About the Play:

To Moscow is a full-length comedic drama by Karen Sunde. Relationships blossom and partnerships are pushed to the limits in this story of Anton Chekhov's years at the Moscow Art Theatre, including his working relationship with Konstantin Stanislavski, who developed the "method" theory of acting, later taken on by Lee Strasberg and the Actors Studio in New York. We also meet the women in Chekhov's life, notably actress Olga Knipper, who became his first wife. There are four meaty roles for women.

To Moscow is a breathlessly romantic story based on true events from the lives of theatrical legends Anton Chekhov and Konstantin Stanislavski. It 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 stormy partnership with the irrepressible Stanislavski, Chekhov's 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.

To Moscow was developed in 1986 as part of Karen Sunde's McKnight Fellowship. The play received a reading in 1986 at the Playwrights Center in Minneapolis as part of that fellowship, followed by a college production in Kansas and a workshop staging Off-Off Broadway in 1991 at the American Globe Theatre in Times Square. Translated into Turkish, To Moscow ran for a year at the Devlet Ankara National Theatre in Ankara, Turkey. It had its New York premiere at Off Broadway's Chain Lightning Theatre (at the downtown One Dream Theatre space) in 1996. Village Voice named it a "Voice Choice" and it was "Recommended" by the Outer Critics Circle.

Cast: 5 women, 2 men (2 or more actors of either gender) 

What people say:

"...tragicomic, pure, and delicious ... absurdly charming ... delightfully grand." — Time Out

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

"The performances vibrate with the energy and sense of ensemble that brings people to the theatre." — Off-Off Broadway Review

"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." — New York Trends

"...remarkable... [Sunde] juxtaposes humor and suspense and grief and elation, leaving us not the tiniest fraction of a moment to stop feeling intensely...." — Plays International

"A Warm, Humane Play ...passionate .. .extremely strong characterization and dramatic web ... Chekhov's life in the theatre, blended with love...." — Milliyet Arts And Literature Magazine (Ankara, Turkey)

About the Playwright:

Karen Sunde as an American playwright and screenwriter, who began as an actor. Off-Broadway she performed many leading roles, and became Associate Director of CSC Repertory. Her plays have been performed Off Broadway, in regional theatres, on a USA tour, and in eleven countries and seven languages.