Hedgerow Theatre's 'Uncle Vanya': Fresh Chekhov, with sparkling acting

The wry smile characterizes the Hedgerow Theatre Company's quite good Uncle Vanya. What the production lacks in atmosphere it more than makes up with momentum, dynamics, and splendid acting. That's thanks to three things: three fine performances, excellent direction by Kittson O'Neill, and the ear-perfect adaptation by Brian Friel.

This production rests on the three sparkling performances of Vanya (Adam Altman), Sonya (Jennifer Summerfield), and Mikhail Lvovich Astrov, the Physician (Jared Reed).

Altman plays Vanya as a stomping, thwarted bear. Not the white-haired, beaten-down loser Vanya you sometimes see, he speaks bitingly, but often with mischief and humor. Thus, the wry smile and sparks of humor throughout the first two acts. (A good choice by O'Neill-via-Friel: Chekhov wanted laughter in his plays.) That's all going to change in the last act. (Even there, when Vanya shoots, he screams, "Oh, God! Have I missed again!" Laughs amid pity.)

The focal point of this show is Mikhail, the "vodka doctor," whom Reed plays with panache and a dash of Bill Pullman (thus the wry smile!). You can see why everyone is attracted to him. An alcoholic as bitter as Vanya, he's also dashing, committed, buoyed by cures, crushed by failure, obsessed with saving the forest and bettering humanity.  Like Vanya, he's a cynic who wants to believe.

Sonya, played with big-eyed passion by Summerfield, throws herself into every word, strives to be friends with Elena (Jessica DalCanton), comforts Vanya (who loves Elena), and tries to make things all right.

She loves Mikhail — but so does Elena. These four are chasing a love that is, as they've set it up to be, hopeless.

Provincial boredom, masking existential boredom, was Chekhov's great theme. That's why bad Chekhov can be truly dreary. Not here — there's too much crackle. Whenever Reed as Mikhail steps onstage, you feel a giddy-up, a quickening, complemented by the frustration radiating off Vanya.

Draperies and guy wires move to suggest different rooms and spaces, and the Professor writhes in his chair, but surely the weather itself, that metaphor for spiritual paralysis, must be more oppressive. Elena's connection with Mikhail doesn't sizzle as it might. (I see why she's attracted to him, but not the reverse.) I wanted more, also, of Elena's towering laziness and selfishness.

But, with lovely support from Zoran Kovcic (Waffles), Penelope Reed (hilarious as Maria), and Irma J. Mason (Nurse), this is good Chekhov, and, as good Chekhov always is, fresh and worth seeing.

Uncle Vanya. Through March 5 at Hedgerow Theatre Company, 64 Rose Valley Rd., Rose Valley. Tickets: $20-$34. Information: 610-565-4211, hedgerowtheatre.org.