Publisher Description
In this classic of Chekhov’s canon, an overbearing professor pays a visit to his country estate, where Sonya and Vanya, his daughter and former brother-in-law, have slaved to maintain his wealth. But Vanya is enchanted by the professor’s new wife, while Sonya has fallen for the town’s melancholy doctor. Includes a conversation with Rosamund Bartlett, author of “Chekhov: Scenes from a Life.” Recorded in Los Angeles before a live audience at the UCLA James Bridges Theater in October 2013. Director: Rosalind Ayres Producing Director: Susan Albert Loewenberg An L.A. Theatre Works Full-Cast Performance Featuring: Jennifer Bassey as Mariya JD Cullum as Telegin Holley Fain as Yelena Martin Jarvis as Professor Serebryakov Stacy Keach as Vanya Anna Mathias as Marina Josh Radnor as Astrov Devon Sorvari as Sonya Associate Producers: Christina Montaño, Anna Lyse Erikson Recording Engineer/Sound Designer/Mixer: Mark Holden for The Invisible Studios, West Hollywood Sound Effects Artist: Sam Boeck Stage Manager: Tori Burnett Editor: Wes Dewberry
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"I read this because I was going to see the play (with Cate Blanchett as Yelena and Hugo Weaving as Astrov), and I've found that reading a play before seeing it really increases my enjoyment and deepens my understanding of the production itself and the director's and actors' choices. It's a very good play to read and it was a very enjoyable production, but the production to my mind less Chekov than a modern sex farce."
—
Shana (4 out of 5 stars)
About the Authors
Anton Chekhov (1860–1904), the author of hundreds of short stories and several plays, is regarded by many as both the greatest Russian storyteller and the father of modern drama. He described the Russian life of his time using a deceptively simple technique devoid of obtrusive literary devices, thereby becoming the prominent representative of the late nineteenth-century Russian realist school. His early stream-of-consciousness style strongly influenced the literary world, including writers such as James Joyce.
David Mamet is one of the foremost American playwrights. He has won a Pulitzer Prize and received Tony nominations for his plays, Glengarry Glen Ross and Speed-the-Plow. His screenwriting credits include The Verdict and The Untouchables.
About the Narrators
Martin Jarvis, OBE, has recorded more than 150 Just William stories for the BBC. These have become international
audio bestsellers. He won the Theatre World Award for his starring role on
Broadway in By Jeeves; his West End
appearances include works by Ayckbourn, Frayn, Pinter, and Wilde. Screen
successes include everything from Stargate
Atlantis, Doctor Who, and Numb3rs to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and the Oscar-winning Titanic.
Stacy Keach is perhaps best known for his portrayal of hard-boiled detective Mike Hammer. He played Ken Titus on the sitcom Titus, Warden Henry Pope in the hit series Prison Break, and has been seen in numerous film and stage productions. He won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Ernest Hemingway and starred as Richard Nixon in the US National Tour of Frost/Nixon. His performance in the title role of King Lear has received international acclaim.
Gabra Zackman is an actress, author, and narrator who has won several AudioFile Earphones Awards. She was educated at Northwestern University. A classically trained actress, she has appeared in theaters all over the country as well as on film and television.
Martin Jarvis, OBE, has recorded more than 150 Just William stories for the BBC. These have become international
audio bestsellers. He won the Theatre World Award for his starring role on
Broadway in By Jeeves; his West End
appearances include works by Ayckbourn, Frayn, Pinter, and Wilde. Screen
successes include everything from Stargate
Atlantis, Doctor Who, and Numb3rs to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and the Oscar-winning Titanic.
Devon Sorvari is an Earphones Award–winning and Audie Award–nominated narrator. She graduated from NYU’s Circle in the Square program and the Classical Studio. She has nationwide theater credits ranging from Shakespeare to musicals.