{"product_id":"first-mtis-man-of-odesa-9780369105127","title":"First M?tis Man of Odesa","description":"\u003cp\u003eMatt and Masha hit it off during a theatre research trip in Ukraine. At first they seem like opposites: Masha loves the sea, Matt loves mountains. Masha is Ukrainian, Matt is M?tis. But the passionate spark ignited between them cannot be denied. Despite the improbabilities of a cross-continental relationship, a few fairy-tale visits overseas solidifies their bond. But when it seems distance could be the only obstacle in their path, a series of extreme circumstances put their commitment to the ultimate test.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBased on actual events, \u003ci\u003eFirst M?tis Man of Odesa\u003c\/i\u003e is the extraordinary true story of a whirlwind romance that withstands a global pandemic, a surprise pregnancy, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Transcending the usual tropes of documentary theatre, this heartwarming how-we-got-together tale turns art of the here and now into a catalyst for action and a hopeful ode for a better future.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eA citizen of the M?tis Nation of Alberta, \u003cb\u003eMatthew MacKenzie\u003c\/b\u003e is a multi-award-winning playwright from amiskwac?w?skahikan (Edmonton). Artistic Director of Punctuate! Theatre, Matthew is the founder and an artistic associate with Pyretic Productions and Canadian Liaison of the Liberian Dance Troupe. Matthew has had nearly a dozen of his works produced across Turtle Island.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eUkrainian actor and playwright \u003cb\u003eMariya Khomutova\u003c\/b\u003e started her theatre studies in Odesa at the age of twelve. She graduated from the Kyiv National Theatre University in 2012 and worked in two repertoire theatres in Kyiv. Her play \u003ci\u003eFirst M?tis Man Of Odesa\u003c\/i\u003e, which she co-wrote and performed with her husband Matthew MacKenzie, received three 2023 Dora Mavor Moore Awards, and brought her an Outstanding Performance nomination. After February 24, 2022, Mariya concentrates her theatre work around promoting contemporary Ukrainian playwrights' voices to the world theatre community.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Playwrights Canada Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51276684165394,"sku":"9780369105127","price":18.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_4bf86b1b-15d2-45c3-89e2-fefefaaad3ff.jpg?v=1747135336","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/first-mtis-man-of-odesa-9780369105127","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}