LAST DAYS OF THE TSARS

The Stimson-Green Mansion, 2020

Set within the glittering, gilded final days of the Russian Empire, audiences witnessed the unraveling of the Romanov dynasty, surrounded by royals, nobles, soldiers, and servants.

Photos by Joe Iano

In the largest-scale Witness production to date, these intersecting stories played out over three floors of the soaring, landmark Stimson-Green Mansion, as guests followed figured such as Tsar Nicholas, Princess Anastasia, and Grigori Rasputin through the dark and mystical final days of the Russian Empire.

“Excellent and memorable … Last Days of the Tsars is filled with death, resurrection, haunting and revenge, making a potent mix with an audience who also seems to be haunting the house.”

—No Proscenium

  • “Excellent and memorable … Last Days of the Tsars is filled with death, resurrection, haunting and revenge, making a potent mix with an audience who also seems to be haunting the house.”
    —No Proscenium

    "Don't miss."
    —The Stranger

    "Handsomely produced … clamber with fellow patrons up and down stairs, from majestic dining room to well-appointed library, bedroom to basement, all while leaning in to catch what the doomed Romanovs and their conspiring enemies are up to.”
    —Crosscut

  • Written by Michael Bontatibus
    Directed by Erin Murray

    Dance and Fight Choreography: Jax RF McAtee
    Stage Manager: Amanda Sheller
    Assistant Stage Manager: Bridget Fouquette
    Lighting Design: Bryce Bartl-Geller
    Associate Lighting Designer: Maryalice Weed
    Costume Design: Anna Bowen
    Props Design: Jenny Burkley
    Sound Design: Trey McGee
    Dramaturg: Caroline Conoly

    Featuring performances by Cheyenne Bilbrey, Alana Cheshire, Ivan Guillermo, JP Hamilton, Tracy Hyland, Adam Kern, Frank Lawler, Sien Méndez, Arjun Pande, and Annie Willis.