Three Sisters | PlayMakers Repertory Company

A Family Portrait of Longing and Desire

Languishing in a provincial town far from their beloved Moscow, sisters Olga, Masha and Irina yearn for the sparkling city of their childhood, where they dream all wishes will be fulfilled. A masterful look at a family navigating the space between reality and dreams, in a new version by Libby Appel, the director of PlayMakers’ 2014 production of Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.

Age Recommendation

While there is nothing inappropriate in the narrative, Chekhov’s humor and ability to shine light on the mundane details of everyday life will be best appreciated by patrons ages 14 and up.

Photos

Mar 28 2016

Refining the Vocal Sound of a Production

My job title, Resident Vocal Coach, is commonly used throughout American theatre, but I find the title misleading. In fact, most people assume I either teach people how to sing or that I wear athletic shorts and a whistle around my neck as I bark orders.

Feb 5 2016

Three Sisters: A Striking and Shattering Performance

Vivienne Benesch is drawing raves with her directorial debut as PlayMakers’ Producing Artistic Director, a critically-acclaimed look at Anton Chekhov’s timeless classic Three Sisters. See what the reviewers have to say about her staging based on Libby Appel’s new adaptation.

Jan 29 2016

From Concept to Reality: Tracy Christensen's Stylish Costumes for Three Sisters

In our previous post, Tracy Christensen shared with us her ideas for creating costumes for Three Sisters. Those concepts are now reality on the stage of the Paul Green Theatre, and the results are beautiful.

Jan 25 2016

Adding a Modern Twist to Period Clothing

While Three Sisters is set at the turn of the 20th century, costume designer Tracy Christensen and director Vivienne Benesch worked together fusing modern influences to create its period clothing. The duo drew inspiration from contemporary fashion and runway couture photography. "There are a lot of fashion designers putting out lines that evoke early 20th Century ideas," says Tracy.

Jan 15 2016

Three Sisters: A World of Changing Values

Unlike other playwrights Chekhov’s dramaturgy eschews climactic encounters and theatrical pyrotechnics. What would be central aspects of a different type of play: a fire that nearly consumes the town, love affairs, duels to the death; occur offstage. We see only the consequences of these events, not the events themselves. Like an impressionist painter Chekhov gives us the passing moments in his characters lives. His landscapes are ephemeral, provisional, and richly informative artistically, but not historically detailed.

Jan 14 2016

Vivienne Benesch: Launching 2016 with Three Sisters

Making her debut as PlayMakers' Producing Artistic Director, Vivienne Benesch also takes on the role of director for our next Mainstage production, Anton Chekhov's Three Sisters. Vivienne first read Three Sisters in college and says she learned more from working on one of its scenes than from every other scene from the entire semester put together.

Oct 28 2015

Meet Vivienne Benesch

It’s rare to discover a profound affinity with an organization—its artistic mission, its community, its artists and its values. But such was the case, I happily found, here at PlayMakers from the first time I stepped off the plane at RDU.

REVIEWS

Vivienne Benesch’s first production as artistic director of PlayMakers is fresh, indicting take on Chekhov
By Byron Woods
INDY Week
February 2, 2016

PlayMakers’ Three Sisters is Chekhov at His Best
By Pamela Vesper and Kurt Benrud
Triangle Arts & Entertainment
January 29, 2016

PRC’s Nuanced New Version of THREE SISTERS: Ennui on Stage, but Not in the Audience
By Kate Dobbs Ariail
The Five Points Star
January 27, 2016

Reworked ‘Three Sisters’ proves more accessible
By Roy C. Dicks
The News & Observer
January 27, 2016

Fine and Beautiful Performances Highlight PRC’s Three Sisters
By Alan R. Hall
Classical Voice of North Carolina
January 26, 2016

NEWS

Who’s Talking (radio interview)
With DG Martin
WCHL/Chapelboro.com
January 22, 2016

Vivienne Benesch is Directing a New Version of Anton Chekhov’s Three Sisters for PlayMakers Rep
By Robert W. McDowell
Triangle Arts & Entertainment
January 20, 2016

Where We’ll Be
By Byron Woods
INDY Week
January 19, 2016

“Three Sisters” Arrive at PlayMakers, Say They’ll Reach Moscow Soon (radio interview)
By Aaron Keck
WCHL/Chapelboro.com
January 15, 2016