I loved,
loved, loved it!
At the door, proof of Chekhov scholarship was not required.
Non-stop laughter filled the SRO auditorium for 90 minutes with a promised "happy ending" as in the title, Lady With a Lapdog With Jokes and a Happy Ending.
It was.
Washington, D.C. needed it.
From scene
to non-sequitur scene the transitions flowed as smoothly as clouds changing colors on a March day while Chekhov played on.
Excellent music, sound effects, lighting, and costumes all contributed to the dynamism of the production beginning with a beach scene where an actor in swim
gear sang on the shore, soon occupied by other
beachgoers, some to doff their clothes and "dive in."
Splashy lighting magnified the reflections of ocean ripples amidst the always welcome sound of waves that echoed throughout the chamber.
And there was music.
Splashy lighting magnified the reflections of ocean ripples amidst the always welcome sound of waves that echoed throughout the chamber.
And there was music.
Although the actors promised a "happy ending," alas, there was none until they made it so:
"You have a splinter in your finger? Be happy it's not in two fingers!"
All this and more (Buster Keaton slapstick, action, opera, lots of sex) by a cast which wove in and out of changing sets and roles in gaily colored costumes wearing huge smiles.
They do have a good time which rubs off on the audience and doesn't that make for a fine performance? Enjoy!
The Russian Arts Theater & A Studio are based in New York City where members
direct acting classes and present old and new works at the new soon-to-be home at the former McAlpin Hall, West 86th and Amsterdam.
Their mission: “To preserve, promote and advance Russian arts and heritage in New York City” and “train a new generation of imaginative, innovative, and sincere artists capable of servicing the mission for generations to come.” TRATS was founded in 2004 and its studio is modeled after the Moscow Academy of Theater Arts.
Aleksey Burago adapted Chekhov's stories and directed Michael Dona, Roman Freud, Conor Andrew Hall, Ariel Polanco, Flavio Romeo, Luisa Menzen, Tom Schubert, Lana Stimmler and Di Zhu, managing director.
These are Russians? Sad, colorless Russians? Nyet!
My next stop in NYC: 86th West and Amsterdam!
patricialesli@gmail.com
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