THE LYDIA ETUDES – ABOUT LOVING ANTON CHEKVOK from Dawn Arnold as part of the 2011 Cincinnati Fringe Festival. You can read the show description here.
This production works well in the intimate setting of Media Bridges. Costumed in an attractive period dress by Erin Rose Gallagher, and staged with only three chairs, a small writing table, and letters hanging overheard, Dawn Arnold is mesmerizing to watch as Lydia Avilova.
The actress perfectly conveys the varied and sometimes conflicting emotions that mark Lydia’s platonic, but longing for more, relationship with Chekhov through their correspondence and several brief encounters, until his death in 1904. When depicting those personal meetings, it is a simple brush of the actress’ hand at her hair to transform herself into Anton Chekov.
At the opening performance, I sat near the door to make a fast exit to my next performance. I did find the volume of the classical music, underscoring the show, to be a little too loud at times.
Four performances remain of THE LYDIA ETUDES – ABOUT LOVING ANTON CHEKVOK at Media Bridges:
- Tue, June 7 at 7:45pm
- Wed, June 8 at 8:45pm
- Fri, June 10 at 7pm
- Sat, June 11 at 4pm
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