С любимыми не расставайтесь at The Hudson Theatres

Seven couples, seven sets of cracks, and one question: which of them actually makes it to the end together? That's the pitch for С любимыми не расставайтесь ("Don't Part with Your Loved Ones"), a Russian-language production playing one night at The Hudson Theatres on Sunday, October 25. If your list of things to do in Los Angeles this fall leans toward small-stage drama over another arena show, this one deserves a look.

The play

The script comes from Alexander Volodin, the Soviet playwright whose short, talky plays about ordinary people and their messy relationships still get staged all over the Russian-speaking world. This version is billed as a production "based on" his play rather than a straight revival. The source material follows couples going through separation, and the show plays out as a string of short, emotionally loaded scenes. People argue, walk out, come back, and try again.

The organizers describe it as a story about love, vulnerability and how fragile relationships are. The dialogue is simple and everyday on purpose. The point is how easy a relationship is to wreck and how much work it takes to keep one. They also say the characters are recognizable enough that most people in the audience will spot themselves somewhere on stage, which is a fair warning if you're bringing a date.

Nail Abdrakhmanov directs, and Inna Evteeva handles the choreography. That choreography credit matters: the production photos show a very physical show, with actors grabbing, pulling and holding each other back rather than just trading lines across a table.

The cast

It's a big ensemble for a Theatre Row stage. The Eventbrite listing names Palina Lahotska, Eldar Kabirov, Maria Orlovskaya, Arina Martirosyan, Stanislav Repin, Kateryna Polishchuk, Natasha Vasketsova, Vlad Filkov, Radmila Karpusheva and Marina Kravchenko. Also listed: Renat Mustafaev, Roman Iakunin, Elizaveta Bolshunova, Elena Chichkova, Sergey Zand, Irina Khakimova, Sergey Buzovsky, Aryna Veselova, Arseniy Bolshunov and Gulnaz Murtazina.

Tickets and timing

Doors open at 6 PM and the performance starts at 6:30 PM. The listing gives a running time of about two and a half hours, so you'll be out around 9. Tickets on Eventbrite run $55.20 to $76.54. The event is 18+, and the organizer has a no-refunds policy, so be sure of the date before you buy.

The listing and the show description are written entirely in Russian, and there's no mention of English surtitles. Plan on the performance being in Russian.

Getting there

The Hudson Theatres sits at 6539 Santa Monica Boulevard, on the stretch of small playhouses locals call Theatre Row. Parking is paid, per the listing. There are lots and metered spots along Santa Monica Boulevard and the side streets, but a Sunday evening crowd fills them quickly. Rideshare drop-off right out front is the easy option. The Metro B Line runs along Hollywood Boulevard, a longer walk north.

For more Things Happening In Hollywood, check the Hollywood neighborhood page, or browse the full arts and culture calendar for more upcoming events Los Angeles theater fans can plan around.