CURRENT PERFORMANCES AT THE BLACK BOX THEATRE
Anton Chekhov's classic "Uncle Vanya" at the Black Box Theatre January 24 - February 9
No Strings Theatre Company presents "Uncle Vanya" by Anton Chekhov adapted by David Mamet from a literal translation by Vlada Chernomirdik, directed by Michael Wise. "Uncle Vanya" opens January 24 and runs through February 9 at the Black Box Theatre, 430 N Downtown Mall, Las Cruces. Smoldering passion, discarded loyalty and middle age angst collide in Chekhov's wise and wonderful comic masterpiece.
A retired professor (Burke Haloday) has returned to his estate to live with his beautiful young wife, Yelena (Christa Popovich). The estate originally belonged to his first wife, now deceased; her mother (Naomi Sayles) and brother (Uncle Vanya, played by Mark Steffen) still live there, and he manages the farm with the help of Sonya, his niece. Sonya (Maria-Luisa Winslow), the professor's daughter, who is about the same age as his new wife, the nanny (Susan Smith) and a workman (Dusty Payne) also live on the estate. For many years the brother has sent the farm's proceeds to the professor, while receiving only a small salary himself.
The
professor is pompous, vain, and irritable. He calls the doctor (Astrov,
played by Patrick Payne) to treat his gout, only to send him away
without seeing him. Astrov is an experienced physician who performs
his job conscientiously, but has lost all idealism and spends much
of his time drinking. The presence of Yelena introduces a sexual tension
into the household. Astrov and Uncle Vanya both fall in love with
Yelena; she spurns them both. Meanwhile, Sonya is in love with Astrov,
who fails even to notice her.
Illusions are shattered, the guests challenge their hosts, love is
misled and baffled with the adroitness of a French farce. Vanya's
feeling of wasted years is brought to a crisis. The loves and lives
tumble (in part) to resolution and (in part) to irresolution. Much
of the love comes to nothing, and the guests finally depart leaving
the ruin of the summer and the estate behind.
The play moves the eight principle characters through the feints and false starts of everyday congress, through the false trails and dead ends of everyday life. It is a cat's cradle of interactions about love (love and illusion, unrequited love, love and the foolish mooncalf idleness that accompanies it) against themes of missed opportunities and chances, time and the power and prayer of work. "Uncle Vanya" is a human comedy that reminds us through laughter and pathos, through the demonstration of the follies of love and the perils of our own inaction, to seize the moment, to take the chance, to act.
Friday
and Saturday performances of "Uncle Vanya" are at 8:00,
Sunday, February 2 and Thursday, February 6 are at 7:00, and there
is a Sunday Matinee on February 9 at 2:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $8
regular admission, $7 for students and seniors over 65 and all seats
on Thursday are $5. For reservations: Call (505)-523-1223 (after January
12) or using the online Reservation Form.
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