Chekhov/Tolstoy: Love Stories
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Cititour.com Review
Russian interference is definitely a problem in our political world, but theatrically, one usually eagerly awaits a visit from that nation’s great literary masters, notably Anton Chekhov and Leo Tolstoy. However, in the case of the Mint Theater’s “Chekhov/Tolstoy: Love Stories,” two one-acts adapted by Miles Malleson now at Theatre Row, there’s no need greet them with flowers or champagne – in part because the material is somewhat lightweight, and in part, due to the less-than-perfect execution of these pieces. Nonetheless, one can still be glad the folks at the Mint have put out the proverbial welcome mat.
The evening’s opener, Chekhov’s “The Artist,” directed languorously by Mint founder Jonathan Bank, suffers mostly from rather egregious miscasting in a central role, which throws the enterprise off-balance. Embittered, purposeless painter Alexander Nicov (a truly excellent Alexander Soklilov) has finally find some renewal of spirit after six months in the country, in no small part because he’s fallen for the sweet-natured, well-off Genya (Anna Lentz), although the two take the whole play to declare their rather obvious love for one another.
However, the obstacle between them isn’t their age difference or Nicov’s lack of money, but Genya’s strong-willed sister, Lidia (Brittany Annika Liu). Her overwhelming desire to “do good” in the world leaves little room for the value of art and artists – leading to a very heated philosophical debate between the pair that will have more than theoretical consequences. Sadly, Liu has the passion of a wet dish rag, an extremely contemporary delivery of her words, and none of the primal force that ultimately proves to be an insurmountable barrier between Nicov and Lidia.
Tolstoy’s “Michael,” directed ably by Jane Shaw, fares somewhat better – especially if you haven’t figured out the actual identity of the title character (perfectly embodied by the physically imposing Malik Reed) before the rather prolonged denouement. We first meet him as a mute, naked beggar brought home by the good-natured Simon (a fine J. Paul Nichols) to the immediate dismay of his exasperated wife (an excellent Katie Firth) who hardly need another mouth to feed given the couple’s already desperate circumstances.
Like “The Artist,” this play also examines, albeit superficially, the differences between the poor and the rich, here in the personage of a haughty Count (Sokilov) who demands a pair of long-lasting boots from Simon and Michael – with a hefty financial reward for success and the threat of prison for failure.
And while the work doesn’t go so far as to say the poor are happy or the meek shall inherit the earth, by showing us the cheerfulness of the family’s child-like elderly servant Aniuska (the legendary Vinie Burrows) or the blissful demeanor of a woman raising two adopted children (Liu, faring better in this small role), Tolstoy does his damnedest to remind us money isn’t everything.
So yes, we can learn something from the Russians other than how to rig foreign elections.
By Brian Scott Lipton
Visit the Site
https://minttheater.org/production/chekhov-tolstoy-love-stories/
Cast
Vinie Burrows, Katie Firth, Anna Lentz, Sam Morales, J. Paul Nicholas, Malik Reed, and Alexander Sokovikov
Open/Close Dates
Opening 2/10/2020
Closing 3/14/2020
Theatre Info
Theatre Row
410 W. 42nd St
New York, NY 10036
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