at the Gene Bua
Acting for Life Theatre
Touted as an interpretation incorporating "ethnic nuance," wherein the fabled Prozorov siblings are portrayed as and by "hapa" actors—a term referring to multiethnic people of partially Asian or Pacific Islander ancestry—this Los Angeles premiere of Paul Schmidt's translation promises a bit more than it delivers. Yes, the idea of multiculturalism is apparent in the casting of the titular roles and some minimal nods by set designer Mina Kinukawa's use of oriental upholstery and black lacquered furniture, but that's pretty much all she wrote.
This is not to say there isn't nice work by this exciting ensemble under the guidance of Alina Phelan. Leading the pack is Elizabeth Liang in the volatile role of middle sister Masha. Her disdain for the love of her schoolteacher husband, Kulygin, played with puppylike devotion by Trevor H. Olsen, is palpably intense as she falls into the arms of Chris Payne Gilbert portraying Vershinin, the dashing army commander. Meanwhile, Russell Edge's rendering of Baron Tuzenbach—suitor to the youngest sister, Irina (Millie Chow)—and Jonathan Klein as Solyony, an acerbically dry soldier, are textbook examples of subtle perfection. And for good old-fashioned scene-stealing, no one in this company holds a candle to Lucy Owen, who owns the stage as the family's manipulative sister-in-law, Natasha.
Given the dull, plodding preconception most audience members may have of Chekhov's works, Phelan and company's highlighting of Act One's comic moments is refreshingly brisk. Surely, it must be the party scenes' lighthearted tones that facilitate this wonderful ebb and flow as focus bounces like a champion Ping-Pong match. Unfortunately things begin heading south in Act Two as Chekhov orchestrates the tragic destruction of his characters' dreams and aspirations. Fairly overwrought displays of emotional angst result as the soldiers leave for a distant encampment and Irina copes with the duel-induced death of the Baron—lots of pacing and shrieking here. Eventually the show, like its slightly Asian-influenced conceptualization, simply peters out, unable to surmount its previously arrived at histrionic zenith.
Presented by HapaLis Productions in association with Theatre of NOTE at the Gene Bua Acting for Life Theatre, 3435 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank. Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Nov. 4-Dec. 11. (323) 938-7491.
Reviewed by Dink O'Neal
