Uncle Vanya
Reviewed by Nikki Munoz
The New American Theatre
Extended through February 29
RECOMMENDED
“Something is wrong in this house,” says the visiting Yelena (Jade Sealey) — not once but twice in an intense conversation with the title character (Don Harvey) of Anton Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya.
She and others who inhabit Chekhov’s 1898 play find many things to be wrong, from the idleness of country life to the human degradation of nature to unrequited love. In this New American Theatre’s production, directed by Jack Stehlin, the stakes are high and the action engaging. The play comes to life via a talented cast and crew, resulting in an effectively executed drama.
At the top, an elderly professor, Alexander (David Purdham), and his much younger wife, Yelena, arrive at the rural estate that belonged to Alexander’s late first wife. Here we meet Alexander’s daughter, Sonya (Eve Danzeisen), the local doctor, Mikhael Astov (Brian Henderson) whom Sonya is in love with, and Sonya’s uncle, Vanya, who is in love with Yelena.
Despite the title, the play is very much an ensemble piece. Each cast member has a strong grasp of his or her role, and they all work together to depict the intricacies of the plot. Many relationships overlap: There are several love triangles happening at once, and how family members feel about each other are left up to interpretation. For example, although Yelena has multiple men interested in her, she is determined to stay faithful to her husband. Sealey expertly conveys this in a subtle yet telling way for much of the production.
The actors’ talents are heightened by Stehlin’s excellent direction. Stage blocking is key, and Stehlin nails it on every level, both in the slow scenes, where the characters merely sit around and talk, and in the livelier ones. At one point, Harvey’s Vanya, clearly very drunk, falls to the floor with such visible melancholy that it adds a depth to his ongoing monologue. Even though he is the one speaking, Yelena’s power over him and her lack of romantic feelings towards him are evident.
The production’s technical aspects are just as adeptly handled. Set designer Clare Scarpulla’s four-room interior is especially notable; despite the small confining stage, she manages to still create the illusion of a large estate.
The New American Theatre, 1312 N. Wilton Pl., Hollywood; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m. (except Feb. 21); Sun., Feb. 23, 3 p.m.; extended through Feb. 29. https://www.artful.ly/store/events/19028. Running time: approximately 105 minutes with one 10-minute intermission.
