Actor Anatoly Vaysman Embraces Hebrew Roles, Challenges Stereotypes in Israel
Actor Anatoly Vaysman, formerly known for playing intellectual roles in Russian theater, is now making waves on the Tel Aviv stage, portraying a passionate Dmitri Karamazov in "Gesher" theater's production of "The Brothers Karamazov." Vaysman, who has adopted a new surname and persona since immigrating to Israel, discussed his experience performing classic Russian literature in Hebrew in an interview with "Vesti." In Russia, he was typecast as a "cold intellectual," but in Israel, director Itay Tiran and playwright Roi Hen adapted the novel with a distinctly Israeli context, casting Vaysman as a former army officer suffering from severe PTSD. Vaysman recounted the intense process of learning the Hebrew script for the three-hour play, dedicating his free time during a U.S. tour to memorization and refining his pronunciation with "Gesher" vocal coach Yoni Lucas. He hopes this role will break stereotypes held by Israeli film producers who often cast Russian immigrants in "bad Russian" roles, opening doors for more serious dramatic parts.
Vaysman has a busy season ahead, including a children's project "Alice in Wonderland" with the Philharmonic Orchestra, a tour of his musical-poetic program "Consonance," and a highly anticipated autumn premiere of a joint production with Andrey Makarevich. He has retired his earlier solo show "I Am Here," about his repatriation experience, stating that the raw emotions of 2022 have evolved into a different understanding of trauma. "You can't get used to war, but the survival instinct requires not to build illusions and to live in the here and now, according to Stanislavski," Vaysman shared.
Reflecting on his move to Israel, Vaysman cited the people as his most significant discovery, recalling instances of unexpected kindness, from a social media acquaintance who helped him find a film agent to an airport official who offered personal assistance. Despite daily language challenges, he feels integrated into the country. Vaysman also urged new immigrants to vote in the upcoming Israeli elections on October 27, emphasizing the genuine opportunity to influence the government and national life.
