Written by orange• March 25, 2025• 1:58 am• Costa Mesa, Costa Mesa Playhouse, Review, Theater, Uncategorized

Uncle Vanya @ Costa Mesa Playhouse – Review

Photos by Michael Serna

Written by Patrick Chavis

Uncle Vanya is now playing at the Costa Mesa Playhouse from March 21 to April 13, 2025.

Anton Chekhov’s masterwork Uncle Vanya receives a superlative presentation at the Costa Mesa Playhouse through Andrew Upton’s modern adaptation, with a semi-modern soundtrack that makes you want to sing along.

During his lifetime, Uncle Vanya was known as one of Chekhov’s most popular plays. It was first produced in 1899 at the Moscow Art Theatre. Ahead of its time, the show received mixed reviews at the beginning, but as it continued, it became incredibly popular. It’s still produced quite frequently all over the world, in all types of different variations.

Story:

The story follows Uncle Vanya (Angel Correa), who has worked for his brother-in-law, Professor Serebryakov (Peter Hilton)for many years alongside Serebryankov’s daughter, Sonya (Brooke Lewis Cruz). He manages Serebryakov’s country estate while Serebryankov typically lives in the city with his second and much younger wife, Yelena (Kendall Sinclair). The arrival of the estate owners brings with it long-standing drama and resentment that burns throughout the visit, harming everyone in its wake.

In Uncle Vanya, it’s not farfetched to say it’s essentially a play with a bunch of people in a room bickering among one another with the occasional spot of vodka to wash it down. But also, consider the difference between just bickering and opening yourself up and sharing your soul. Sometimes, the only difference is the perspective of the person you’re talking to. Sometimes, it can tell you if that person sees you as a burden, damaged, or a person authentically trying to connect.

I don’t see these characters as whiners or complainers; they are genuinely honest and kind people in this story, even Professor Serebyakov, who causes much of the turmoil in this play. Even with good people with good intentions, there’s this disconnect that provides all of this tension. This disconnect, in some ways, mirrors our world, economically and psychologically, so tightly wound in one play. It was written so long ago but remains so relevant.

Direction:

Tenderly, performed around the somber acoustic guitar playing of Mark Tillman. Micheal Serna’s direction is a good balance of fluid movement between interactions and the undeniable comedic beats. And no one captures this manic energy and balance better than the lead, Uncle Vanya himself, Angel Correa, who I’ve seen before in other productions. Most recently, in the winner for OCR’s 2024 Best Ensemble winner, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Wayward. There Correa exhibited a talent for comedic witticisms on stage, which is here in Uncle Vanya, but extended far beyond in his performance as Vanya. It is a soul-bearing performance from Correa that burns with laughter and sorrow.

Set/Costume Design:

Fall leaves hang on the stage’s upper ceiling, outlining the top of the theatre. The windows in the back are covered in light that also ricochets off the actors’ skin. The wall was painted white and stained for texture. An old piano was used for decoration, and it was played multiple times in the show. Right of the stage, an old cabinet with vodka and a small vinyl record player sits in the back. The grass walls, incorporated in the design, align well with the environmental conversations that take place in the narrative, tying this great design together from Serna.

Acting:

To know so much but to be able to do so little about it, Yelena (Kendall Sinclair) may be one of the most relatable characters in this play. You see the cost of that knowledge in Kendall Sinclair’s voice, her long, awkward embrace, and even her stronger moments, there is a slow breaking. It reveals a character, a human being, beyond the dialogue.

If Yelena is one of the most relatable characters in this show, Sonya would most likely be the most sympathetic. Cruz, with great versatility, shows Sonya’s good nature while also providing a contrast with Vanyas’s more open approach to despair.

Matthew Hong-Jones (Astrov) walks a tightrope between threatening and sympathetic, which is right at home in this character.

Peter Hilton (Professor Serebrayakov) shows so much range in this show. It makes what happens to his character in the second half and his responses memorable.

Mark Tillman’s performance as Telegin, also nicknamed Waffles, and his musical accompaniment were excellent. Tillman, who also acts as the Musical Director in this show, cleverly included semi-modern songs :

“In My Life” by the Beatles, “No Surprises” by Radio Head, and a fun and spirited version of “Drunken Song: I’m Gonna Be” by The Proclaimers with accompaniment by Angel Correa & Matthew Hong-Jones, a true highlight of the production.

Nicholas Hirates made some tasteful choices. The costumes were well-fitted and varied throughout, from the distinguished suit of Doctor Astrov (Matthew Hong-Jones) to the long, silky green dress worn by Yelena.

Uncle Vanya at the Costa Mesa Playhouse is a dramatic punch to the gut you won’t soon forget!

Detail note: The text mentions that Telegin has a pockmarked face, but they kept Tillman’s face pretty clear for this production.