Three Sisters, Woodshed Theater Ensemble

1. The Death of Chekhov

The Ensemble stands in the squash court. Backs to the audience.

A funeral.

Mozarts Requiem fills the space. Chekhov enters down stairs, more stairs, a stately procession. Chekhov enters the court, composed, assured.

The three sisters turn around to face him. He dies.

The three sisters put on party hats.

The ensemble form a line and canon off the court and offstage. The last ensemble member picks up Chekhov fireman

style and carries him off.

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13. Bakers Dozen

Ensemble is at back wall: four standing, four kneeling. They continue to sing White Christmas

Natasha reaches under her dress and pulls out Bbik - the holy birth.

Andrey, Natasha and child stand looking out. The Family.

NATASHA

Im worried about Bobik; I think maybe hes a little sick. Why is he so cold? Yesterday he had a fever, and today hes cold all over

Natasha smashes Bbik into her breast. Bbik dangles from her breast for the rest of the scene.

I get so worried!

ANDREY Hes all right, Nata --

NATASHA Olga and Irina havent come home yet. They just work and work, poor dears. Olga at the Board of Education, Irina at the telegraph office.

ANDREY

In my opinion --

NATASHA This morning I told your sister--I said you take care of yourself, Irina, you hear me honey? She never listens.

ANDREY Oh darling please --

NATASHA And the maids are all in a tizzy. You got to keep your eyes on them so nothing happens. The carnival people are supposed to come tonight, and I just dont think they better.


ANDREY Well --

NATASHA Really, Bbik was so cold this morning. Im worried hes going to catch a cold in that room of his. He could, you know? We should move him into Irinas room, it is just right for a babys room; its dry and gets sun all day long. We should tell her, and she can move in with Olga until then (Pause.) Andrey? (she puts her hand on top of Andreys head) How come you never talk to me?

Natasha pushes Andrey to the ground. Natasha uses Andrey as her chair for her vanity.

A choral flourish! Whos making all that noise? That you, Andrey?

Irina falls into the scene Irina, darling. Home at last! Irina, you are all worn out you. You poor thing!

applying makeup and eating powdered donuts

By the way I wanted to tell you before, but you werent here or I never had time. I think Bbiks room is too cold and damp where he is now, I mean. And your room is exactly right for a babys room. You just move in with lga for a while, dear, thats a good girl.

Doorbell flourish from the Choir Now who is it? That must be Olga! Shes so late!

Natasha stands Andrey flips from hand-and-knees to face-up table top.

Natasha sits down again--startled

Oh!!! Protoppov? (she shivers) What a crazy man! Protoppov is outside; he wants me to go for a sleigh ride with him. Men are so funny

Hurriedly - regaining composure Applying donuts and eating makeup

Irina! You and lga will have one room, and Bbik goes in your room. Just for a while. Hes such a darlin. This morning I said to him, Bbik, I said, youre mine! All mine!


Another doorbell flourish from the Choir (she shivers) What a crazy man!! I must be a mess. (Looks in the mirror) Who said I was putting on weight? Its not true! Not a bit!

A final doorbell flourish from the Choir

Ill be back in half an hour. Im only going for a little ride.

Natasha stands and rips Bbik off her breast She throws him over her shoulder as she leaves the court.


19. The Very Last Breath

The ensemble stands scattered throughout the space. This is the same stage picture from the funeral at the top of the show.

Only the ensemble now all face out to the audience.

Anfisa with a period camera on a tripod by the risers.

THE ENSEMBLE Did you hear the news?

VERSHININ The rumor is true --

CHEBUTYKIN

The brigade is leaving today.

TUZENBACH Were being transferred someplace far away.

SOLYONY Maybe to Poland

VERSHININ Maybe to the Chinese border

THE SOLDIERS Nobody knows!

OLGA Once the troops leave, everything will be back the way it used to be.

MASHA Oh, lets not talk about it!

IRINA Our town is emptying.


VERSHININ Its funny how the stupidest little things in life can seem so important, all of a sudden and for no reason.

THE ENSEMBLE

Youre a good friend; we had good times together

NATASHA Once more --

THE ENSEMBLE Goodbye!

IRINA Till we meet again!

Flash!

THE SOLDIERS No; this time its goodbye forever.

MASHA We may meet again sometime.

SOLYONY What, in ten or fifteen years? But we wont hardly recognize each other.

Flash!

ANDREY The towns almost empty. It seems to be falling asleep

CHEBUTYKIN I hope we do all meet again. But you be sure and write us; dont forget.

Flash!

The Three Sister open up their parasols. The pictures are over.


The sisters wander through the trees.

IRINA What beautiful trees they are along the river.

THREE SISTERS And how beautiful the life around them ought to be.

OLGA Its almost as if I were seeing these trees for the first time in my life; they all seem to be looking at me and waiting for something.

MASHA See that tree there? That tree is dead, but it still moves in the wind with the others. I feel like that: if I die, Ill still be part of life somehow.

VERSHININ What happened by the theater yesterday? Everybody is talking about it.

IRINA Nothing. Its all a lot of nonsense.

CHEBUTYKIN Solyony started teasing the baron -

OLGA And the baron lost his temper and insulted Solyony

ANDREY And the way it wound up, Solyony had to challenge him to a duel.

NATASHA It ought to be about time now.twelve-thirty in the state forest across the river. You can see it from here.

THE ENSEMBLE (except Irina)

BANG-BANG. Laughter


24. The Show Must Go On Living

Three sisters stand at the glass.

They watch the departures. Natasha enters dressed as Chekhov. She stands in front of the door, close to the audience.

A curtain speech:

CHEKHOV My sincerest apologies for this disturbance. Tonight, the story of three little girls who dream of a life beyond the one they live. I trust you will enjoy it, though I am a man of modest talent--this is known by my friends and family. Do you want my biography? Here it is.

I was born in Taganrog in 1860. I finished the course at Taganrog high school in 1879. In 1884 I took my degree in medicine at the University of Moscow. In 1888 I gained the Pushkin prize. In 1891 I made a tour in Europe, where I drank excellent wine and ate oysters. In 1892 I took part in an orgy at a name-day party. I began writing in 1879. With my colleagues, doctors, and literary men alike, I am on the best of terms. I am a bachelor. I should like to receive a pension. All that is nonsense though. Write what you like. If you havent facts, make up with lyricism. Ladies and gentlemen

Chekhov walks towards the audience, humming Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay. He sits in the front row of the audience. The sisters are very close to the glass.

They speak the following lines, slowly walking backwards.

They are drawn backwards. Arrows on bows.

IRINA

Theyre going away.

MASHA One of them is going away for good.

IRINA And were alone.


OLGA We have to start our lives all over again.

MASHA Someday everyone will know what this was all about, all this suffering--it wont be a mystery anymore--

OLGA But until then we have to go on living.

IRINA Ill go away tomorrow, by myself--

MASHA Its autumn--winter will come, the snow will fall--

IRINA --and I will go to work.

OLGA I will keep working and working.

MASHA The day will come when well go away forever too. People will forget all about us, theyll forget what we looked like--

IRINA --what our voices sounded like--

OLGA --how many of us there were

IRINA But our suffering will turn to joy for the people who live after us,

MASHA

Their lives will be happy and peaceful, and theyll remember us kindly.


OLGA My dears, my dear sisters, life isnt over yet. Well go on living.

IRINA The music sounds so happy, so joyful

MASHA A minute more, and wed know why we live, why we suffer.

THREE SISTERS If only we knew!

They meet the back wall.

They stand silently.

We wait.

The sisters sprint, full force, toward the glass.

Blackout.

We hear it.


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Three Sisters, Woodshed Theater Ensemble