• September 25, 2007
  

  Classic Chekhov characters highlight next ISU Theatre production

• Anton Chekhov’s classic play “Three Sisters” has been described both as a tragedy and a comedy. For ISU Theatre’s Brad Dell, the play is a “tragic comedy in the strictest sense of the word.”

  “There are moments in the show that are incredibly tragic,” says Dell, who is directing the ISU Theatre production, “and there are some hilarious scenes as well. It’s as funny and tragic as life itself is.”

  “Three Sisters” looks at the lives of the Prozorov sisters and their brother who have been living in a large beautiful house in the backwoods of Russia. Sisters Olga, Masha and Irina are refined and cultured young women in their 20s.

  Rather than being satisfied with what they have, the four are frustrated, clinging desperately to memories of the bright, thriving, sophisticated Moscow where they lived as children. With their father dead, their anticipated return to Moscow comes to represent their hopes for living a good life, while the ordinariness of day-to-day living tightens its hold.

  While the play has a story to tell, Dell says the Chekhov masterpiece is not plot driven.

  “Instead it’s more about the characters and how they respond to life,” he said. “There are little moments of passion, fury, romance and violence with multi-layered characters and situations.”

  And while the action is set in Russia at the turn of the 20th century, “Three Sisters” is a universal story that has relevance to today. In the production, the characters are “people who are unsatisfied with what they have now,” Dell says. “They are blinded by what is good that is right in front of them. This is something that everybody today, including college students, face.”

  Cast members include Heidi Germann, Olga; Amanda Mullen, Masha; Kim Chelf, Irina; Carrie Taylor, Natasha; Alexis Kline, Anfisa; Adam Moeller, Andre; Brendan Dunphy, Vershinin; Michael Rubke, Tuzenbach; Ellis J. Wells, Kulygin; Bill Mort, Solynony; John Flotho, Ferapont; Scott Stunz, Fedotik; Jason Pollard, Rode; and Patrick Gouran, Chebutikin.

  “Three Sisters” will be presented by ISU Theatre Oct. 12 & 19 at 7:30 p.m., as well as Oct. 14 & 21, at 2 p.m. Each production will be held in the Fisher Theater on campus.

  Tickets are $14 for adults, $12 for seniors and $7 for students and children. All ISU Theatre tickets are available at the Iowa State Center Ticket office at 515-294-2479.
  

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