Michael Chekhov Celebrated At Ridgefield Festival

RIDGEFIELD, Conn. – It's not Russian playwright Anton Chekhov who is being honored at the fourth annual Chekhov International Theatre Festival this weekend in Ridgefield — it's his nephew.

“The festival is really named after Michael Chekhov, first and foremost. And it’s because he lived and worked in Ridgefield for four years,” the festival’s Artistic Director John Bergstrom said.

Of course, the festival will not be without Anton’s presence. The performances start Friday, Sept. 21, with three of Anton’s one-act plays. But the festival sets out to honor Michael, Bergstrom said.

Michael’s skills as an actor wound up being more valuable as a teacher, Bergstrom said. After he had made several films in California, Michael went on to teach many famous stars, including Marilyn Monroe, Ingrid Bergman and Gary Cooper, among others.

A large part of the festival is bringing in performances and troupes that exemplify the way Michael taught acting and clowning. “Transformation is what every actor consciously or unconsciously longs for,” Chekhov said, and many agree that line best exemplifies his acting philosophy.

The performances at the festival will include the Drilling Company from New York, a troupe from Scandinavia, and two clowns — one from Portugal and the other from Sweden, as well as the Michael Chekhov Acting Studio in New York City.

“We’re offering something quite unique at the festival because we’re bringing professional theater to the community. It’s a rare opportunity to see companies from New York and around the country and the international communities,” Bergstrom said.

The festival will take place from Friday, Sept. 21, to Sunday, Sept. 23, with performances each day. The weekend will begin with an opening reception at the Aldrich Museum on Friday at 6  p.m. before the first performance of three Anton Chekhov one-acts at 8 p.m. in the Schlumberger Theater on Old Quarry Road.

For tickets, contact First Selectman Rudy Marconi’s office at 203-431-2774. Tickets are $10 per performance or $25 for the whole weekend.

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