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Chekhov’s Life in the Country
From works by Anton Chekov
Translations by Paul Schmidt, Ryan McKittrick & Julia Smeliansky
Produced by Greasy Joan and Co.
Greenhouse Theater Center
2257 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL
Tickets: 773-4047336 or www.greenhousetheater.org ; $12.50-$25
Thu-Sat at 8:30 p.m., Sun at 3:30 p.m.
Running time is 2 hours 15 minutes with one intermission
Through December 21st
Four Chekhovs Rolled Into One Delightfully Off-Beat Show
Director Libby Ford’s highly original adaptation of four Chekhov works (one short story and three one-act plays) into a single stage production is a stroke of genius that paints a quirky little portrait of late 19th century life in the Russian countryside. In other words, it is totally Chekhov. It is also much more than a collection of several works because, while the plays are performed intact within the production, they are woven into the fabric of a longer story as subplots of contemporary events in the lives and customs of the society that Chekhov so loved to lampoon. Chekhov’s Life in the Country is a funny and thought-provoking exploration of culture that is as relevant to our 21st century lives as its parts were to the lives of those living in Russia at the time they were written.
“Lady with a Lapdog” is the principle story in the work. It is partially narrated and partially acted in a smoothly transitioning monologue/dialogue duet translated from Kama Ginka’s stage adaptation of the story. Dmitry and Anna (Jason Huysman and Ilana Faust) are two unhappily married lovers who become involved in a long-term extramarital affair when Anna visits Yalta one summer. There is wonderful chemistry between these two fine actors and the portrait of two unhappy lives – especially Dmitry’s awakening to the possibility of actually loving another human being – is powerful stuff that provides the counterpoint to the farcical one-acts woven within the production.
The one-acts provide a triple play for those who love Chekhov’s over-the-top humor.”In The Proposal” we meet the bumpkinish Lomov (Neal Starbird) come to ask for the hand of his neighbor Chubukov's (Matthew Sherbach) daughter, Natalia (Kristina Klemetti).
The disastrous meeting ends happily, but only after petty and not-so-petty quarrels and the would-be groom’s near heart failure. In “A Reluctant Tragic Hero” we meet Tolkachov (Josh Summer) a hard-working family man who lives in the country and works in the city. He is being driven to contemplate suicide because his daily commute has become the postal service for his carefree family and neighbors. Finally, in “The Dangers of Tobacco” we meet Nyukhin (Matthew Sherbach) the most henpecked wimp one could ever encounter. Forced by his domineering wife to deliver a lecture about the evils of smoking, the inebriated school teacher takes advantage of the wife’s brief absence to bare his soul to his audience. All three of these short plays remind me of Monty Python. They are outrageous, but there is such a perfect kernel of truth at the core that one cannot help but laugh.
For the absolutely persnickety, I should note that there is a geographical issue between the northern provinces of the one-acts and the southern seaside of Yalta, but Ford isn’t the first to find unity of place an impossible obstacle to overcome. My hat is off to such a delightful and original concept. This is a great show with some super ensemble work from the entire cast as a classical chorus weaving the action in and out the four Chekhov works. Life in the Country brings Chekhov’s keen perception into 21st century digital focus and it is an absolute must-see for Chekhov fans.
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Randy Hardwick
randyontheglobe@yahoo.com for comments
Date Reviewed: November 9, 2008
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