Quotidian Theatre Company Announces Two Chekhov-Inspired Plays

Following this spring's successful run of Brian Friel's Irish drama Dancing at Lughnasa, The Quotidian Theatre Company pays tribute this July and August to one of its signature playwrights, Anton Chekhov, with a pair of one-act plays inspired by the Russian master, including a world-premiere adaptation.

In the first, Friel's Afterplay, the famed Irish Tony-winner imagines a 1920s scene in which two of Chekhov's most enduring and endearing characters from two of his most important plays meet by chance. Uncle Vanya's niece Sonya is the only customer in a small Moscow café until the arrival of Andrey, brother of the Three Sisters. Afterplay provides a touching coda for these compelling characters. The play features Quotidian favorites Michele Osherow and David Dubov, and is directed by Quotidian's Founding Artistic Director Jack Sbarbori.

The second offering, A Little Trick, is a new stage work translated and adapted by Sbarbori and Quotidian Co-Founder Stephanie Mumford from Chekhov's short story of the same name. In this brief but moving memory play, the narrator tells of the young lady who might have been the love of his life. A Little Trick features Jonathan Feuer and Sara Dabney Tisdale, with violinist Christine Kharazian, directed by Stephanie Mumford.

The production aims for the honesty and attention to detail Quotidian's audience has come to expect, as well as the accessible style for which the Company has become known.

The Company's production of Afterplay, plus A Little Trick runs July 20 - August 19. Showtimes are Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm, with one added 2pm performance on Saturday, August 18. Both plays are presented in tandem, bridged by an intermission.

Tickets are $25, or $20 for students or seniors, paid for at the door by cash or check only, please. Call 301-816-1023 or email quotidiantheatre@comcast.net to reserve.

All performances are held at The Writer's Center: 4508 Walsh Street, Bethesda, MD 20815. There is ample parking across the street (free on weekends), and the theatre is just five blocks away from the Bethesda Metro Station on the red line.

In addition to our production of Afterplay and A Little Trick, Quotidian Theatre Company is also announcing two special events:

At 7:30pm on Monday, July 23, Quotidian offers a free play reading of The Yalta Game, Brian Friel's adaptation of Anton Chekhov's short story The Lady with the Lap Dog. The reading features Quotidian favorites Steve Beall and Laura Russell, and is directed by their colleague Michael Avolio. Anyone attending the reading will receive a "buy one get one free" coupon for tickets to Afterplay and A Little Trick. The reading will be held at Flashpoint's Mead Theatre Lab: 916 G St NW, Washington, DC 20001.

Scott Holden's one-man comedy show An Open Letter to My Wife's Next Husband will be performed at The Writer's Center at 7pm on Sunday, July 29. This is a Benefit for the Low Vision Center of Bethesda. Tickets are $20, available through Scott Holden at sholden28@verizon.net.

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