Author Description

Inspired by the Moscow Art Theatre's historic tour of America in 1923-1924, where Konstantin Stanislavski's company was awaited with feverish anticipation, OUR LIFE IN ART presents the Russian actors over the course of one day while they are far from home, and political and financial dangers press upon them from all sides. "[Set] around the 1923 Chicago tour of the Moscow Art Theatre. At the time, Stanislavski was directing Russian actors in plays by the recently deceased Anton Chekhov. They all gather around a festive meal, remaking the world, while their return to Moscow is dreaded. A show of luminous humanity and quivering anxiety." -Artistkrezo "It is the best American play I've seen in many seasons." -John Lahr, Air Mail "An astonishing show that resonates and reveals itself even beyond performance time, vigorously asserting the resilient vitality of art despite its modest appearance." -La Terrasse "OUR LIFE IN ART is an antidote to gloom." -Le Monde "Sometimes, very rarely, magic comes to the stage. It is a special kind of magic, an enchantment, a vibration... The author, American Richard Nelson, feels the same compassion and affection for his characters... as Chekhov did for even the least of his own, and he shares it with us." -Le Canard Enchaine "We find ourselves touching the sublime in this most mundane everyday life." -Figaro