Nothing and Everything

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Nothing and Everything

Photograph of cast of Nothing and Everything outside. Improvised Chekhov

Go see this show people. It’s amazing.
Michael Joplin,Voted Best Actor, 2014 Austin Chronicle “Best of Austin”


Some of the tightest, funniest, deepest improv work I’ve ever seen from a team of absolute all-stars.
Steve Moore, Physical Plant Theater


“Nothing is funnier than unhappiness.” – Samuel Beckett, Endgame

Saturdays at 8pm, Nov. 8th – Dec. 20th

Improvised Anton Chekhov Plays. Directed by Jon Bolden

Anton Chekhov is arguably the most celebrated playwright since Shakespeare. Mostly known for his hundreds of short stories, this giant of Russian literature cemented his reputation with four major plays written in his final decade: The Seagull, Uncle VanyaThree Sisters, and The Cherry Orchard. Chekhov is highly regarded for launching theater into the 20th century by writing characters so rich they spark hours of conversation and debate among both scholars and enthusiasts. Yet in spite of these accomplishments, readers and playgoers commonly utter the complaint that “nothing happens.”

The Hideout Theatre presents Nothing and Everything, an improvised show whose title is inspired by the common reaction to these plays. A cast of eleven of some of Austin’s most experienced improvisational actors will make up original tales of idle, turn-of-the-century Russian provincial lives.

They’ll explore new Chekhovian worlds, in which nothing seems to happen except the timeless things normal people struggle with and make light of every day: love, death, happiness, suffering, God, fear, and longing. Starting with details provided by each evening’s audience, a small community of real people with hopes and fears will emerge into a full night of comedy and tragedy. Comedy? Yes, that’s right! Much like our own lives, the unhappiness of Chekhov’s subjects are surrounded by unexpected humor in unexpected places.

Don’t be afraid to laugh!

Come see The Hideout’s esteemed improvisers create original plays inspired by Chekhov’s exalted theatrical work for an evening where nothing happens except life, laughter, love, and death. Saturdays at 8pm, November 8th through December 20th.


The cast features several award–winning performers & crew:

Kareem Badr (Parallelogramophonograph, B.Iden Payne nominated director)
Kaci Beeler (Parallelogramophonograph, Austin Chronicle Best of: 2012 Best Actress)
Andrew Buck (I Love You So MuchMandinka, YesAndrew.com)
Cat Drago (Kenjutsu, A Bedtime Gorey)
Courtney Hopkin (Your Terrific Neighbors, Austin Secrets)
Marc Majcher (Hurly BurlyB.Iden Payne nominated director, Breaking Beckett)
Troy Miller (2013 Austin Film Festival Writing Award, )
Peter Rogers (FakespeareLive Nude Improv, Dickens Unleashed!)
Jordan T. Maxwell (From Hulu’s Battleground, Austin Critics Circle award for Live Nude Improv)
Megan Sherrod (Austin Lyric Opera ChorusH.M.S Pinafore, The Marriage of Figaro)
Valerie Ward (Parallelogramophonograph, B.Iden Payne nominated director)

Directed by: Jon Bolden (B.Iden Payne nominated director)
Production Assistant: David Yakubik
Production Assistant: Rachel Austin
Technical Improvisers: Michael Yew, Lindsey McGowen, and Cortney DeAngelo
Graphic and Scenic Design: Kaci Beeler
Photography: Jon Bolden

Runtime: 4 Acts, 70 – 95 minutes w/ intermission