Joely Richardson plays a dying wife in Chehov’s saga of a sorrowful Russian
BY MICHAEL SOMMERS
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
OFF BROADWAY REVIEW
Ethan Hawke wrenchingly explores the manic highs and bleakest lows of a 1880s Russian gentleman struggling against depression in “Ivanov” at Classic Stage Company.
Hawke’s stormy performance in the anguished title role of Anton Chekhov’s rarely-staged 1888 drama is accompanied by the sterling work of other fine actors in director Austin Pendleton’s silvery revival.
Opening on Sunday at CSC’s intimate theater, “Ivanov” further benefits from the ripe Russian quality of Carol Rocamora’s translation, abetted by the elegant looks of Santo Loquasto’s spare setting and Marco Piemontese’s exquisite period clothes.
“Ivanov” represents Chekhov writing in a bolder, more satirical vein than in his wistful classics. A self-torturing soul who Hawke was born to play, Ivanov is a formerly well-off and idealistic gent who now finds his life a mess in his middle 30s. He is broke, has guiltily fallen out of love with his wife Anna – who is dying of consumption – and generally lost his way.
