Chicago's cultural life offers just about everything that a person could hope for theater, concerts, museums, exhibitions, almost anything imaginable. Chicago’s Russian community enjoys all of this and more. Some of Russia’s most popular artists perform almost every week. Could it get any better? Apparently, it could! We didn’t realize just what we were missing until now… a regional Russian Theater.

In addition, it was not just any old Theater it was a phenomenal one or maybe a triple phenomena! Firstly the inaugural production is "Phenomena" by G. Gorin, second, the acting was phenomenal, and thirdly, the audience’s was phenomenal.

We chose this premier from the many possibilities open to us, and we were not disappointed! But, let us start at the beginning… My friend Eugene Kolkevich and I were talking and discovered that there was a group of people rehearsing a Russian play in a basement every night after work. I had known Eugene for quite a while and knew the details of his life, the twists and turns it had taken before he found his way in the world He had a nice job, he was making good money, living quite comfortably in his house with his beautiful wife and their two wonderful daughters -- what else was there to wish for?

It didn’t make any sense to me why he would need this theater? It is so difficult! You can find talented Russian actors; a lot of them came here from Russia looking for a better life. But what about the hall? the advertising?, the stage sets?, the sound and lights… God only knows what else! I was visualizing something like an old blanket as a theater curtain, an old bench for a horse and a painted banana instead of a gun! It didn’t make any sense to me I was highly skeptical about this whole thing! But I was wrong I was very wrong!

When we arrived at the Christian Heritage Academy for the premier we were very surprised. It was 30 minutes before the play was to begin and the parking lot was already nearly full. I said to my wife, "I would never have expected such a crowd – you’d think it was a Rock concert!" However that was just the beginning. The second surprise came when I entered the foyer. I was expecting to see mostly friends and the families of the participants. or people I had met previously at the Russian bard's concerts. But I saw many new faces, and it was quite pleasing. The performance was delayed as the line for tickets was so long. All this before we had even had a chance to establish a reputation!

Eventually the curtain opened the music started, perfectly matching the mood of the play. As the curtain opened I saw a real stage! A real set! I was transported back to the past, to Russia to the real theaters! On stage was a typical Moscow hotel room. And it went on, bottles moved by themselves, people saw through brick-walls, read each other’s minds. The first act was a breeze! Everything was professional and very tasteful. S. Kaganovich was one of the actors with some previous experience, and had previously performed in the play in Minsk his hometown, where he worked as an engineer and spent most of his free time performing in the amateur Theater. It was interesting to watch how Klyagin (S. Kaganovich's character) slowly transformed from a typical soviet crook to a compassionate person helping others.

E.Kolkevich was phenomenal! He had never acted before, (although he had spent most of his life on the stage as a professional musician and orchestral conductor) nevertheless, he was able to create a very interesting character. His Michael was honest and hardworking and couldn’t’ stand any cheating or lies. He also played the part of Michael's brother Anton. What a transformation! Anton was the complete opposite of his Michael. Playing both of these parts would not have been easy for a more experienced actor.

O. Ostashev was the only professional actor. He was excellent as the Engineer Ivanov. He made it very recognizable and was applauded several times by the audience.

E.Bernat and I.Babekova did a great job. It was obvious to everyone that E. Bernat is an experienced professional actress. B.Borushek is novice on the stage, but his performance was sincere and emotionally charged.

When I stepped out at the intermission, I overheard many positive comments. The most amazing thing for everyone was a trick where a bottle of vodka -that most popular of Russian objects- was moving around the table all by itself or "by power of thought", as was suggested in the play! The second act was even more dynamic, leading to a final scene, where everything on the stage was either moving around or flying in the air! It was poignant and it ended too soon! Everyone felt the same, the ovations and flowers were endless! "Thank you. You exceeded our expectations”.