Izzi King and Stephen Loch
Edge of the Wood Theatre Presents UNCLE VANYA Review - How Will They Go On?
TLDR: Taking Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya out of 1800s Russia, Edge of the Wood’s production puts our characters in a modern setting. We feel the emotions everyone has to the Professor coming to the country estate and disrupting their lives without hesitation. By the end of it, it almost feels like we’ve watched a family drama soap opera through this slice of life play.
Brian Alan Hill and Izzi King
Modern Day Chekhov
Ah Chekhov. Ordinary, depressed people in Russia. It's summer and we're at the family estate out in the country for Edge of the Wood Theatre’s production of Uncle Vanya. Using a modern translation by Annie Baker, we've moved out of 1800s Russia and planted ourselves in modern times. The set designed by Annie Smith reminds us of a family cabin - there's wood panelling on the walls giving off 1970s vibes and none of the furniture has been updated since then either. But even though the decor might be outdated, it looks like a comfortable home with family photos adorning the walls and the couches and chairs in the living room look like you could sit on them for hours. It becomes the room that’s the central hub for this family's going-ons.
To start, the disruptive man of the hour comes barreling through the living room in his heavy boots, raincoat, and outdoors hat is Professor Serebryakov (played by Jeff Broitman). He's come from the city with his much younger wife to figure out his next move after his finances no longer support his lifestyle. His schedule disrupts the entire household and they feel obligated to adhere to his schedule and needs even though it puts them all out. We watch them try and hide their feelings about him when he’s in the room but see everything that goes on behind his back when he leaves causing lots of inside drama between everyone.
Jeff Broitman and Janet Rourke
It All Hinges on the Professor
As a character driven play, Uncle Vanya is all about the inner workings of this family and the changing world around them. Edge of the Wood pulls our focus towards the fraud Uncle Vanya feels he’s experiencing. As Vanya, Stephen Loch shows a man who feels like the rug has been pulled out from under him and can’t believe he’s staked his whole being on this one man.
We see how other characters react to this development as well. His wife and daughter, Yelena and Sonya (Sara Mountjoy-Pepka and Izzi King), are running out of patience for him and all his ailments. It seems the only one who understands the Professor is Nanny Marina (Janet Rourke). Not to mention the other drama happening in the household as Dr. Astrov (Brian Alan Hill) finds himself pining after someone who is unavailable while also being pined after himself.
Uncle Vanya feels like a soap opera of family drama as they all figure out what they’re going to do - either keep going as they always have or try and find a way out of the life they’ve always known.
Sara Mountjoy-Pepka and Izzi King
The After Party Thoughts
I'm a huge fan of seeing productions of the same show and getting to see how different companies interpret the same work. After seeing American Players’ production this summer, I was excited to see a different interpretation of Uncle Vanya with Edge of the Wood. I found they both focused on the ordinary people theme in Chekhov’s work, but interpreted the characters differently which was a fun contrast to see.
If you’re not a fan of slice of life plays where it feels like not a lot happens, then this show would not be for you. But if you’re in the mood for a character driven play about a family in crisis, then Edge of the Wood Theatre’s production of Uncle Vanya would be a great fit for you!
RECOMMENDED
When
Now through November 21, 2026
Where
Edgebrook Community Church
6736 N Loleta Ave.
Chicago, IL 60646
Runtime: 2hrs 15min, including intermission
Tickets
$15+
Tickets can be purchased through the Edge of the Wood Theatre website
Photos
Courtesy of Edge of the Wood Theatre
Find Allie and The After Party featured on Theatre in Chicago
CAST
Jeff Broitman (Serebryakov)
Brian Alan Hill (Astrov)
Izzi King (Sonya)
Stephen Loch (Vanya)
Chris Lysy (Yefim, Astrov u/s)
Sara Mountjoy-Pepka (Yelena)
Jeanann Power (Maria)
Janet Rourke (Marina)
Fred A. Wellisch (Telegin)
Liz Albenesius (Yelena u/s)
Emma Close (Sonya u/s)
Robert Dyer (Telegin u/s)
Martin Mahoney (Yefim u/s, ASM)
Herb Metzler (Serebryakov u/s)
Ellen Shaw (Maria/Marina u/s)
CREATIVE
Stacey Lind (Director)
Annie Smith (Scenic Designer)
Annika Halonen (Costume Designer)
Finley Wedge (Lighting Designer)
Sofia Tew (Intimacy Director)
Gillian Larson (Stage Manager)