
Dealing with Russian “anything” at this time in our country is a tense subject, but the new production of “Uncle Vanya” in a new adaptation by Annie Baker, is now in the Owen Theatre at The Goodman. The production is directed by Robert Falls, who shows his true understanding of the work (which by the way was taken from a “literal translation” from the original text). This was Chekhov’s masterpiece, dealing with a topic that everyone understands, LIFE!
Chekhov’s characters are living in a world that ties them together, but in a place where they are not at all comfortable. Our main character is “Uncle Vanya” (actual characters name is Ivan Petrovich, played handsomely by Tim Hopper). The house they reside in is a large one, although for our purposes, the action takes place in one large room, with an outside courtyard and views into another area of the house. Todd Rosenthal has created an amazing house. One that is “weathered and withered”. Times are tough and money is not as plentiful as it used to be.
Vanya’s sister had been married to a professor, one Alexander Serebryakov (a sterling portrayal by David Darlow), who is now residing in the home, which was in her name. She has passed away, and he has remarried, a much younger woman, Yelena Andreyevna ( the lovely Kristen Bush). The Professor’s daughter, and Vanya’s niece Sophia (deftly handled by Caroline Neff) also lives with her father and uncle in the house, which as it turns out was left to her. If you are confused, wait, there is more.
Now that you know the characters, what you need to know about them is that the Doctor and Vanya are both in love with Yelena. Sophia is in love with the Doctor, and it appears that the Professor wants to sell off the property and move back into the city. This is a play about relationships, and life, and having the ability to look at the way you live and examine if it is the best way to be living. In this case, the professor did own the estate, but he gave it to his “late” wife, who in turn willed it to their daughter. How does this affect each and every other character? That is what the story tells us. We get to watch their reactions and actions as the story unfolds and they look at bother their pasts and their futures.
“Uncle Vanya” will continue at The Goodman thru March 19th (it has already had a one week extension) with performances as follows:
Tuesday, February 28th 7:30 p.m.
Wednesdays 7:30 p.m.
Thursdays 7:30 p.m.
Fridays 8 p.m.
Saturdays 2 and 8 p.m.
Sundays 7:30 p.m.
There will also be 2 p.m. performances on March 5th and March 19th.
There are many events and accessibility performances-visit www.GoodmanTheatre.org/access
Tickets range from $20-$59 (open seating) and can be purchased at the box office located at 170 N. Dearborn Street, by calling 312-443-3800 or at www.GoodmanTheatre.org/UncleVanya
To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Uncle Vanya”.