USD Theatre Presents Three Sisters
“Three Sisters” follows the story of Olga, Masha and Irina as they traverse their predictable daily lives in pre-revolutionary Russia while contemplating their own purpose in their modern world.
Assistant professor of acting Tim Pyles said he is thrilled to be directing the play. “Quite simply, it’s a story of love and loss. Everyone can relate to that. Not to mention it has three of the best roles ever written for women.”
Pyles has enjoyed exploring the social and political connections between this play written in 1900 and our current moment in history. He said, “‘Three Sisters’ takes place at a moment of extreme social unrest and dissatisfaction with the central government. Social and economic inequalities were massive issues. And at the same time, it’s a beautiful period piece.”
USD’s production of “Three Sisters” is based on a new translation by one of America’s foremost playwrights of the 21st century, Sarah Ruhl. Ruhl wrote this new version of the play in 2009, making it accessible to American audiences while remaining very faithful to the original Russian text. Ruhl brought out much of the comic moments in Chekhov’s original play that have often been overlooked by translators.
“Three Sisters” performs February 15 – 17 at 7:30 pm with a matinee performance on Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. in the Wayne S. Knutson Theatre on the USD campus. Tickets ($15 Adults, $12 Senior Citizen [62+], $10 K-12 & non-USD students with ID, and $5 USD students with ID) can be purchased in the afternoons (12 – 5 p.m.) starting Feb. 8 at the USD Theatre Box Office or by calling (605)677-5400; tickets can also be purchased now online at www.usd.edu/theatre.
