written by anton chekhov
a new version by sarah ruhl
based on a literal translation by elise thoron
with natalya paramonova and kristin johnsen-neshati
co-produced with yale repertory theatre
directed by les waters
main season | thrust stage
april 8–may 22, 2011
west coast premiere
Running time: 3 hours, including one 15 minute intermission
the play
Audiences and critics on both coasts embraced Eurydice and In the Next Room (or the vibrator play), two shows steeped in longing from playwright Sarah Ruhl and director Les Waters. Now this talented team turns its attention to a fresh translation of a masterpiece. Three Sisters by Anton Chekhov depicts an entire village of unlucky lovers struggling with the bittersweet distance between reality and dreams. Ruhl enlivens this classic with the same elegant understanding of intimacy that infused those earlier collaborations, while Waters and a cast of 14 deliver another sumptuous production. The West Coast premiere of this new adaptation explores the intertwined mysteries of denial and hope. Discover the humor and heartbreak of one of the world’s great plays, told anew through the lyricism of two leading voices in contemporary theatre.
the players
Anton Chekhov remains the most important dramatist in Russian history and one of the greatest playwrights of all times. His four final plays—The Cherry Orchard, The Seagull, Three Sisters and Uncle Vanya—are considered masterpieces of modern drama.
Sarah Ruhl has earned many honors including a MacArthur Fellowship and two nominations for the Pulitzer Prize. Her plays have been performed around the world in at least eight languages.
Les Waters is the associate artistic director of Berkeley Rep. In the last five years, his shows have ranked among the year’s best in The New Yorker, New York Times, Time Out New York, Time Magazine and USA Today.
the buzz
“Luminous! Working with a crisp, breezy new English version by Sarah Ruhl (based on a literal translation), Waters’ sterling cast brings Chekhov’s masterpiece to life as if it were taking place today. And 110 years ago. The action is as firmly grounded in 1901 by the actors’ behavior as by Ilona Somogyi’s provincial Russian gowns and Annie Smart’s exquisitely detailed doll’s house of a set…This is Chekhov orchestrated with the immediacy of Waters’ stagings of Ruhl’s Eurydice or In the Next Room. Its fierce beauty suffuses every moment and reaches for immortality.”—San Francisco Chronicle
“Exhilarating! Ruhl doesn’t call attention to herself here. Instead she lets the play breathe with a simple, unmannered approach to the drama that makes it seem shockingly contemporary. She’s faithful to the master dramatist, but she also opens the play up so that these Three Sisters speak to us as directly as if they lived next door. Waters’ production is remarkable for its lack of artifice. The ensemble brings a freshness to each moment, a sense of discovery that lets us hear the play anew. There’s a naturalness to the way the drama unfolds, the ebb and flow of the emotional outbursts, that leaves you breathless.”—San Jose Mercury News / Bay Area News Group
“Magnificent…Held the audience suspended in the liminal space between hope and despair; love and utter ambivalence as well as a bit of humor. Directed with consummate skill by Les Waters and performed by a splendid ensemble cast, Berkeley Rep’s Three Sisters is a powerful adaptation of Chekhov’s classic that captures the lyricism and ennui of his work in an accessible and compelling production that is sure to be talked about for years to come.”—Broadway World
“Beautifully staged, deeply compassionate…When you walk into the Thrust and drink in Annie Smart’s gorgeous set, it’s the first indication that we’re in good hands…Waters’ production pulls you in from the beginning and doesn’t let you go.”—Chad Jones’ Theater Dogs
“In Berkeley Rep fashion, it is a sensational dramatic presentation…classic drama at its very best.”—KGO-AM
multimedia
Discover why audiences and critics are falling in love with the Three Sisters. Will you be next?
from the blog
Candle, candle, burning bright
What does it take to have fire on stage?
An actor prepares: Firefighter makeup
See how one of the actors in Three Sisters applies his firefighter makeup.
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What are valenki anyway, and where can you find them?
