Andrei Vasilich Kovrin, a revolutionary young scholar, has returned home for some much needed rest. His former guardian, the renowned horticulturist Yegor Semyonich Pesotsky, has been toiling to save their orchard estate in the face of an uncertain future. As if by providence Pesotsky’s greatest hope seems confirmed in Kovrin’s homecoming, with particular regard to his only daughter, Tanya. As their lives and labors begin to find happy balance, Kovrin resumes his important work, but is shortly visited by an enchanting emissary from the unknown, the legendary Black Monk. The Black Monk brings with him the promise of a glorious future for all and the answer to Kovrin’s very deepest of questions. The only trouble is no one else can see or hear him.

David Rabe has magnificently captured the soul of Chekhovian drama in his adaptation, and simultaneously delivers his most haunting and poetic play to date.

Simpatico’s THE BLACK MONK is a rare opportunity to experience David Rabe at his best and most unique, while catching a “new” play by master dramatist Anton Chekhov. Not to be missed!