American Players Theatre: Uncle Vanya
David Daniel, Casey Hoekstra, Leslie Brott, and Marcus Truschinski
American Players Theatre Presents UNCLE VANYA Review - Weirdos, Idiots, and Vodka
TLDR: Taking a lighter tone than perhaps traditionally done with Chekhov’s works, this new translation by APT company member, Nate Burger, creates a different lens to view Uncle Vanya in. Instead of gray, stoic, and depressing, we’re treated to more character introspection and realizing their eccentricities rather than succumbing to hopelessness.
Maggie Cramer and Tracie Lane
We’re All Just A Bunch of Weirdos and Idiots
Looking at the cozy interior stretching before us with wood paneling, a teapot warming, and trees rustling in the background, we feel like we could be in the middle of the countryside. But all is not as peaceful and content as the set feels.
An out of place, modern phrase that seems strange for a Chekhov play, is uttered - “weirdo”. There are many words that can be universally translated, like love, war, and peace, for example. In fact, I’m sure there’s probably variations of “idiot” in every language as well. But I'm curious if there's a direct translation for “weirdo” from Russian.
In this new translation of Uncle Vanya by APT company member Nate Burger, we’re thrown into a world where everyone slowly realizes they may in fact just be a weirdo. Everyone has their own beliefs, wants, and desires that impact their actions. So while nothing “happens” plotwise to this family in their country home, we see lots of introspection as they try to figure out the best way forward while the world is changing around them.
Seeing Through A Different Lens
Continuing American Players’ trend of putting a different lens and focus on older works, this production of Uncle Vanya seems brighter, both in design and tone.
The utterer of the initial “weirdo” is Casey Hoekstra as Doctor Astrov. While he seems to have the most reason for a pessimistic outlook on life as one surrounded by death and poor health most of the time, when he speaks about his love of nature and the power humans can hold over it, we feel a glow. He looks off into the distance as he speaks passionately about the changes he can make to see life grow - not eating meat and planting new trees. It makes him a “weirdo” for his time, unless he finds others who relate to that same feelings.
Marcus Truschinski as Vanya comes out looking like he's just woken up from a deep sleep and has no idea what year it is, bottle of vodka in hand. He’s recovering from his realization that the man he's idolized for so long is no smarter than himself. Every hope he had for the future is dashed and he must reckon with this newfound realization.
When Brian Mani as Professor Serebryakov visits the estate with his second wife, he throws the entire family out of whack. He plays the idealized man who has risen in his position without any real credentials coming in with an idea that doesn't really help anybody at all, but doesn't understand why no one else loves it. He comes across not as conniving or self-centered, but more so out of touch.
And Tracie Lane plays Yelena as brightly optimistic, trying to find meaning for her life - more ingénue than gold digger or opportunist. She tries to make herself fit into what will be their new life in the country. Opposite her is Maggie Cramer as Sonya, the daughter of the professor who manages the estate while also trying to keep the peace in the house.
Casey Hoekstra, David Daniel, and Marcus Truschinski
Late Night Vulnerability
Together Cramer and Lane create one of the most charming and vulnerable moments in Uncle Vanya. When they both can’t sleep and find the dregs of the men’s raucous night, they grab the bottle of unfinished wine, sit down on the rug, and pour each other a glass. It feels like a sleepover as they stay up late into the night and talk about their deepest desires, fears, and search for happiness.
And when the men, all distraught from their perceived lots in life, come in soaking wet from the storm, they also have their moment. David Daniel as Waffles, has us affectionately pitying him as he carries his guitar around providing ambient music alongside his defiant code of honor. He along with Hoekstra rouse Vanya out of his ruminatings and the men share a song creating this unhinged but relatable scene.
But while there’s this different lens and tone to Uncle Vanya, have no fear this is still Chekhov so there is still much character driven plot, heavy vodka pours, and a good healthy dose of melancholy throughout this production.
Casey Hoekstra and Marcus Truschinski
The After Party Thoughts
This production of Uncle Vanya makes me think of the quote, “We’re all a little weird. And life is a little weird.” Everyone is searching for connection and someone to match their weirdness and desires in life. Perhaps our characters may not have all found their partner in their weirdness yet, but they have all at least awakened to it. We still feel the strain of lives being uprooted and dissatisfaction with their lot in life through this production, but in the end they all have at least come up from the depths of their daily routines and questioned and wondered about something different.
American Players adaptation of Uncle Vanya brings a different perspective to the work. It gives more throw your hands up in exasperation at the fate the world has given you rather than dismally give in to it. So for those of you wanting a more action driven plot or the traditional despair of Chekhov, then this production may not be for you. But if you’re in the mood for an introspective, character driven play that expounds the eccentricities of these humans, then this production of Uncle Vanya would be a good fit for you!
RECOMMENDED
When
Now through September 5, 2026
Where
American Players Theatre
5950 Golf Course Rd.
Spring Green, WI 53588
Runtime: 2hrs 45min, including an intermission
Tickets
$68
Tickets can be purchased by calling the box office at 608-588-2361 or through the American Players Theatre website
Photos
Michael Brosilow
Find Allie and The After Party featured on Theatre in Chicago
The cast of Uncle Vanya
CAST
Brian Mani (Alexander Serebryakov)
Tracie Lane (Yelena Andreyevna Serebryakova)
Maggie Cramer (Sonya Alexandrovna Serebryakova)
Leslie Brott (Maria Vasilyevna Voinitskaya)
Marcus Truschinski (Ivan "Vanya" Petrovich Voinitsky)
Casey Hoekstra (Mikhail Lvovich Astrov)
David Daniel (Ilya Ilyich "Waffles" Telyegin)
Karen Janes Woditsch (Marina)
CREATIVE
Anton Chekhov (Playwright)
Nate Burger (Adapter)
Brenda DeVita (Director)
Ann-Louise Wolf (Voice & Text Coach)
Holly Payne (Costume Designer)
Takeshi Kata (Scenic Designer)
Dawn Chiang (Lighting Designer)
Sartje Pickett (Music Composition & Sound Designer)
Jeb Burris (Intimacy, Movement & Fight Director)
Paul Haesemeyer (Assistant Costume Designer)
Camela Widad (Music Director)
Dana Pepowski (Dramaturg)
Kenji Shoemaker (Stage Manager)
Katie Moshier (Assistant Stage Manager)