THE MUTT
STREETCAR PRODUCTIONS
AND ART AGAINST HUMANITY
present
BASED ON THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV
BY FEDOR DOSTOEVSKY
September 10 - 21, 2025
Limited seating

\

Directed by Anoushka Nesterova and Elena Che

Choreography by Gisela Quinteros

The Mutt is a cry from the soul—a whispered question in the dark about faith, redemption, and the fragile threads that hold us when everything else falls away. Inspired by Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov, this visceral, post-dramatic performance explores cruelty, innocence, and the terrifying beauty of choosing love in a loveless world.

Cast
It is winter. A moonless night.
A boy, on a reckless bet, lies motionless between the frozen rails as the eleven o’clock train barrels toward him—testing fate, testing God, testing the silence.
Another has not left his bed in days. The weight of a secret crime—too grave, he believes, to be forgiven—pins him to the sheets like a stone on his chest.
Each, in his way, is facing the devil. Or perhaps not a devil at all, but a trial: a stray, starving dog named Zhuchka, who arrives not with fire and pitchfork, but with the unbearable gaze of innocence.
Zhuchka may be an omen—or a mirror. A test, or a blessing. The real question is not whether God is watching, but whether these boys—and through them, we—are still capable of answering the call:
To choose love over fear. To take responsibility. To find, in the wreckage of our thoughts, a way to live—with humility, courage, and grace.
Creative team
As seen in
"The Mutt is a step away from traditional linear storytelling, delivering nuanced pictures of strained relationships, internally as well as with others, and the struggle to find where one’s true self resides.

If you’re a lover of Dostoevsky, it’s a must-see, as this appreciation and love of his work is not often dramatized."
David Walters
Theater Critic
"Do you remember the feeling when you close a Dostoevsky novel? Here—it’s even better! On the one hand, you respect yourself for going all the way through without faltering. On the other—it’s a catharsis, with a sense of deep relief."
Marina Levitskaya
Visual chronicler of stage and art
“The play is wonderfully crafted, a fine example of minimalism. A sprawling novel is distilled down to six characters, with one storyline at the core and the action tightly wound around it. A simple yet clear set, a small hall, video where modern Russia looks like in Dostoevsky’s time. Overall, an excellent performance—I liked it.”
Nikolay Malinin
Art critic and journalist
"A poetic rendition of the famous novel by F.M. Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazovs. New generation of theatre artists keeping Dostoevsky alive in NYC! Bravi tutti!"
Aleksey Burago
Theater director
"An absence of falsehood, of lies, of mockery of feelings, of posturing—that crude theatrics that only provokes a reflexive itch—an absence of betrayal of us, the audience—that alone is already a Miracle! To Love, to Pray, to Live, to Breathe, to Believe—so simple, and at the same time, so difficult... Here, in this tender and honest space of the performance, everything essential for life is present."
Lena Sikorskaya
Actress
"I experienced incredible joy! Ilyusha intertwined with Liza, Zhuchka/Grushenka, Kolya, the father, the choreography, the music, the metaphors in the props — everything was captivating! I applauded with tears in my eyes."
Liza Kaymin
News Anchor
“With minimal décor and symbolism in every gesture, The Mutt blends experimental staging with unvarnished performances, creating a work where nothing feels accidental. Ancient Slavonic chants, fractured storytelling, and a distinctive movement language make the production feel both innovative and alive — less a play than an immersive encounter with Dostoevsky’s central question: what it means to be human.”
Victoria Zavyalova
The Theatre Times journalist
“The Mutt is a kind of mutt itself — a mixed-breed of dance, theater, performance art, and music, poetically integrated by directors Anoushka Nesterova and Elena Che. The strong cast gives depth to the characters, with Zhuchka nearly always front and center, caught between fantasy and reality, life and death, being and nothingness.”
Mark Rifkin
Writer and Editor @ This Week in New York
FAQ
  • Can I return my ticket?
    Tickets are non-refundable, but you may transfer them to a friend if you can’t attend.
  • How long is the performance?
    The running time is approximately 1 hour 40 minutes, with no intermission.
  • Is there a minimum age requirement?
    There isn’t a strict minimum. The Mutt contains mature themes, but maybe so does your child! We leave it to parents’ discretion to decide if the show is appropriate.
  • Is there late seating?
    No. Late seating is not permitted, so please plan to arrive early.
  • Are seats assigned?
    No. Seating is open, so you can choose any available seat upon arrival.
  • When do the doors open?
    Lobby access begins 30 minutes before the performance, and the house opens 15 minutes prior for seating.
  • Who can I contact if I can’t find the answer to my question?
    Please email us at info@streetcarstudio.com, and we’ll be happy to assist you.
  • Is the performance in English?
    Yes. The Mutt is performed entirely in English.
Made on
Tilda