The Real Ivanov

The Real Ivanov
Initiative Productions
Classic Stage Company’s Lynn F. Angelson Theater
August 20, 2026 

Photo courtesy of Initiative Productions
& The Real Ivanov

The Real Ivanov is Laura Strausfeld’s adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s four act play, Ivanov.  The play runs one hundred minutes and skillfully captures the despair of the main character.  The cast, under the direction of Ms. Strausfeld, delivers truthful and grounded performances of these distinctly drawn characters.  The conflict and instability that drive their choices are clear and urgent.  It is a well-conceived production that packs a powerful final moment. 

Ivanov (played by Sam Underwood) is deeply despondent.  His wife, Anna (played by Ivory Aquino), is sick with tuberculosis.  Her doctor, Lvov (played by Elijah Guo), has informed him that she has only a few weeks to live and his anxious behavior is making it worse for her.  Lvov advises Ivanov to take Anna to a more calming environment, but since he is in debt to Lebedev (played by Spencer Aste), he cannot afford to accommodate her needs.  Ivanov spends time visiting Lebedev, his wife, Zinaida (played by Sarah Long), and their daughter, Sasha (played by Amelia Mason).  During these visits, Ivanov and Sasha grow close.  When Anna discovers their relationship, her physical condition deteriorates.  After her death, Ivanov becomes engaged to Sasha, but his depression keeps him from going through with the marriage. 

Ivory Aquino & Sam Underwood
Photo courtesy of Initiative Productions & The Real Ivanov

Sam Underwood fully embodies Ivanov’s sense of melancholy.  The audience feels it from the opening moment, then watches it deepen in every encounter he has with other characters.  He is distant in his relationship with his wife, Anna.  Ivory Aquino uses this distance to portray Anna as sturdy, committed, and determined.  The scene where she confronts Ivanov on his betrayal is honest and brutal.  It drains her of any life force she has left.  Sam Adegoke portrays Borkin with an abounding zest for life that magnifies Ivanov’s depression.  Jordan Lage fills the role of Count Shabyelski with a cynicism that drives him forward, which contrasts with Ivanov’s inability to make a decision.  Lebedev states that Ivanov’s engagement to Sasha has brought confusion to his home.  Spencer Aste’s portrayal of Lebedev skillfully illustrates this effect.  Mr. Underwood uses all of these encounters to fully explore the depth of Ivanov’s depression.  

Sam Underwood & Amelia Mason
Photo courtesy of Initiative Productions & The Real Ivanov

Amelia Mason delivers a tragically stubborn performance as Sasha.  The character tells her father the doubt she has about her upcoming marriage to Ivanov, yet she refuses to listen to Ivanov when he confesses the severity of his depression.  Sasha does not let go of the ideal of her conviction.  It is a stunning performance.  She and Mr. Underwood have amazing chemistry.

Kimberlee Walker is charming as Babakina.  Much to her delight, she is wooed by Count Shabyelski.  She and Jordan Lage are wonderfully playful in these roles.  

Elijah Guo is both sensible and sensitive as Dr. Lvov, who unsuccessfully hides his love for Anna.  He and Ms. Aquino share a tender connection, while the sparks fly between him and Mr. Underwood. 

Photo courtesy of Initiative Productions & The Real Ivanov

This adaptation retains the setting of the late 19^th century Russia.  Ms. Strausfeld wanted to preserve every precise line of Chekhov’s writing.  She carefully used translation tools, while deliberately cutting the repetitions.  She is aware that audiences listen to theatre differently today than they did when Chekhov wrote this play in 1887.  Her goal was to trim the play down to a concise one hundred minutes.  She succeeds beautifully, allowing the action to rise as the characters push against consuming obstacles amid personal, social, and economic turmoil.

The final scene of the play is brilliantly staged.  Ms. Strausfeld set it in a long, narrow hallway, which runs diagonally across the playing area (with audience seating on all four sides).  Not only is this drastically juxtaposed to the open spaces of the previous scenes, but it creates a severe obstacle for the characters to connect and communicate, which pushes Ivanov to his fatal decision. 

The Real Ivano is playing at Classic Stage Company’s Lynn F. Angelson Theater through September 19.  It is a stimulating and visceral production.  

Domenick Danza