Chekhov in Shorts

A Vaudeville brings the comedic short stories of literary master Anton Chekhov to the stage in an original translation and adaptation by Diane Benedict. For dates and show times, visit lbshakespeare.org.

Chekhov in Shorts brings short stories of Anton Chekhov together. In “The Bear” Popova has locked herself in the house since her husband’s death. Unable to pay her dead husband’s debt, she is embroiled in an argument with a landlord, Smirnov. In the end Smirnov falls in love with Popova and a kiss arrives only after much argument.

In "The Marriage Proposal," a long-time neighbor, Lomov, asks Stepan for his daughter, Natalya’s, hand in marriage. After receiving the father’s blessing, Natalya is asked to join them. Natalya & Lomov argue about the mundane, as Lomov collapses from exhaustion. The proposal is accepted with a kiss and their marriage begins with yet another argument.

Woven cleverly through the two one-acts is Chekhov's well-crafted short story, "The Bet." A lawyer and a banker who concoct a bet with one another regarding whether or not life in prison was better than receiving the death penalty.

Please note that this production contains the use of guns.

Chekhov is celebrated as one of the greatest playwrights of all time and a master of the modern short story. His works are gems in theater history, capturing the life, stillness and longing of complicated bonds through blood and friendship in the big and small moments explored on the page and stage of all of Chekhov’s canon. The Chekhov Shorts are not so hidden adaptations of treasures that patrons will love to discover and enjoy.