AstonRep Productions, the theatre and film production company that has produced over 30 stage productions in Chicago, has announced it will be the first company in the US to bring Liisa Repo-Martell’s adaptation of Chekhov’s UNCLE VANYA to audiences. Repo-Martell’s script, which was first produced by Toronto’s Crow’s Theatre in 2022, has been praised for its contemporary and colloquial language. The Toronto online arts magazine INTERMISSION said, “it is delicate and wholly faithful to Chekhov’s story… relatable and even startlingly contemporary, affirming the timelessness of the themes Chekhov explored in his writing.” The Crow’s Theatre production was remounted in 2024 at Toronto’s CAA Theatre and was named one of the top ten productions of the year by both THE GLOBE AND MAIL and THE TORONTO STAR. AstonRep’s production will be directed by Derek Bertelsen, who recently helmed the revival of the hit comedy FULLY COMMITTED at The Den Theatre and has directed many of AstonRep’s productions. Bertelsen was co-founder/artistic director of The Comrades theater company from 2016-2020. UNCLE VANYA will open to the press on June 19 at 7:30 pm, following a preview on June 18, and play through July 5, 2026, at the Edge Off-Broadway, 1133 W. Catalpa Ave., Chicago.
Bertelsen’s cast will feature Rian Jairell in the title role of Vanya – a bitter and broken man who wonders what he might have done with his life if he had not committed to managing the family estate. Jairell’s previous roles with AstonRep include Ariel in THE PILLOWMAN and Jerry in BETRAYAL. The beautiful Helena, who captivates all the characters, will be played by Andi Muriel, seen recently in THE TOTALITY OF ALL THINGS for Redtwist Theatre and THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST for Strawdog Theatre. Robert Tobin, who was Founder and Artistic Director of AstonRep Theatre Company, will be Astrov, a neighbor and overworked country doctor who feels ruined by provincial life. Tobin’s recent credits include ARMS AND THE MAN for Forest Theatre Company and THE PILLOWMAN with AstonRep. Another PILLOWMAN castmate, Natalie Hurdle, will play Sonya, who has loyally steadfastly worked to maintain the estate, and is deeply attracted to Dr. Astrov.
Cast as Vanya’s mother Maria is Mary Mikva (of TIME IS A COLOR AND THE COLOR IS BLUE for Avalanche Theatre). Geoff Issac, seen recently in MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS for Deerfield Theatre, will be the pompous and egotistical failed scholar Serebryakov. Liz Cloud (of AstonRep’s BURIED CHILD) will be the nurse Marina, and Mike Rogalski (ELEKTRA – Forest Theatre Company) will play Telegin, an impoverished landowner who works on the estate.
Top Row L-R: Liz Cloud, Natalie Hurdle, Geoff Isaac, Rian Jarrell.
Lower Row L-R: Mary Mikva, Andi Muriel, Mike Rogalski, Robert Tobin.
The UNCLE VANYA production team will include Jeremiah Barr (set, lighting and properties design), Natalie Shoch (costume design), Samantha Barr (lighting design), Melanie Thompson (sound design), Bethany Hart (assistant director and vocal coach), and Nevaeh Mansur (Stage Manager).
Tickets to UNCLE VANYA are $25.00 and will be on sale beginning April 25 at www.astonrep.com or by phone at or (312) 620-4583.
LISTING INFORMATION
UNCLE VANYA
by Anton Chekhov
US Premiere of the new adaptation by Liisa Repo-Martell
Directed by Derek Bertelsen
June 18 – July 5, 2025
Press Opening Friday, June 19 at 7:30 pm
Regular run Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 3pm
Edge Off-Broadway
1133 W Catalpa Ave, Chicago, IL 60640
Tickets- $25, available beginning April 25 at www.astonrep.com or (312) 620-4583
At a remote country estate in the final days of Czarist Russia, Vanya and his niece Sonya have spent years sacrificing everything to keep the family farm afloat. Their quiet routine is shattered when Sonya’s aging father returns with his much younger wife, stirring up long-buried desires, resentments, and regrets. As tensions rise and futures feel increasingly uncertain, the family is forced to confront the lives they’ve lived—and the ones they never will. This new adaptation by Liisa Repo-Martell provides an up-close encounter with a classic of world drama that every theatre lover must see.
BIOS
Anton Chekhov (Author) was a Russian playwright and master of the modern short story. His plays include THREE SISTERS, CHERRY ORCHARD, and UNCLE VANYA. He was a literary artist of laconic precision who probed below the surface of life, laying bare the secret motives of his characters. Chekhov’s best and short stories lack complex plots and neat solutions. Concentrating on apparent trivialities, they create a special kind of atmosphere, sometimes termed haunting or lyrical.
Liisa Repo-Martell (Adapter) is a Canadian actress, writer, and environmental activist known for her versatile performances across film, television, and theatre. Her theatre work includes adaptations of Chekhov’s UNCLE VANYA and Ibsen’s HEDDA GABLER as well as acting roles at Canada’s Stratford Festival, including A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM and KING LEAR. Repo-Martell’s screen career includes standout roles in such renowned films as UNFORGIVEN, THE ENGLISH PATIENT, and LARS AND THE REAL GIRL. She gained early recognition with a Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series for her portrayal in the TV movie NIGHTS BELOW STATION STREET. Repo-Martell has received additional Gemini nominations for her guest roles in THIS IS WONDERLAND (2006) and SPOKEN ART (1996). Beyond acting, Repo-Martell is a committed climate advocate. Her career reflects a blend of artistic depth and social engagement, emphasizing roles that explore human resilience and societal issues.
Derek Bertelsen (Director) is a Chicago-based theater kid. Previously co-founder/artistic director of The Comrades (2016-2020); member and co-artistic director for AstonRep Theatre Company (2012-2023); and a founding member / artistic associate with Pride Films & Plays (2012-2015). Recent directing credits include FULLY COMMITTED, THE PILLOWMAN, BURIED CHILD (Best Play Jeff nomination), EQUUS, THE LIEUTENANT OF INISHMORE, GOD OF CARNAGE, DOUBT, and many more with AstonRep. With The Comrades, the world premiere of ROAST, PRELUDE TO A KISS, Chicago premiere of MARY-KATE OLSEN IS IN LOVE. Also DESIGN FOR LIVING and THE CHILDREN’S HOUR with PFP. Assistant directed at Goodman Theater, Steppenwolf, and Bailiwick. Training: Second City, Chicago Filmmakers, BFA Millikin University. Regional: Festival 56 in Princeton IL; Timber Lake Playhouse in Mt Carroll IL; and Shawnee Theatre in Bloomfield IN. Short Film: Rusty Pipe.
Robert Tobin (Producer) was founder and artistic director of AstonRep Theatre Company. Select directing credits with the company include 1984, THE WOMEN OF LOCKERBIE, and THE WATER’S EDGE. Acting credits with AstonRep include EQUUS, THE LONESOME WEST, TIME STANDS STILL, LES LIAISONS DANGERUESES, and DOUBT among others. Locally, he has worked with Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, First Folio, Oak Park Festival Theatre, and Redtwist among others. Regional credits include Colorado, Montana, and Utah Shakespeare Festivals.
About AstonRep Productions
AstonRep is a film and theatre production company based in Chicago, IL. For fifteen seasons, we produced more than thirty full-length productions on the Northside of the city, including many Chicago premieres. Through our annual writer’s series, we hosted readings of 60+ new works, many of which have gone on to receive full productions.
We recently completed RUSTY PIPE, a dark comedy film that is currently on the film festival circuit. It has been honored as “Best Midwest Film” in the MLC Awards and “Best Comedy” at the Pittsburgh Moving Pictures Festival.
At AstonRep Productions, we are passionate about creating compelling and intimate experiences that challenge audiences and spark meaningful discussion.
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