MAKS & THE FLYING SMIRNOVS

A New Musical
Book, Music, Lyrics by Susan Rabin

A musical comedy about a Russian-American family who struggles to adapt and finds their American dreams of success out of reach.
 
February 12, 2020, 7:30 pm
Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, Cypress Room
700 Alma Street, Menlo Park, CA

CAST
​MAKSIM SMIRNOV:  Andrew Cope
ANGIE ZACK:  Jennifer Schemke
IRINA  SMIRNOVA:  Dakota Baker
RITA HUNTER: Carla Befera
BRITNEY HUNTER: Tiffani Amber Williams
BORIS SMIRNOV:  Tim Reynolds
LUDMILLA SMIRNOVA: Molly Thornton
CHORUS/ENSEMBLE: Ajay Prater, Tiffani Amber Williams​

PRODUCTION TEAM
​Music Director:  Patrick Morehead
[email protected]
Russian Consultant:  Lana Tsarikaeva 
Artistic Director: Susan Rabin - [email protected]
Exec. Producer: Dave Buchanan - [email protected]
Assoc. Producer: James Creer
Board of Directors: Ann Singer, Kathy Pedone, Hal Schuette, 
Becky Schuette, James Creer, Lana Tsarikaeva

May 18, 2019 Workshop
During 2018 – 2019, Susan researched Russian family culture and traditions and put those findings into music and lyrics for her musical play, MAKS & the Flying Smirnovs. She prepared music charts and worked on arrangements with jazz pianist Patrick Morehead. They recorded the music at Bellboy Studios in Richmond owned by Susan’s pal from the Dan Hicks’ band days, Dave Bell. Singers included recording artist Lorin Rowan, along with Jennifer Schemke, Jessica Schatz, and Kristin Hall. Windy City Productions® retained musical director Louis Lagalante and engaged singer-actors Branko Glad, Jennifer Schemke, Tim Reynolds, Molly Thornton, Kristin Hall, Rebekah Houy-Ghadosh, Chrintina Gluszczak, and Bryan Munar to present the work for a select audience at a Workshop performance at the Arrillaga Center in Menlo Park on May 18, 2019.

February 12, 2020 Workshop
Susan continued to work on the musical, composed additional music and lyrics, and prepared the work for a second Workshop production for an audience of industry professionals and others. 
​Windy City Productions®engaged jazz keyboardist Patrick Morehead as music director and accompaniest along with guitarist Dave Bell to mount the event at the Arrillaga Center in
Menlo Park on February 12, 2020. 
Russian-born Maksim Smirnov longs to become an American star. Russian guilt leads Maks tosabotage his career to take care of his debt-ridden family. After Maks meets someone whobelieves in him and offers him a time-sensitive, star-making opportunity, Maks must try to find his​spine or blow his American dream.