Family and friends gather for a group photograph in The Three Sisters, staged at McPherson Theatre with an unusual set without walls designed by Curtis Trout of the School of Theatre Arts.

Three Sisters at Illinois Wesleyan University

November 1, 2004

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – On board as the next mainstage performance at Illinois Wesleyan University this season is Anton Chekov’s Three Sisters, as translated by Paul Schmidt. Directed by IWU Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts Roger Bechtel, Three Sisters will be presented at The McPherson Theatre, 304 E. Graham St., Bloomington, from Nov. 16 –20 at 8:00 p.m. each evening with a matinee performance at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 21.

Tickets are $8 for the general public, $1 with a valid student I.D. They can be purchased from The McPherson Theatre Box Office at (309) 556-3232. The Box Office is open from 12:30-5:00 p.m. Monday, Thursday, and Friday; Tuesday from 12:30-2:30 p.m.; and Wednesday from 12:30-3:30 p.m.

Anton Chekov is widely acknowledged as writing some of the best dramas of the 20th century, however, at the turn of the century Chekov was widely misinterpreted because his plays make comedy out of hard Russian life. Known for deep psychological insight and profoundly human characterizations, Three Sisters portrays this very well and is regarded by many critics as his best drama.

Written in 1901 in four acts, the story centers on the three Prozorov sisters, Olga, Masha, and Irina. The sisters are lost in what they feel to be a dull life, dreaming only of someday moving back to Moscow, their childhood home. Their brother Audrey makes their life all the worse when he marries a young woman named Natasha, a local girl, who slowly takes control over the family. The sisters still hope for a better life though, and try to find love in the process.

Despite the play’s time difference from today’s world, critics see it as still vital to contemporary audiences.

Cast Members: Liz Olson and Sally Bell (Olga), Elizabeth Williams and Gil Weston (Masha), Stephanie Bliese and Annie DiMaria (Irina), Katie Genualdi and Brianna North (Natasha), Nikki Schuenke (Anfisa), Cyril Watson (Audrey), Matt Erickson (Kulygin), Brian DeCaluwe (Vershinin), Charles Haugland (Tuzenbach), John Taflan (Solyony), Don Denton (Chebutykin), Zach Bosteel (Ferapont), Adam Miller (Fedotik), Will Pat Dunham (Rohde), Sarah Bordson (Maid).

Production Team: Roger Bechtel (Director), Peter Gray (Assistant Director), Kate Anderson (Stage Manager), Jessica Pink (Assistant Stage Manager), Jen Houghton (Costume Designer), Taylar Kuzniar (First Assistant Costume Design), Brad Cain (Second Assistant Costume Design), Kelly Brit Shaw (Wardrobe Head), Megan Keach (Hair and Makeup), Noreen Snyder (Lighting Designer), Rob Carroll (Master Electrician), Curtis Trout (Scenic Designer), Megan Henderson (Assistant Scenic Designer), Armie Thompson (Technical Director), Peter Durkin (Properties), Lindsay Vrab (Assistant Properties), Brian Kowalski (Sound Designer), Nick Simon (Assistant Sound Designer), Lisa Karlin and Zach Zube (House Managers).

Contact: Leslie Boelter (309) 556-3181