| Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving and More Set for Kennedy Center's Theater Look-in Discussion Series - Playbill (11aug11) |
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Playbill The Kennedy Center's Theater Look-in series will continue Aug. 16 with an inside look at the Sydney Theatre Company's production of Uncle Vanya, which officially opened at the Kennedy Center's Eisenhower Theater Aug. 6. The 5 PM event in the Family Theater will include appearances by Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Richard Roxburgh, Hayley McElhinney and John Bell, who will offer "an insider's look, complete with lively discussion and the opportunity to ask questions of the artists." Directed by renowned Chekhov interpreter Tamás Ascher, the cast features John Bell as Serebryakov, Cate Blanchett as Yelena, Sandy Gore as Maria, Hayley McElhinney as Sonya, Anthony Phelan as Telegin, Richard Roxburgh as Vanya, Andrew Tighe as a laborer, Jacki Weaver as Marina and Hugo Weaving as Astrov. This adaptation of the Chekhov classic was penned by Andrew Upton. The production premiered in Australia at Sydney Theatre in November 2010. "On a dilapidated, remote farm Uncle Vanya (Richard Roxburgh) and his niece Sonya (Hayley McElhinney) have worked slavishly for years to sustain an estate in decline. Now Professor Serebryakov (John Bell) and his wife Yelena (Cate Blanchett) have returned to visit, bringing with them chaos and disruption," according to press notes. "Constant visits from the charismatic Astrov (Hugo Weaving) are not helpful. Lunch is no longer served at lunch time — now it is procrastinated until dusk — work is forgotten and the long, cool nights have become sleepless. From this hotbed of disarray grow three consuming love affairs, each of which is destined to wither in disappointment before it has reached bloom. It is in this climate of frustration and thwarted hopes that the Professor chooses to announce a shocking plan."
The production also features set design by Zsolt Khell, costume design by Györgyi Szakács, lighting design by Nick Schlieper and music and sound design by Paul Charlier. Tickets for the Theater Look-in, priced $12, are available by visiting www.kennedy-center.org.
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