Photo Flash: First Look at Annie Baker's UNCLE VANYA at Antaeus Theatre

Anton Chekhov's UNCLE VANYA bursts with passion and fierce humor in Pulitzer Prize and three-time Obie Award-winning playwright Annie Baker's colloquial translation, adapted from a literal translation by Margarita Shalina and the original Russian text. The Antaeus Theatre Company presents the West Coast premiere of Baker's fresh new version in a fully partner-cast production. Robin Larsen directs the show, which opens tonight, October 15, at the Antaeus Theater in NoHo. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the casts in action below!

On a country estate, Vanya's monotonous existence is thrust into chaos by the arrival of his brother-in-law's beautiful new wife. Written with the "goal of creating a version that sounds to our contemporary American ears the way the play sounded to Russian ears during the play's first productions in the provinces in 1898," Baker's UNCLE VANYA introduces 21st century audiences to Chekhov's enduring wit, insight and emotional depth.

In the Antaeus tradition best known as "partner casting," two actors share every role, working together throughout the rehearsal process to enrich the creative experience for both cast and audience. In Uncle Vanya, the title role is shared by Arye Gross and Don R. McManus, with Harry Groener and Lawrence Pressman as Vanya's pompous and egotistical brother-in-law, Professor Serebryakov; Rebecca Mozoand Linda Park as Yelena, Serebryakov's beautiful young wife; Andrew Borba and Jeffrey Nordling as Astrov, the disillusioned country doctor; Shannon Lee Clair and Rebekah Tripp as Sonya, Serebryakov's daughter from a previous marriage; Anne Gee Byrd and Mimi Cozzens as Vanya's old mother, Maria;Morlan Higgins and Clay Wilcox as the impoverished landowner, Telegin; Dawn Didawick and Lynn Milgrim as Marina, an old nanny; and John Allee and Paul Baird as Yefim, a hired man.

Scenic design for Uncle Vanya is by Michael Raiford; lighting design is by Leigh Allen; costume design is by Jocelyn Hublau Parker; sound design is by Christopher Moscatiello; props design is by Adam Meyer; the dramaturg is Christopher Breyer; music director is Marvin Etzioni; and the production stage manager is Kristin Weber.

Performances of Uncle Vanya take place tonight, Oct. 15, through Dec. 6 on Thursdays and Fridays at 8 pm; Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sundays at 2 p.m. (no matinee performance on Saturday, Oct. 17). Talk back Thursdays begin on Oct. 22: stay after the performance and discuss the play with the cast. Six preview performances take place Oct. 8 through Oct. 14. Tickets are $30 on Thursdays and Fridays (except Oct. 15 and Oct. 16 which are $34 and include a post-performance reception), and $34 on Saturdays and Sundays. Preview tickets are priced at $15. The Antaeus Theatre Company is located at 5112 Lankershim Blvd in North Hollywood, CA 91601. Parking is available for $8 in the lot at 5125 Lankershim Blvd. (west side of the street), just south of Magnolia. The theater is air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible. For reservations and information, call 818-506-1983 or go to www.antaeus.org.

Photo Credit: Karianne Flaathen

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