Archive

Identifier: SISTERS1997

Inclusive Dates: 1996 - 1997

Extent:

Roundabout Theatre Company staged The Three Sisters at the Criterion Center Stage Right with first preview January 22, 1997, opening night February 13, 1997 and closing night April 6, 1997. Billy Crudup was nominated for a Drama Desk award for his portrayal of Solyony. Director Scott Elliott brought together a cast of high profile mostly-film actors. Bruce Weber of the New York Times said this all-star ensemble was "the clearest signal yet of a mounting trend: the return, in appreciable numbers, of screen actors to the New York stage;" and quoting Calista Flockhart regarding whether she would choose theater over film, "I'd have to say I'd pick this and hope the movies still come around. Theater pays you back, not in cash but in a lot of other ways" (Weber, NY Times, February 9, 1997).

Directed by Scott Elliott using a script adaptation by Lanford Wilson; with set design by Derek McLane, costume design by Theoni  V. Aldredge, lighting design by Peter Kaczorowski, sound design by Raymond D. Schilke and hair and wig design by Paul Huntley.

Paul Giamatti played Andrei Prozorov, Amy Irving played Olga, Jeanne Tripplehorn played Masha, Lili Taylor played Irina, Calista Flockhart played Natalya Ivanovna, David Marshall Grant played Kulygin, David Strathairn played Vershinin, Eric Stoltz played Baron Tuzenbach, Billy Crudup played Solyony, Jerry Stiller played Chebutykin, Robert Bogue played Fedotik, Justin Theroux played Rodez, Ben Hammer played Ferapont, Betty Miller played Anfisa, Mira Kingsley played Maid, Matthew Lawler, Saxon Palmer played Soldiers, Gennady Gutkin and Gab Hegedus played Musicians. Understudies:  Matthew Lawler, Keira Naughton, Robert Bogue, Justin Theroux, Mitchell McGuire, Jane Cronin, Saxon Palmer, Jeroen Kuiper.

Written by Anton Chekhov for the Moscow Art Theatre, The Three Sisters first premiered in 1901. The production was directed by Konstantin Stanislavsky who played the role of Vershinin. The American premiere was presented in Russian in 1923. The first English-languge production in the United Stataes was at Civic Repertory in New York with Eva LeGallienne playing Masha, Beatrice Terry as Olga, and Rose Hobart as Irina. 
 

Collection consists of 2 Hollinger boxes containing production documentation, script, extensive press clippings files, playbills, casting notes, and administrative files. Collection lacks most documents detailing artistic vision for the play (director's notes, and set, lighting and sound notes).

Photograph folder contains select color slides, black and white 8 x10 prints and contact sheets.

Digital file contains scanned photographs, scanned press clippings, scanned playbill, xerox copies of costume sketches, video b-roll footage and interview of the three female leads on Charlie Rose, and show art used by the marketing department to promote the production.

Marketing mock up folder contains various versions of artwork and advertising drafts.

Access Restrictions: Open and available for research by appointment only.

Preferred Citation: The Three Sisters 1997, Roundabout Theatre Company Archives