[Capdist-announce] Anton Chekov’s “Uncle Vanya” Brings Bridge Street Theatre’s “Spring Classics” Series to a Close

[Steven Patterson]

The disruptive presence of a “retired” university professor and his
much-younger wife upsets the routine lives of the inhabitants of a rural
Russian estate, causing polite facades to crumble and long repressed
feelings to emerge with devastating consequences. Following hard on the
heels of its phenomenally successful production of Tennessee Williams' “The
Glass Menagerie”, Catskill’s acclaimed Bridge Street Theatre tackles yet
another classic of dramatic literature, Anton Chekhov’s haunting “Uncle
Vanya”. Irish playwright Conor McPherson provides a vibrant, earthy, and
surprisingly comedic new adaptation of this most intimate and heartbreaking
of Chekhov’s dramatic works, to be presented in BST’s 84-seat “Priscilla”
Mainstage, located at 44 West Bridge Street, for a two-weekend run May 9 –
19, 2024.

Featured in the magnificent ensemble cast are Eileen Schuyler (Nana),
Richard Neil (Astrov), Steven Patterson (Vanya), Eamon Martin (Telegin),
Abby Burris (Sonya), Mike Durkin (Serebryakov), Sarah Jayne Rothkopf
(Yelena), and Renee Hewitt (Mariya). Bridge Street Theatre Artistic and
Managing Director John Sowle directs, with set design by Carmen Borgia,
lighting design by Eric Leary, costumes by Michelle Rogers, and artwork
created by Eamon Martin. Production Stage Manager is Hannarose Manning.
This production of “Uncle Vanya” is sponsored in part by a generous
donation from Nina Matis.

When Conor McPherson’s new translation premiered in London’s West End in
2020, The Guardian’s five-star review called it “A shot in the arm … It
returns us to the great, mournful spirit of Chekhov’s tale about unrequited
love, aging, and disappointment in middle-age, while giving it a sleeker,
modern beat. McPherson’s script has a stripped, vivid simplicity which
quickens the pace of the drama, and despite its contemporary language –
Vanya swears and uses such terms as ‘wanging on’ – it does not grate or
take away from the melancholic poetry.” Surprising as well, in a way made
especially fresh in this new version, are the environmental concerns (right
there in the original) expressed by the play’s character Mikhail Astrov.
Plus, the play’s themes of isolation, dissatisfaction, and listlessness
seem to have taken on new resonance as the world  continues its struggle to
emerge from the COVID pandemic.

Bridge Street Theatre’s “Uncle Vanya” will be performed eight times only,
May 9-19, with performances Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30pm and
Sundays at 2:00pm. Discounted tickets can be purchased online for $28 at
bridgest.org/uncle-vanya-tickets/. Seats at the door are $30. For patrons
ages 18 and under, all tickets are $15. Additionally, any unsold seats for
the preview performance on Thursday evening May 9 and the Sunday afternoon
matinee on May 12 will be available at the door on a “Pay What You Will”
basis. Just show up before curtain time and pay whatever you feel you can
afford for any seat that’s not already taken. Doors always open at least
one-half hour before curtain time.

Experience one of the pillars of the modern theatre in a brilliant new
translation that the London Evening Standard called “A ‘Vanya’ for our
times.” Want more details? Just visit the theatre’s website at
bridgest.org/uncle-vanya/.




*Events at Bridge Street Theatre are supported in part by the New York
State Council on the Arts with the support of the Governor of New York and
the New York State Legislature and by Public Funds from the Greene County
Legislature. Bridge Street Theatre’s entire 2024 Season is sponsored by a
generous donation from Mary E. Barrett.   *

*Performance Calendar: *Bridge Street Theatre presents

*UNCLE VANYA *by Anton Chekhov
in a new adaptation by Conor McPherson
with Eileen Schuyler, Richard Neil, Steven Patterson, Eamon Martin, Abby
Burris, Mike Durkin, Sarah Jayne Rothkopf, and Renee Hewitt
Directed by John Sowle
Set Design by Carmen Borgia
Lighting Design by Eric Leary
Costumes by Michelle Rogers
Artwork by Eamon Martin
Production Stage Manager: Hannarose Manning
May 9-19, 2024
Bridge Street Theatre’s “Priscilla” Mainstage
44 West Bridge Street, Catskill, NY

Thursday May 9 @ 7:30pm (“Pay What You Will” preview)
Friday May 10 @ 7:30pm (Opening Night)
Saturday May 11 @ 7:30pm
Sunday May 12 @ 2:00pm (“Pay What You Will” performance)
Thursday May 16 @ 7:30pm
Friday May 17 @ 7:30pm
Saturday May 18 @ 7:30pm
Saturday May 19 @ 2:00pm (Closing performance)


*Tickets: *Advance tickets available at
https://bridgest.org/uncle-vanya-tickets/
General Admission $28, 18 & under $15
Tickets can also be purchased at the door prior to each performance (on a
space available basis) for $30, 18 & under $15
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