Review: St. Louis Actors' Studio's Amusing IVANOV

IVANOV is a formative work in the canon of Anton Chekhov. He was presenting us with the situations and character types we'd come to know and understand, but with the lack of irony that often permeates his material. The St. Louis Actors' Studio has put together a splendid evening of entertainment with their superbly performed and directed production. However, it should be noted that this is a translation by Tom Stoppard, and thus, should be viewed with that in mind. Adaptations are tricky enough on their own, but when you're dealing with a play written in another language, you're often relying on a literal translation in order to produce your take. And, that's precisely what this is. It's Tom Stoppard's IVANOV, full of unexpected humor and nicely etched characterizations, but far afield from Chekhov's early foray, which he himself revised after its initial premier. Either way, this is worth checking out, and surprisingly amusing.

Stoppard doesn't tidy up anything by Chekhov, at least going by the literal translation, but he does use language that might otherwise not be present, or even appropriate. That's important to note because it changes the overall tone. And, maybe that's a good thing. It's hard enough to watch a group of individuals who are mostly flawed dullards complain about how bored they are, without injecting a bit of levity to lighten the load. Here it works. And, that's a good thing. It allows director Wayne Salomon the opportunity to mine this somber tale for all the comic gold he can muster. Thankfully, he also has a very solid cast, who know a thing or two about comedy and drama, to work with, which makes for an enjoyable ride all around.

Drew Battles is good as the melancholy, overly indebted, government official and wayward husband, Ivanov, while Julie Layton deals with a probable case of consumption as his ailing wife, Anna. B. Weller is sharp as always as Ivanov's friend, Lebedev, and Bobby Miller utilizes his superb timing as his crotchety uncle Shabelsky. Alexandra Petrullo catches our attention and Ivanov's as the limpid-eyed Sasha, and so does Reginald Pierre as Lvov, an overbearing doctor, who resolves to reveal Ivanov's intentions. Teresa Doggett is splendid as Lebedev's money-lending wife, Zinaida, and Cara Barresi is fine as Babakina, the young widow who tussles with Shabelsky. David Wassilak also delivers as the scheming Borkin. The cast also includes fine support from Shannon Nara (Lipa), Jan Meyer (Avdotya), Clayton Burry (Yegorushka), and Leerin Campbell (Gavrila).

Wayne Salomon's direction keeps the pace hopping, which is important for the rather languid readings I've encountered in previous incarnations. Carla Landis Evans pulls double duty with lovely costumes and props, while Patrick Huber creates a spartan, but appealing scenic design that he also lights well.

Check out the St. Louis Actors' Studio's staging of IVANOV. It continues through May 1, 2016.