Steadstyle Chicago
	March 2008 Theatre Review by Ruth Smerling
	Looking for a Ticket Broker? Check out the hottest broadway tickets from Gotickets.com TUTA's Uncle Vanya is Brilliant Critical Evaluation: **** out of ****   (Left) Trey Maclin; (Right) Jacqueline Stone and Stacie Beth Green in Anton Chekhov's "Uncle Vanya," presented by TUTA Theatre Chicago.  Photos by Vojkan Radonjic. The Utopian Theatre Asylum (TUTA) presents two hours of intense and refreshing entertainment with Chekhov’s "Uncle Vanya," directed by Zelijko (pronounced Jayco) Djukic and translated from the Russian by Steppenwolf ensemble member Yasen Peyankov and Peter Christensen at the Chopin Theatre in the heart of Wicker Park.   Described as a black comedy, "Uncle Vanya" is Chehkov’s jaded glimpse of life on the palatial country estate of a retired professor, played by the distinguished and acclaimed veteran actor Gary Houston.  At the risk of offending the offspring of countless Imperialist Russians, Russian names will not even be attempted.  The loss is not so great.  The characters are so vivid and individual, names hardly even contain them.  Gary Houston never skips a beat as the elderly, ailing professor.  At one time he was an academic authority, often consulted for his expert opinion.  Now he’s reduced to a quivering husk of aches and pains.  His cries and complaints become almost as excruciating to his family – his beautiful 27-year-old wife, Elena (Stacie Beth Green) and his plain daughter, Sonya (Jacqueline Stone).   Frantic, they send for Dr. Astrov (Andy Hager).  After attempting examination, Dr Astrov is shouted out by the agonized professor as a charlatan.  Dr. Astrov says he has gout, the professor believes its rheumatism causing his pain.  But Dr. Astrov is an old friend of the family and Nurse Marina (Joan Merlo) insists that he stay for a drop of vodka. The house is the property of Maria, the mother and the mother of the professor’s first wife.  She lives there with her son, Ivan or Vanya (Trey Maclin), Sonya’s uncle.  Elena, the professor’s beautiful young wife, has Vanya beside himself and feeling like a failure.  The more he begs for her affection, the harder she fights him off and insists that she is in love with her husband despite his age and incapacity.  She insists that they have a deeper bond than Vanya could ever imagine.  Dr. Astrov is a blessing and a curse on the family.  He’s as angry and frustrated as everyone shackled to the estate, but gets out to all the families in the area.  He treats the wealthy and poor alike.  He seems to have a little more perspective than the rest.  Unfortunately Dr. Astrov likes to drink.  When he’s had a little too, not only does he become noisy, he talks too much.  He confronts Vanya with the futility of his situation and stirs him to near violence.    Sonya, designated as the plain daughter, yet played by the lovely, earthy Jacqueline Stone (go figure!) adores Dr. Astrov.  She does not understand that he is as kind and caring to Sonya as he is to anyone else.  He’s just being a doctor.  His work is not done until he enables Elena to see what she really wants.  Andy Hagar is superb as Dr. Astrov, the healer who is only human.  He is part of the family, but at the same time would not involve himself in their problems for all the money in the world.  His performance is the center of gravity.  But he only steals the show because of the hardworking and talented supporting cast.    No one skimps on emotion, grimace and despair.  Keith Parham’s lighting design softly creates the feeling of a nice day in a troubled home.  Ingenious set design by Martin Andrew employs movement rather than costly sets to allow a full view of the house.  By simply moving the dining table and the clock in each scene, the people seem to be shifting from one end of the room to another.  Costume designer Natasha Vuchurovich Djukich did a great job of recreating the subtle and intricate designs that separate the different classes of people on the estate.  Each character is garbed to look both presentable and comfortable enough to spend a day at home.  Director Zeljiko Djukich takes Chekhov’s work off the dry pages and creates a breathtaking work of art.  "Uncle Vanya" never has a dull moment.  Anyone wishing to learn about the work of Chekhov has a great opportunity by visiting The Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division Street.  "Uncle Vanya" continues through April 13, 2008.  Visit www.tutato.com for tickets and information or phone 847-217-0691.     About Ruth Smerling Ruth Smerling began work as an entertainment writer while attending the prestigious University of Illinois School of Communications.  She persuaded the school paper to assign her to review the film "Get Shorty," starring John Travolta.  Unfortunately her work was a little too brutal for the UIC paper and that was also her last assignment.  Nevertheless, the need to write and communicate could not be extinguished and fortunately her reviews received a warm welcome by the Editor-In-Chief of College News, Daphne Robinson who named her the Reel Goddess from 1993 to 2003.  Ruth covered film festivals all over the North America and interviewed countless movie stars, directors and authors.  Meeting the French Director Bertrand Tavernier at the Chicago Film Festival was the turning point in her movie reviewing experience.  He presented a brilliant film called "It All Starts Today".  He explained that she loved his films so much because American films are enjoyable, but must sell as much popcorn and Coca-Cola as they do tickets.  Since 2003 Ruth has been submitting controversial and thought provoking reviews to Theatreworld Internet Magazine and is pleased to report that people around the world send her e-mails inquiring about Chicago theatre, actors, directors and productions underway.  Ruth is delighted to be part of the Steadstyle website and looks forward to a long and happy association.