Come and spend an afternoon full of talent with the dramatized reading of San Miguel Playreaders at the Santa Ana Theater Three short plays written by Anton Chekhov, directed by Gina Giampao...

Come and spend an afternoon full of talent with the dramatized reading of San Miguel Playreaders at the Santa Ana Theater

Three short plays written by Anton Chekhov, directed by Gina Giampaoli.

“The Bear”, set in the vibrant 1800s, widow Elena Ivanovna Popova retreats into her home, consumed by grief for her unfaithful husband. Despite the cheerful atmosphere outside, she ignores her footman Luka’s pleas to rejoin the world. When Grigory Stepanovitch Smirnov arrives to collect a debt from her late husband, he finds Elena unwilling to engage on the seven-month anniversary of her loss. Grigory, frustrated with what he perceives as her emotional weakness, refuses to leave without his payment. Their ensuing clash of wills transforms into a humorous yet poignant exploration of love, loss, and the absurdity of human nature. As Elena and Grigory confront each other with fierce passion, the outcome of their battle could lead to unexpected resolutions: a duel, a heart attack, or perhaps even a wedding.

-Performed by Annette Munroe, Steven Michael, and Frank Simons

“The Swan Song” delves into themes of aging, loneliness, and the existential weight of a life spent in the pursuit of artistic acclaim, encapsulating the struggles of an aging actor coming to terms with his past and his mortality. The play centers around Vasili Svietlovidoff, a 68-year-old comedian who finds himself alone in an empty theater after a performance dedicated to him. As he reflects on his life, he is consumed by feelings of regret and nostalgia, recalling his youthful exuberance and past artistic successes. Joined by Nikita Ivanitch, an old prompter, Svetlovidoff’s melancholic musings shift between moments of revelry and despair, revealing his isolation and the fleeting nature of fame.

-Performed by Richard Fink and Frank Simons

In “The Proposal”, the humorous chaos of human relationships unfolds when Ivan Vassilevitch Lomov, a nervous and hypochondriacal young man, visits his neighbor Stepan Stepanovitch Chubukov to propose to his daughter, Natalya Stepanovna. What begins as a simple marriage proposal quickly deteriorates into a farcical argument over petty disputes, including land ownership and the quality of hunting dogs. As tensions escalate, Ivan becomes increasingly agitated, fearing he is suffering a heart attack, resulting in him fainting from the stress. Upon regaining consciousness, Ivan is bewildered by his surroundings. Yet, in a surprising turn of events, Stepan seizes the moment and encourages the two to marry, highlighting the absurdities of social customs and the complexities of love.

-Performed by Christie Cook, Blu McKelvain, and Richard Fink