Sam Underwood to Star in World Premiere of The Real Ivanov

Initiative Productions will present the world premiere of The Real Ivanov, a 100-minute adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s first staged play, Ivanov, by writer and Chekhov scholar Laura Strausfeld, who also directs. It will run August 17–September 19, with an opening night set for August 25, at the Lynn F. Angelson Theater.

In Chekhov’s play, Nikolai Ivanov—mid-30s, once charismatic and admired—has become overwhelmed and depressed. Everyone around him thinks they know why, but Ivanov isn’t convinced. Strausfeld’s adaptation centers the comedy in Chekhov’s play about living with despair.

The production stars Sam Underwood as Nikolai Ivanov alongside Sam Adegoke as Borkin, Ivory Aquino as Anna, Spencer Aste as Lebedev, William DeMeritt as Kosyk, Jordan Lage as Count Shabyelsky, Sarah Long as Zinaida, Amelia Mason as Sasha, Soph Metcalf as Avdotya, Hagan Oliveras as Dr. Lvov, and Kimberlee Walker as Babakina. Understudies are Aubyn Heglie and Brendan Titley.

The creative team includes set and lighting designer Jiyoun Chang, costume designer Ella Matza, and sound designer Brandon Bulls.