Even with Updated Lingo, APT’s “Uncle Vanya” Stays True to Original

Anne Siegel, Shepherd Express

American Players Theatre’s 47th summer season, now in full swing, includes Anton Chekhov’s classic, Uncle Vanya. Unlike the other two productions now performing in APT’s Hill Theatre, Thornton Wilder’s The Matchmaker and Shakespeare’s comedy As You like It, Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya shows the flip side of human nature. The dark side. Uncle Vanya continues at the Hill Theatre through September 5.

Despite its remote location in Spring Green, APT is an acknowledged powerhouse of theatrical talent. One of APT’s strengths is that its various productions cover a lot of stylistic ground, which audiences can sample on successive nights. That’s undoubtedly one reason why APT recently was awarded the 2026 Tony Award for Regional Theatre, the nation’s highest award for theater.

Chekhov Hailed for His Influence on Modern Theater

Although acknowledged literary experts often rank the Russian-born Chekhov alongside Shakespeare as one of the greatest playwrights in history, many of his plays (including The Seagull, The Cherry Orchard, Three Sisters and Vanya) are not easy to watch.

That’s the reality confronted by APT regular Nate Burger, who is responsible for the current adaptation of Uncle Vanya now playing on APT’s stage. (Burger is also an actor, and this year he can be seen performing in both of this season’s Shakespeare plays, As You Like It and The Two ‘Gentlemen’ of Verona.)

There are Chekhov purists, Chekhov enthusiasts, and there are curious theatergoers who are attending their first Chekhov play. One wonders which group will get the most out of this revised Uncle Vanya. Burger writes with clarity and a deep understanding of who these characters are.

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