Anton Chekov (1860-1904) wrote the initial version of “Uncle Vanya” in 1888-9, revised it in subsequent years, but it was not successfully staged until 1899. A classic psychological exploration of an extended middle class family on a rural estate in Russia, the play transcends its time to become universal in the depth of its characters and its message of compassion.
The current production of Uncle Vanya at the Unadilla Theater in East Calais, is a new version by Annie Baker and excellently directed by Alex Brown, has a great cast of skilled actors who bring to life this remarkable mixture of comedy and tragedy in an arabesque of unrequited love.
The setting is the home of Alexander Serebryakov, an older retired professor, whom everyone looks up to for his academic achievements, but who is quite oblivious to the sacrifices that those around him have made over the decades to sustain him economically, played consistently on character by Clarke Jordan. His very beautiful but much younger second wife. Yelena, portrayed with professional finesse by Sorsha Anderson, becomes the object of two men’s love: a young, attractive doctor, Michael Astrov, who Jim Phinney makes convincing with his fine acting abilities, and Ivan Voitski (Uncle Vanya), a very challenging role given a powerful performance by Matthew Grant Winston. Added to this complexity is the character of Sonya, given a believable presence on stage by Lindsey Repka, the daughter of the professor’s first marriage, who is in love with the doctor.
Others in the household are Ilia Telegin, an impoverished landowner who plays the guitar periodically (David Klein), Marina, an old nurse (Susannah Blachly) and Maria, the mother of the professor’s first wife (Carrie Youngblood), all of who present their Characters with admirable naturalness.
Beside the pains of unreciprocated love, some of the themes that Chekov weaves throughout the play cover the whole range of human emotions and concerns, such as boredom, happiness, depression, human beauty, alcoholism, repressed anger at not being appreciated over many years, frustration at having lived a meaningless life, the slings and arrows of old age, the suffering of the peasants, and the destruction of the Russian forests and communities.
Only reading a play is like looking at a musical score and humming to ourselves. Live theater is a much richer and more memorable experience, which we share with others in a unique space. Like all great artists, Chekov is still relevant today.
“Uncle Vanya” will continue at the Unadilla Theater for the next two weekends on July 26, 27 and 28, and on August 2, 3 and 4. For more information call (802) 456-8968.
David K. Rodgers
David K. Rodgers is a writer, mason and card carrying dilettante, who dabbles and babbles in art. He has lived in East Craftsbury for the past 40 years.
