THE REAL IVANOV: A NEW ADAPTATION OF CHEKHOV’S FIRST FULL-LENGTH PLAY

On tonight’s show, we’ll be joined by director and Chekhov scholar Laura Strausfeld and leading actor Sam Underwood to discuss The Real Ivanov, a new adaptation of Ivanov, Chekhov’s first produced full-length play, about a charismatic and admired upper class man in his mid-Thirties who has become overwhelmed with debt, depression and despair, a total disaster-in-progress.

Laura Strausfeld is a writer, director, lawyer, and Chekhov scholar. Affiliated as a Visiting Scholar with Columbia University’s Harriman Institute, Strausfeld has spent decades studying Chekhov's life and work. She is currently writing How to Be Less Miserable, a book about what she learned from Chekhov. For more than fifteen years, she has curated New York City’s annual celebration of Chekhov's birthday, producing and hosting theatrical variety shows at such venues as Symphony Space and City Winery. Her directing and writing work also includes Snatches (aka Monica & Linda) in New York, London, and Edinburgh and adapted for radio by WNYC and BBC Radio 4; Henry V for Shakespeare in the Parking Lot); and The Real Vanya, her film adaptation of Uncle Vanya. She also directed a staged reading of The Real Vanya at the Classic Stage Company where The Real Ivanov currently plays. In early 2027, to honor Chekhov’s 167th birthday, she will host Symphony Space’s Selected Shorts: How to Be Less Miserable.

Sam Underwood spent the last chapter of his acting career on television, playing creeps and serial killers in shows such as Dexter, Fear the Walking Dead, Dynasty, and The Following opposite Kevin Bacon. Before the psychopathic turn, he dreamed of being Gene Kelly and moved to New York from England to pursue a Broadway career. His stage highlights include Equus opposite Alec Baldwin, Hamlet, Candida, Dorian Gray, and Henry V.

The Real Ivanov runs through September 19 at the Lynn F. Angelson Theater on the premises of the Classic Stage Company at 136 East 13th Street in Manhattan. The performance schedule is Monday through Fridays at 7:00 PM and Saturdays at 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM with no performance on Monday, September 7 and an additional performance at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, September 9. Tickets are on sale at www.realivanov.com.

Hosted by Janet Coleman and David Dozer