Photo Flash: Greasy Joan & Co. Presents CHEKHOV'S LIFE IN THE COUNTRY

Greasy Joan & Co. launches its 13th year with the world-premiere comedy CHEKHOV'S LIFE IN THE COUNTRY, from short works by Anton Chekhov, with translations by Paul Schmidt, Ryan McKittrick and Julia Smeliansky, and directed by Interim Artistic Director Libby Ford. CHEKHOV'S LIFE IN THE COUNTRY will play Chicago's Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., November 7 through December 21, 2008.

Greasy Joan & Co. explores Chekhov in a hilarious and poignant romp that illustrates the life, love and lunacy of living in the country. Longed-for love, the claustrophobia of modern life, and the madness that keeps us apart from one another. CHEKHOV'S LIFE IN THE COUNTRY features the classic short story Lady with a Lapdog woven around three comedies: The Proposal, The Reluctant Tragic Hero and Dangers of Tobacco.

In The Proposal, a suitor's attempt to marry his neighbor's daughter violently derails as the trio obsessively quarrels over age-old land disputes and trivial minutia.  Elsewhere, a married man (The Reluctant Tragic Hero) explodes with frustration over the complications of leading a leisurely country life while keeping a job in the city.  The Dangers of Tobacco follows a family man's attempt to lecture on the evils of smoking as it careens off the rails, cataloging his fury over his lot in life.  Winding through these pieces is an adaptation of Chekhov's short story Lady with a Lapdog, tracing aging lothario Gurov's shattering love affair with a married woman that awakens him to the depth and feeling of true love just as it exposes him to the pain of a love limited by circumstance.
 
The cast of CHEKHOV'S LIFE IN THE COUNTRY includes:  Ilana Faust (Anna), Jason Huysman (Gurov), Neal Starbird (Lomov & Murashkin), Matthew Serbach (Cubukov & Nyukhin), Josh Sumner (Tolkachov) and Greasy Joan Affiliated Artist Kristina Klemetti (Natalia).  
 
CHEKHOV'S LIFE IN THE COUNTRY is from works by Anton Chekhov, translated by Paul Schmidt, Ryan McKittrick and Julia Smeliansky, and directed by Greasy Joan Interim Artistic Director Libby Ford. The production team includes:  Michelle Warner (sets), Lindsey Pate (costumes), Ryan Davies (lights), Tim Hill (sound/music), LaRonika Thomas (Dramaturg) and Sarah Idzik (stage manager).

CHEKHOV'S LIFE IN THE COUTNRY is sponsored by the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and the City of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs.
 
ABOUT GREASY JOAN & CO.

Greasy Joan & Co. re-imagines classic plays for the contemporary stage.  Their premiere adaptations and translations present fresh, innovative stagings of the classics. With a strong commitment to symbolic design, Greasy Joan productions create visually compelling theater.  They engage Chicago audiences in the greatness of the past through the imaginative interpretations of the present.  Founded in 1995 by a group of graduates from Harvard University's American Repertory Theater training program, Greasy Joan & Co. has received 13 Joseph Jefferson "Jeff" awards and nominations to date.
 
For more information on Greasy Joan & Co., call (312) 458-0718 or visit www.greasyjoan.org.

TICKET INFORMATION

CHEKHOV'S LIFE IN THE COUNTRY will run from November 9 through December 21, 2008, at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3:30 p.m. Ticket prices range from $12.50 to $25 ($12.50 for students) and are available by calling  773-404-7336, at www.greenhousetheater.org or at the Greenhouse Theater Center Box Office. Groups of 8 or more can receive a discount by calling (312) 458-0718.

A special benefit performance of CHEKHOV'S LIFE IN THE COUNTRY will be held on Saturday, December 6th at 8:30 p.m.  Benefit tickets cost $40 and include a post-play reception with the artists in the lobby.  Food and drinks included.  Reservations can be made by calling 773-404-7336.

Special $15 Industry Night Performance Monday, December 1st at 8:30 p.m.  Reservations can be made by calling 773-404-7336.
 
Post-play discussions are held every Sunday.
 
There is no performance on Thursday November 27th (Thanksgiving). 

Photos by Michael Brosilow

Neal Starbird and Kristina Klemetti

Ilana Faust and Jason Huysman

Neal Starbird and Josh Sumner

Matthew Sherbach