The Proposal & The Bear: Two one act comedies by Anton Chekhov
Fri, 29 Aug 2025
8:00 - 10:00 PM (EDT)
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Refund Policy: No refunds
The Proposal
In this comedic one-act, a suitor’s attempt to propose to a young woman is hilariously derailed by a heated dispute over land ownership. As the prospective groom, Ivan, nervously tries to focus on his romantic intentions, a series of ridiculous arguments between him and the daughter, Natalya, ensue—first over the boundaries of their family land, then over which of their dogs is the better hunter. Meanwhile, Ivan’s hypochondria escalates, adding to the absurdity of the situation. Set in late 19th-century Russia, this witty play humorously highlights the absurdity of marriage negotiations tied to land ownership, all while delivering sharp, laugh-out-loud moments in just 30 minutes.
In this comedic one-act, a suitor’s attempt to propose to a young woman is hilariously derailed by a heated dispute over land ownership. As the prospective groom, Ivan, nervously tries to focus on his romantic intentions, a series of ridiculous arguments between him and the daughter, Natalya, ensue—first over the boundaries of their family land, then over which of their dogs is the better hunter. Meanwhile, Ivan’s hypochondria escalates, adding to the absurdity of the situation. Set in late 19th-century Russia, this witty play humorously highlights the absurdity of marriage negotiations tied to land ownership, all while delivering sharp, laugh-out-loud moments in just 30 minutes.
The Bear
This one-act brings a grieving widow and a debt collector together in a riotous battle of wills. After a year of seclusion following her husband’s death, the widow has little interest in paying her late husband’s debt. When the debt collector demands payment and insults her with his misogynistic views, she accepts his challenge to a duel—despite having no idea how to handle a gun. As the two engage in a playful, flirtatious back-and-forth, their fiery argument evolves into unexpected attraction, all while skewering the silliness of money matters and the complexities of love, loss, and human connection. With its blend of slapstick comedy and sharp social commentary, The Bear delivers plenty of laughs and a surprising twist on flirtation.
This one-act brings a grieving widow and a debt collector together in a riotous battle of wills. After a year of seclusion following her husband’s death, the widow has little interest in paying her late husband’s debt. When the debt collector demands payment and insults her with his misogynistic views, she accepts his challenge to a duel—despite having no idea how to handle a gun. As the two engage in a playful, flirtatious back-and-forth, their fiery argument evolves into unexpected attraction, all while skewering the silliness of money matters and the complexities of love, loss, and human connection. With its blend of slapstick comedy and sharp social commentary, The Bear delivers plenty of laughs and a surprising twist on flirtation.
Both plays deliver a mix of humor, absurdity, and insight into human relationships, perfect for an evening of light-hearted entertainment with a touch of clever social commentary.