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A woman consumed by grief has an epiphany; Chekhovian lovers suffer.

“A charity performance was staged in town. I went into the Governor's box, having been invited in the interval, and there was Ann Lugonavich, sitting by the Governor's wife. Again, I was struck by that same irresistible, vibrant beauty, by that charming, friendly expression in her eyes….”—Anton Chekhov, “Concerning Love.”
A woman consumed by grief has an epiphany; Chekhovian lovers suffer.


This is a program devoted to two master storytellers, Eudora Welty and Anton Chekhov. The first story, a mysterious, dreamlike piece by Eudora Welty, draws back a “Curtain of Green,” to reveal a widow at a moment of crisis. Eudora Welty lived from 1909 until 2001 in Jackson, Mississippi. In 1970, she was awarded the Edward MacDowell Medal, one of the reasons her story was included in our program celebrating the 100th anniversary of the MacDowell writers colony. The program was presented by the Westport Arts Center at the Westport Country Playhouse in Connecticut. The reader, award-winning actress Frances Sternhagen, spoke to us about the experience of reading this compelling work, which she describes as drawing both performer and audience in in unexpected ways.

In addition to being one of the great playwrights, if not the greatest, of the 20th century, Anton Chekhov, creator of “UNCLE VANYA,” “THE THREE SISTERS,” and “THE CHERRY ORCHARD,” wrote volumes of short stories. The second story on this program, “CONCERNING LOVE,” translated by Ronald Hingley, charts the unhappy course of star-crossed lovers in provincial Russia. “Why,” cries the anguished narrator, “did she meet him, in stead of me?” “Why such a great mistake in our lives?” “CONCERNING LOVE,” is read by Joe Morton, a frequent SHORTS performer whose film credits include “Speed,” “Stealth,” and “Terminator 2.” He has had numerous featured roles on television, notably on “Smallville.” Stage credits include “Raisin in the Sun” (Tony nominee) and “Art.”

“Curtain of Green,” by Eudora Welty, read by Frances Sternhagen
“Concerning Love,” by Anton Chekhov, read by Joe Morton

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