Playwrights Theatre of East Hampton at LTV Studios will present “Chekhov’s Shorts: A Funny Night at the Theater With a Bear and a Proposal” tomorrow at 7:30. The staged reading features two one-act farces written by Anton Chekhov in 1888-1889, “The Bear” and “A Marriage Proposal.” The production is directed by Paul Hecht.
“They were both written when he was very young,” said Mr. Hecht in a phone conversation. “He wasn’t even 30 yet, and, of course, years before the major plays we all know about, ‘The Seagull,’ ‘Uncle Vanya,’ and ‘The Cherry Orchard,’ possibly the greatest play ever written.”
In “The Bear,” Grigory Smirnov, a landowner, visits Elena Popova, a young widow, to collect a debt owed by her recently deceased husband. Their heated argument over money escalates to the point where the landlord calls for a duel. Popova agrees and goes off to get a pair of guns her husband owned. Meanwhile, Smirnov is so impressed by her audacity that he falls in love with her and makes his confession when she returns with the pistols.
In “A Marriage Proposal,” Ivan Lomov has come to propose marriage to Natalia, the 25-year-old daughter of his neighbor, Stepan Chubukov. After her father grants permission, she and Ivan get into an argument about a disputed piece of land. A hypochondriac, Ivan complains of palpitations and numbness. Natalia’s father revokes his permission and sends Ivan home. But Natalia breaks into hysterics, begging her father to bring Ivan back. When he returns, more arguments ensue.
Chekhov’s short farces were commercially successful, gaining popularity because of their comedic style and satirical nature. Of their success, he said, “I’ve managed to write a silly vaudeville, which owing to the fact that it is silly, is enjoying surprising success.” At the same time, the plays were subtly critical of societal norms and human foibles.
“These two plays are just wonderful, silly, short, amusing events,” said Mr. Hecht. “There will be vodka, there will be recorded balalaika music. These are not the dark Chekhovian dramas, which in fact he thought of as comedies.”
Mr. Hecht, who lives in Springs, is a well-known actor who received a Tony Award nomination for the Broadway production of “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead” in 1968 and an Obie Award for his portrayal of the title role of Pirandello’s “Enrico IV” at the Roundabout Theater in 1989. He played the title role of Cyrano in the world premiere of Anthony Burgess’s adaptation at the Old Guthrie, and has directed readings and plays at the 92nd Street Y.
In “The Bear,” Kate Mueth is cast as Elena Popova, John Kroft as Grigory Smirnov, and Dan Kelly as Luka, Elena’s footman. In “A Marriage Proposal,” Natalia is played by Daniela Mastropietro, Lomov by Max Samuels, and Chubukhov by Josh Gladstone.
Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door and $10 for students. Table seating is available for $35 and includes a drink.
East End Underground
LTV’s East End Underground Live Concert Series will return on Saturday at 7 p.m. with “Winter in the Hamptons: A Musical Trifecta,” an evening of local music.
Astro-Nauto, a.k.a. John Velsor, is a one-man band who sings, plays guitar, and plays three synthesizers, which he loops.
Also on the bill is Two 90s Kids, one of whom, Jody Gambino, is the show’s producer. Conan Doherty is the other. The audience can expect some originals, some ‘90s covers, and some ‘70s covers.
Whale/Heart also does originals and covers. “They have a ‘90s indie rock style,” said Mr. Gambino, who cited Pavement as one of their big influences. The group consists of Chris Clark (vocals/guitar), Matt Orlando (vocals/guitar), Devlin Webb (bass), Jack Marshall (keys), and Kevin Foran (drums).
Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door, and $15 for students and senior citizens.
Tickets for both programs are available at ltveh.org.
Whale/Heart
