On Feb. 17, Carlsbad’s New Village Arts Theatre added another three sisters to its rotating repertory of two important comedy/dramas of the past century. In the case of the newcomers, they’re Anton Chekhov’s “Three Sisters,” who join Beth Henley’s three in “Crimes of the Heart” to complete what must be termed a not-to-be-missed Event with a capital E.
Three fetching, accomplished and award-winning San Diego women of the theater, Jessica John, Kristianne Kurner and Amanda Sitton, play the sisters in each case. Wendy Waddell portrays the hard-to-take sister-in-law in each play.
It is difficult to say which production is superlative. All the characters are finely drawn by the playwrights and marvelously etched by John, Kurner and Sitton. Though separated from “Crimes of the Heart” by 80 years, the Chekhov play (here performed in Brian Friel’s lyrical translation) is undeniably more affecting, at least in the opinion of this experienced theatergoer.
“The Three Sisters” concerns the Prozorov sisters and their brother Andrey (the excellent Tom Zohar), stranded on an estate in provincial Russia, having moved from Moscow 11 years prior to the play’s beginning. Their father, the cause of the move, has been dead one year. All long to return to the big city, particularly the youngest, 20-year-old Irina, played by Sitton, surely one of the city’s finest. Kurner portrays the eldest, Olga, destined to be an old maid schoolteacher. John portrays Masha, unhappily married to Kulygin (the heartbreaking Manny Fernandes), a pedantic, poetry-spouting boor of a schoolmaster who worshipfully, painfully loves her.
Boredom’s only relief is the nearby presence of a military garrison; it is a longstanding tradition for the men to take meals with the Prozorovs, providing intellectual and cultural stimulation (Zohar plays the wonderfully out of tune piano and is joined in the music making by two young Soldiers (Adam Brick and Kristian Mertz). All sing.
Baron Tusenbach (sweetly played by Daren Scott) unrequitedly loves Irina, despite the threats and jealousy of Captain Solyony (scary John Garcia). A longtime household resident is Doctor Chebutykin (Ron Choularton), an alcoholic wastrel and unrequited lover of the late Mme. Prozorov.
Add to this mix the recently posted, married father of two, Colonel Vershinin (Francis Gercke, who also directs), who visited the Prozorovs when the sisters were very young. He promptly falls in love with Masha. Their affair is just one case of infidelity that takes place in the household over the five-year span of the play. The other is Natasha’s (Waddell) with an unseen government official.
Gradually, the interloper Natasha gains control over her husband, the household servants and the distribution of bedrooms. She is roundly hated, but no one has the guts to confront her except Olga. My companion complained that Waddell was too “today” in her portrayal, but I believe it was intentional. In Chekhov’s plays there is always an outside influence that represents the future.
While Vershinin (obviously Chekhov’s mouthpiece) philosophizes about the meaning of life, our transience and how we shall be remembered, the future (revolution and chaos and the end of the privileged class) rears its head. This interpretation is perhaps one of Gercke’s most brilliant directorial strokes.
This elegant, tight-knit ensemble, beautifully costumed by Jessica John, is not to be missed. New Village Arts continues its tradition of excellence and daring in the pairing and execution of these two diverse plays, both of which have huge hearts.
On Sundays through March 18, both productions may be seen in one day at the Studio Space at Jazzercize Inc., 2460 Impala Drive, Carlsbad ” “Crimes” at 2 p.m. and “Sisters” at 7 p.m. This affords a generous dinner break. Other performances at 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. Theater mavens must see this excellent work (tickets $20-$22 for each performance): visit www.newvillagearts.org or call (760) 433-3245.
