KAREN SUNDE

This breathlessly romantic true story begins backstage on the disastrous opening night of THE SEAGULL and winds through Anton Chekhov's life in the theatre. We meet the bewitching Lika, whom he will not take and cannot let go, his valiant sister Masha, who gives up her happiness for his peace, his Chekhov's stormy partnership with the irrepressible Stanislavski, his passionate star-crossed marriage to the brilliant actress Olga Knipper; the final clash over his magnificent Cherry Orchard; and Chekhov's tragic death.

With infectious laughter and tears this ensemble of characters, using the magic of theatre "makes" the story unfold, giving birth to the Moscow Art Theatre and their own souls, enchanting every audience whether they know their history or not.

TIMEOUT
"tragicomic, pure, and delicious...absurdly charming...delightfully grand"

BACKSTAGE
"intriguing...all quickly, skillfully drawn and effectively portrayed...becomes exciting"

OFF-OFF BROADWAY REVIEW
"The performances vibrate with the energy and sense of ensemble that brings people to the theatre"

NEW YORK TRENDS
"Sunde makes us love her characters the way the Moscow Theatre actors grew to love the 'ridiculous' Ranevskia of The Cherry Orchard. ...To Moscow is a wonderful, moving, memorable play.

VILLAGE VOICE -- "VOICE CHOICE"

OUTER CRITICS CIRCLE -- "Recommended" list

PLAYS INTERNATIONAL
"...the remarkable To Moscow...emerges as an important work in the century's waning years ... (Sunde) juxtaposes humor and suspense and grief and elation, leaving us not the tiniest fraction of a moment to stop feeling intensely..."

MILLIYET ARTS AND LITERATURE MAGAZINE (Ankara, Turkey)
" 'A Warm, Humane Play' ...passionate...extremely strong characterization and dramatic web...Chekhov's life in the theatre, blended with love..."
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An exerpt appears in Scenes & Monologs from the Best New Plays.

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SEE ALSO... CHEKHOVS AT HOME -- Anthology containing three plays:
Please God No Wedding or Shooting at the End, Anton Himself, Masha Too

Playwright's note: As soon as To Moscow was out there, people began asking me for more plays about Chekhov, so before I was done three more "Chekhov" plays had been commissioned - by Actors' Theatre of Louisville, by People's Light and Theatre Company, Malvern, PA, and by Tisch School of the Arts, NYU, New York.

Anton at right, Masha at left with Family Chekhov