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Founder and Artistic Director
Alexander Prokhorov-Tolstoy
The founder and artistic director of the Commonwealth Lyric Theater and its Young Artist Program, is a multifaceted talent in the world of music and theater, excelling as a bass-baritone singer, pianist, stage director, choral conductor, composer, and vocal instructor. Born into a family with deep cultural roots, including writer Alexey Tolstoy and poet Mikhail Lozinsky as great-grandfathers, and a lineage enriched with literary and artistic figures, Alexander's upbringing was steeped in literary, musical, and theatrical influences.
After completing his education in piano performance at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory Academic Music College, he furthered his education in chorus conducting and opera performance at the Longy School of Music, Bard College and the Boston University Opera Institute.
Under Prokhorov-Tolstoy’s leadership, CLT spotlighted talents from the Bolshoi and Metropolitan Opera companies, and garnered critical acclaim for productions like "Aleko" by Sergey Rakhmaninov, "Mozart and Salieri'' by Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov, and "Demon" by Anton Rubinshtein in 2017, staged at the Emerson Cutler Majestic, and earning top honors from the National Opera Association alongside accolades from the Boston Globe and New York Magazine.
Under Prokhorov-Tolstoy's leadership, the Commonwealth Lyric Theater spotlighted exceptional talents from the top opera companies and theaters around the globe. CLT productions, including "Aleko" by Sergey Rakhmaninov, "Mozart and Salieri" by Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov, and "Demon" by Anton Rubinshtein in 2017, staged at the Emerson Cutler Majestic, received widespread critical acclaim. Our performances not only secured top honors from the National Opera Association but also garnered praise from notable publications such as the Boston Globe and New York Magazine.
Prokhorov-Tolstoy's exploration into children's opera and musicals has led to the innovative staging of "The Magic Flute," "Ruslan and Ludmila," and "Pirates of Penzance," garnering honorable mentions from the National Opera Association. Currently, he is channeling his creative energies into a new musical vision with "Pinocchio," based on Carlo Collodi's classic tale.
Assistant Stage Director and Choreographer
Afanasy Prokhorov
"I juggle many roles and enjoy them all!"
Afanasy is a versatile artist skilled in performance, choreography, video production, and sound engineering. Since age 11, he has been an independent performer, celebrated for his velvety baritone, musical style, and dancing talent. He has worked with the Commonwealth Lyric Theater and Boston’s Jewish Musical Theater “Firelech” and has been the lead soloist at Lucky Ten.
Afanasy has received the Grand Prix at Carnegie Hall and other international accolades, and has performed at events such as the International Festival “Istoki” in Moscow and the Newton Festival of the Arts. In 2020, he served as the technical director for the Musical Window project.
Afanasy runs a small recording studio and is deeply involved in the Commonwealth Lyric Theater’s Young Artist Program, where he guides aspiring performers in a supportive and creative environment. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee.
Set Designer
Jenya Shekhter
Jenya Shekhter is a set designer who strives to transform the stage into captivating worlds that invite audiences into the story. With a keen eye for visual narratives, she carefully selects elements that resonate on a deeper level, sparking the viewers' imagination and emotions. Jenya aims to make scenography a dynamic character within the production, one that evolves throughout the performance. Her designs are thoughtfully composed to create immersive experiences that enhance the storytelling. By blending a diverse range of architectural, interior, natural, and abstract elements, Jenya brings her artistic vision to life, making each production a unique journey for the audience.
Jenya has designed sets and costumes for various Israeli and American theater productions, including "Sailor's Silence," "Uncle Vanya," "A View from the Bridge," "The Dead Souls," and "Elsinor." Recently, she conceptualized and designed stage sets for PM Theater's productions of "The Singing Windmills" and "A Star Without a Name," both of which originated in New York and toured nationwide under her creative direction.
Jenya holds a Master's in Theater Arts from Tel Aviv University, and her passion for theater extends beyond design. She founded the Wandering Lampshade Theater Club for children aged six and older, where she teaches acting and improvisation and introduces them to the rich history of theater and its various genres while nurturing young talents.
Technical Director Sound and Lighting Engineer
Mike McTeague
Mike McTeague is a sound and lighting engineer and technical director, with a rich portfolio spanning across renowned theaters worldwide. Beginning his career with the Colonial Players and Quannapowitt Players in Massachusetts, Mike's talent has been showcased in prestigious venues worldwide, including the stages in Chicago, New York, and Ukraine.
Recognized for his technical skill and creative flair, Mike has contributed to a variety of productions, from classic to modern, enhancing each with his innovative designs. Notable projects include "Demon," "Who Will Sing for Lena," and "The Bear," which demonstrate his unique blend of technical mastery and artistic vision. Mike has received multiple awards for his lighting, sound designs, and stage management, including accolades for "Dracula" and "A Little Night Music." His passion for theater and commitment to excellence continue to drive him to explore new boundaries in theatrical production, cementing his reputation as a master of his craft in the global theater community.
Conductor
Jenny Tsai
Jenny Tsai is a music director, pianist, composer, and music educator. Born in Taipei, Taiwan, Jenny discovered her love for music at a young age through piano lessons and choral music. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance from Soochow University in Taiwan and a Master’s degree in Music and Music Education from Columbia University.
Jenny’s recent music direction credits include Guys and Dolls, Jesus Christ Superstar, Sister Act, La Cage Aux Folles, A Chorus Line, Dreamgirls, The Bodyguard the Musical, Hello, Dolly!, Rent, Songs for a New World, Cabaret, and A Little Night Music. She served as a choir conductor for a local church for 13 years. Since 2004, she has also performed as a collaborative pianist and keyboardist for musical theaters and recitals in Boston.
Jenny’s original compositions and arrangements have been performed in Boston and at the National Recital Hall in Taiwan. She was nominated for Best Music Director by EMACT for the 2022-2023 season for Cabaret.
Sound Designer
Gage Baker
Gage is a Boston-based sound designer. Credits include SpeakEasy (The Museum of Broken Relationships, Pru Payne), Catastrophic Theatre (The Turn of the Screw, Innominate), Rec Room (The Children, The Moonlit Princess, Dance Nation), Boston Playwright’s Theatre (Driving in Circles), Babson College (Everbody) and Moonbox Productions (Legally Blonde, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels). Upcoming sound designs include A Man of No Importance for SpeakEasy. He is an alum of the University of Houston (BFA) and Boston University (MFA). When not designing plays and musicals, he mixes over 100 performances annually for the Boston company of Blue Man Group. gagebaker.com
Visual Art Designer
Sergey Aniskov
Sergey Aniskov is an award-winning animation visionary and former set designer for Moscow's renowned Maly State Theater. His animated films have been showcased at prominent film festivals, including Cannes and Sundance, earning global acclaim. Sergey's diverse work includes traditional animation, documentary films, and innovative projection design for avant-garde performances and theatrical productions. Trained by Yevgeny Kumankov, a luminary in classical Russian theater set design, Sergey brings his theatrical background to every project, infusing experimental productions with fairy-tale graphics - a signature of his artistic style. Sergey's experience with children's animation adds a playful and whimsical element to his projection designs.
Sergey has developed creative property concepts and produced pitch reels that greenlighted productions for AOL, BBC Kids, Cartoon Network, Handmade Films, Lionsgate, MTV Networks International, Nickelodeon US and Australia, TV Ontario, and YTV Canada, among others. He has also directed and produced numerous episodes of animated broadcast and cable network series, as well as online and mobile gaming and learning content for AOL, MTV, Harcourt-Mifflin, the US Department of Education, and the National Science Foundation. Sergey is the founder and owner of Sorka Enterprises, a production company.
Costume Designer and Multimedia Artist
Luna Gomberg
Luna Gomberg is an innovative costume designer and multimedia artist known for her creativity and bold use of color. Her extensive portfolio spans theater, opera, and outdoor performances, showcasing a unique blend of set design, costume creation, and hair and makeup artistry. Luna has made significant contributions to theater companies, performance venues, and collaborative projects across New York City and beyond. Notably, Luna has worked with Krymov Lab NYC on their acclaimed "Big Trip" performance at LaMaMa ETC in the East Village and engaged in creative projects at TurnPark Art Space in the Berkshires.
Luna's artistic range extends to independent sculptural work, abstract costume design, fiber arts, and dynamic installations, often in collaboration with notable artists like Uta Bekaia, Doug Fitch, and Tommy Nguyen. She is currently engaged in ongoing projects with Krymov Lab NYC, designing costumes and puppets. She is gearing up for major productions, including "Anna Karenina" in New York and "Pinocchio: the Musical" in Boston. Additionally, Luna is crafting her own costume collections for the 2024-2025 seasons, continuing to push the boundaries of traditional costume design.
Choreographer
Jon Lehrer
Jon Lehrer is a choreographer who began his dance and choreography journey thanks to his girlfriend’s dare to take a modern dance class in college. He went on to earn a BFA in Dance from the University at Buffalo, kickstarting a transformative career. Jon has performed with various renowned groups, including the Erick Hawkins Dance Company, Giordano Dance Chicago, and even the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular. He quickly rose through the ranks at Giordano Dance Chicago, becoming Rehearsal Director and Associate Director, and creating seven original works that received international acclaim.
In 2007, Jon founded the Jon Lehrer Dance Company (JLDC) in Buffalo, NY, which moved to NYC in 2019. JLDC has gained national and international recognition for its unique blend of modern and jazz influences under Jon's artistic leadership. The company is celebrated for its organic and accessible choreography, infused with humor and reflective of life's experiences and the human condition. Jon's dedication to dance education and choreography has earned him several accolades, including the University at Buffalo Zodiaque Dance Company Distinguished Alumni Award and the "Rising Star" SPARK Award for his contributions to Buffalo's arts and cultural community.
Dancer and Choreographer
Fiona Liu
Fiona Liu is a spirited hip-hop dancer and choreographer whose work has graced prestigious stages, including the Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Festival and with the renowned BTOP dance crew at Berklee School of Music in Boston. She actively shapes performances as a choreographer for various recitals and the vibrant annual Boston Chinese New Year Gala, bringing her unique creative vision to life.
Fiona’s choreography has gained international acclaim, particularly at the Rap of China 2024 global competition. She also directs and choreographs music videos, creating compelling visuals that span themes from schizobulia and domestic affection to hip-hop culture. Additionally, Fiona’s work explores and portrays the complexities of marriage in Chinese culture through the expressive power of dance.
Master Craftsman and Visionary Designer
Sergey Didenko
Master Craftsman and Visionary Designer
Sergey isn't just a master craftsman; he's a visionary who effortlessly combines hands-on creation with cutting-edge technology. His expertise spans from welding metal and woodworking to electronic hardware and software coding, enabling him to craft pieces that transcend conventional artistry.
For our Pinocchio production, Sergey brought his unique vision to life by meticulously designing and building key elements, including innovative lighting solutions that blend seamlessly with the theatrical experience. He is behind a striking golden key, a major element of the show that adds a magical touch.
Beyond the stage, Sergey is the founder of Design Synergy Vision, a startup that blends technology and craftsmanship to create smart, beautiful, and sustainable home and garden landscaping solutions.
Producer
Irina Prokhorov-Tolstoy
​​Irina has been with Commonwealth Lyric Theater for over 10 years, serving as Producer, Production Director, Legal Counsel, choir member, and instructor for Commonwealth Lyric Theater Young Artists. Mrs. Prokhorov holds a Bachelor’s Degree in singing, piano, choir conducting, and music education, along with a Juris Doctor. She is a solo practitioner and the proprietor of her own firm, the Law Office of Irina Rubinshtein, P.C.
Mrs. Prokhorov's opera production of "Demon" by Anton Rubinshtein has received acclaimed press coverage and secured 1st Place in the professional opera company competition by the National Opera Association. Additionally, she is a co-founder of the Child Prodigy Concert Series of Boston, which, in 2014, attracted over 500 people to its inaugural concert at New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall.
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