringing out an emotional response from deep within me the way this did.
Why was I crying at the end over something I didn’t quite understand? Because Elina Kaplun is a phenomenal storyteller – believing every word she utters, living in authenticity, and pulling raw emotion from her soul for us to take with us forever.
THAT is what I saw, heard, and experienced: Excellence on stage.
Click HERE for tickets.
Review by Nick Radu-Blackburn.
Published by Theatre Beyond Broadway on April 8, 2026. All rights reserved.
