The Naked Woman to Premiere at Theater 154, Written by Avital and Ashkenazi

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The limited engagement will run June 3-14.

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PM Theater has announced the world premiere of The Naked Woman, a gripping, darkly comic drama exploring love, morality, and blind devotion. Written by the powerhouse duo of Allie Avital and Alia Azamat Ashkenazi, and directed by Avital, the production will run for a limited engagement.

Brought to life by an esteemed producing team — Joshua Elias Palmer, Anna Bredikhina, Sergey Nagorny, and Alia Azamat Ashkenazi — The Naked Woman arrives amid a vibrant downtown Chekhov renaissance, offering a distinctly modern, female-driven take on the psychological family tragicomedy.

The play is adapted from the feature screenplay of the same name by Avital and Ashkenazi, currently in late-stage development with a legendary independent film company, and set to be directed by Avital.

The Naked Woman unfolds over a winter holiday in an Upstate New York country house, where a family of Soviet immigrants gathers to celebrate Misha (played by Ilia Volok ), a man who has built a life on achievement, intelligence, and survival. But when a single moment shatters the illusion, an unsettling incident seeps into the house, turning the lively family gathering into a fierce Chekhovian moral reckoning.

At the center of the storm is 35-year-old Dasha (played by MaryKate Glenn), Misha’s sensitive but ruthless daughter. Pregnant and entangled in a complex love triangle between a family friend and the father of her child, Dasha finds herself torn between deep-seated loyalty to her family and the terrifying possibility of truly growing up.

The production boasts an extraordinary creative pedigree. Director and playwright Allie Avital is a prolific New York City filmmaker who has collaborated with global icons ranging from Lionel Messi and Dolly Parton to Olivia Rodrigo, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Caroline Polachek. A nine-time Vimeo Staff Pick alumnus, Avital’s work has screened at Sundance, SXSW, and BAM. She previously directed the second unit on the MGM/Amazon film Holland starring Nicole Kidman , and co-wrote the 2025 ballet thriller Prima starring Faye Dunaway and Mira Sorvino . Her short film version of The Naked Womanwon the Audience Award on Short of the Week, and the feature iteration was developed at the prestigious Venice Biennale Cinema College.

Playwright and producer Alia Azamat Ashkenazi is a two-time United Nations Award recipient for her documentary and theater direction. Her impressive portfolio includes directing major campaigns for Netflix and General Motors, and she is currently preparing to direct the historical drama Children of Nowhere starring French actress Laëtitia Eïdo.

The ensemble cast features an incredible array of international talent, culminating in featured appearances by three extraordinary artists: Ilia Volok as Misha, MaryKate Glenn as Dasha and Maria Atlas as Zoya. The cast is rounded out by an exceptional ensemble including Natasha Goubskaya, Max Samuels , Dima Koan, Oleg Blinov, Tatyana Kot , Audrey Arnold, and Matt DeTitta.

Select performances will also feature exclusive artist talkbacks with renowned choreographer/director C Prinz, performance artist Alex Tatarsky, actress and choreographer Angela Timbur, and downtown theater darling Ruby McCollister.

Performances run June 3-14 at Theater 154 located at 154 Christopher Street, New York, NY . Tickets are $60 and can be purchased via Eventbrite. Please Note: this performance contains full stage nudity and mature themes. In accordance with New York State law, no one under the age of 17 will be admitted to the theater. Valid government-issued photo ID is required for entry.

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_Originally reported by [BroadwayWorld](https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/THE-NAKED-WOMAN-To-Make-World-Premiere-At-Theater-154-20260524)._