New twist on Russian classic
Next week’s theater production takes the audience on a trip to Russia, where Anton Chekov’s play "Three Sisters" was written. The classic play is set in 1901, but director and theater professor Nick Crisafulli has added a few modern twists.
"Every director has his or her own style… it’s a very realistic play but Nick incorporating some very unrealistic, abstract things," theater professor Robin Roberts said.
Roberts, who has directed many of the department’s plays will be on stage during the upcoming production as the military director, Chebutykin.
Junior Zach Morris, who plays Andrey, describes Crisafulli as "an abstract guy." His vision for this play, Morris said, is "very conceptual."
"I’ve never done a show that wasn’t entirely portrayed in the time that it was done," he said.
The modern music and movement brings a contemporary air that Morris said is all finally "molding into place." He said the play requires a bit more thought than the previous shows he has done. Roberts, he said, has been very by-the-book.
"Nick challenges you… to figure a lot of it out on your own," Morris said. "It’s a whole lot more creative."
Roberts said he auditioned because he knew the play had several male parts, but generally more women audition than men.
"I told [Crisafulli ]… keep this in mind… if it gets to auditions and you don’t have enough men, I’ll be happy to try out," he said.
Robert’s has grown his beard out for the part and said he tries to portray his character realistically. He said he could have easily taken this man who is described as a drunk and portrayed just that, but he wants to keep Chekov’s vision of the character and still convey that "what characters say about him offstage is true."
Junior Rachel Konchinsky-Pate said her character is "truly hopeless" and she has never played a character like that. She plays Masha, a married woman who begins an affair.
Konchinsky-Pate said she’s only ever done "kissing scenes" and this play will present her first intimate love scene on stage. She said she relies heavily on her opposite, Craig Parker, who plays her lover, Vershinin.
Konchinsky-Pate said she believes that Crisafulli chose the correct part for every actor in the production and that it’s proving to be a "great ensemble effort." The freshman class is becoming better represented in the theatre program, according to Morris. He said about seven or eight freshmen are either in this play or interested in being in a future production, which is a significant increase from Morris’ first year. He hopes that he has had a similar influence on the freshman that the upperclassman had on him when he was in their shoes.
Konchinsky-Pate said the audience will be required to give some mental effort and reflection. She said that this play is good for college students to see because they’re "the ones that still have their life ahead of them" and can learn from what the sisters are going through.
"There’s no covering up the truth that everyone is very unhappy," Konchinsky-Pate said, "which I think is Chekov’s way of saying ‘no one will ever be happy.’"
According to Konchinsky-Pate, Crisafulli thinks Chekov is "really funny". She said Crisafulli explained that the show has a universal message which transcends time.
"The themes are still relevant today," Roberts said. "The idea that you’re yearning for something. I think that’s relevant to a very contemporary audience."
