Photo Flash: WCSU Theatre Arts Department Presents UNCLE VANYA

Anton Chekhov's classic 1898 play, "Uncle Vanya" comes to the stage at Western Connecticut State University this month. Presented by the university's Department of Theatre Arts, the show runs through October 21st. It takes place in the Studio Theatre of the Visual and Performing Arts Center on the university's Westside campus, 43 Lake Ave. Extension in Danbury. General admission is $20.

To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/uncle-vanya-tickets-45385142182 or call (203) 837-8732.

A popular plot summary describes a retired professor who has returned to his estate to live with his beautiful young wife, Yelena. The estate originally belonged to his late wife. Sonya, the professor's daughter, who is about the same age as his new wife, also lives on the estate. The professor is pompous, vain and irritable, and occasionally calls in a doctor named Astrov for gout issues. Astrov and Uncle Vanya both fall in love with Yelena, but she rejects them both. Meanwhile, Sonya is in love with Astrov, who fails to notice her. Finally, when the professor announces he wants to sell the estate, Vanya tries to kill him. Family conflict, unrequited love and darker motives play out in this newer rendition of the Russian play.

The Russian playwright Chekhov first published "Uncle Vanya" in 1898 and received its Moscow premiere in 1899 in a production by the Moscow Art Theatre, under the direction of Konstantin Stanislavski. The play was nominated for the Drama Desk Award Outstanding Revival of a Play in 2000 and the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Revival in 1992. It won the 2003 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Revival and the story has been adapted for various films and opera performances.

The cast includes Joseph Calabrese, of Harwinton, as Vanya; John J. Mudgett, of Danbury, as Serebryakov; Jillian Caillouette, of Meriden, as Sonia; Alicia Napolitano, of Woodbury, as Yelena; Sam Rogers, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, as Astrov; Jason Keane, of Trumbull, as Telegin; Kat Karl, of Redding, as Marya; Caleign Rose Lozito, of Bristol, as Marina; Brian O'Sullivan, of Montville, as Workman/Guitar; and Chris Planninschek, of Cheshire, as Yefim.

The crew includes: Production Manager and Technical Director Thomas Swetz, Set Designer Maiko Chii, Lighting Designer Scott Cally, Sound Designer Arielle Edwards and Costume Designer Joni Johns Lerner.

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