Intiman artistic director Bartlett Sher (The Light in the Piazza) stages the work, which began previews June 12 at his Washington state company's home for a run through July 18.

Set in Moscow at the turn of the 20th century, the classic drama centers on a retired professor who, with his beautiful young new wife, revisits his country home where his ex-wife's brother still lives.

"There are people who say Uncle Vanya is about despair and frustration, and others who say it is about hope and courage. In fact, it's about all of those things," stated Sher in a release. "This might be my favorite play on earth, because its basic themes are the things I care most about: love and work."

His cast features Samantha Mathis — the film actress of "Little Women" and "The Thing Called Love," who has performed on Broadway in The Man Who Had All the Luck and in Donald Margulies' Collected Stories in Los Angeles — as Elena.

The cast also includes Allen Fitzpatrick (as Professor Serebriakov), Kristin Flanders (Sonya), Lori Larsen (Maria), Todd Jefferson Moore (Telegin), Mark Nelson (Vanya) and Paula Nelson (Nanny). The design team includes John McDermott (scenic), Deb Trout (costumes), Brian MacDevitt (lighting) and Joseph Swartz (sound). Claire E. Zawa serves as stage manager.

The production reteams Lucas and Sher, who worked on another Chekhov adaptation, Three Sisters (seen at Intiman in 2005) as well as the musical The Light in the Piazza (with composer Guettel). Other collaborations include Singing Forest and The Dying Gaul.

The season at Seattle's Intiman will continue with the Lucas world premiere Prayer for My Enemy (July 27-Aug. 26) and the American Cycle series presentation of To Kill a Mockingbird (Sept. 14-Oct. 28).

Tickets to Uncle Vanya at the Intiman, 201 Mercer Street at Seattle Center, can be purchased at (206) 269-1900. For more information, visit www.intiman.org.