Yale Bulletin and Calendar

April 30, 2004|Volume 32, Number 28

This costume sketch is for the character "Astrov" in Chekhov's "Uncle Vanya." Student director Gia Forakis describes the show as "a non-traditional, boldly farcical production."

Drama school's 'Uncle Vanya'
breaks from naturalist tradition

As they work on the School of Drama's final production of the season, director Gia Forakis constantly reminds the company, "This is not your grandmother's 'Uncle Vanya.'"

The drama school students will present the work by Anton Chekov, formally titled "Uncle Vanya: Scenes from Country Life in Four Acts," Tuesday-Saturday, May 4-8, in the Yale Repertory Theatre, corner of York and Chapel streets.

Written only seven years before Chekhov's death, "Uncle Vanya" tells the tale of a retired professor who returns to the family estate with his new wife, who is not much older than his daughter. Everyone's daily routine is disrupted by the couple's arrival, most of all Uncle Vanya, who falls in love with the professor's wife -- as does the local doctor, who is loved in turn by the professor's daughter.

"This is a family that's never had therapy," quips Forakis, an M.F.A. candidate who is presenting the work as her thesis production.

The Yale production, based on a translation by Paul Schmidt, works against the naturalism that is usually associated with Chekhov's plays -- a naturalism introduced by the Moscow Art Theatre at the turn of the 19th century, notes Forakis. She points out that Chekhov himself wrote: "You tell me that people cry at my plays. I've heard others say the same. But that was not why I wrote them. It is Alexeyev [Stanislavsky] who made my characters into cry-babies."

Forakis describes her presentation of the play as "a non-traditional, boldly farcical production." The role of the old nanny is played by a man; there is a new non-speaking character named The Lady in Blue; and the sound design is reminiscent of the world of vaudeville. Furthermore, the set, costume and "physical life" of the characters are "all strongly influenced by the darkly humorous American illustrator Edward Gorey," says the director, noting that the work of both he and Chekhov is "at once morose, morbid and menacingly humorous."

"The result," according to Forakis, "is a wildly humorous, yet still tragic, journey that draws inspiration from Chekhov's perspective on the future. When Chekhov's characters repeatedly refer to '100 years from now' we are reminded that '100 years from now' is now. Creating a production that brings a fresh perspective to a contemporary audience is part of the joy of re-mounting this timeless classic."

Forakis began her theatrical career at the age of nine, performing in "Juice" by Meredith Monk at the Guggenheim Museum for Contemporary Art. More recently, she founded Epic Proporations Productions, functioning as producer, director, playwright and performer. During her 15 years with this company, she was responsible for creating 17 original works for the stage in venues in New York and New England. This summer, she will be directing "Frag" by Michael John Garcés at The American Living Room Series at the HERE Arts Center in New York City.

The cast for "Uncle Vanya" includes Bryan Clark (Yefim), Lucas Howland (Marina), Jennifer Lim (Mrs. Voinitsky), Jordan Mahome (Professor Serebriakov), Mozhan Navabi (Sonya), Christianna Nelson (Yelena), Alex Organ (Astrov), Kevin Rich (Vanya), Stefani Romanov (The Lady in Blue) and Carlos Tesoro (Telegin).

The production features scenic design by Lee Savage, costume design by Chloe Chapin, lighting design by Catherine Tate and sound design by Daniel Baker. Alice Moore is the dramaturg. Anne Michelson is the stage manager.

"Uncle Vanya" will be presented at 8 p.m. nightly, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, May 8. Individual ticket prices range from $15 to $18. Student tickets are priced from $12 to $14.50. Discounted rates for seniors and groups are also available. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Yale Repertory Theatre box office at (203) 432-1234.

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