Austin Pendleton has a long history with Anton Chekhov's "Uncle Vanya," both as director and actor in the title role. His latest effort, directing the Chekhov classic at the CSC clearly shows, after all the time spent in Vanya's company, he gets it.

It's a good but uneven production featuring an outstanding performance by Denis O'Hare that illuminates "Uncle Vanya" with impressive clarity.

Practically everyone in this depicted Russian country estate complains of boredom, but if staged correctly, these bored characters can fascinate, and by the third act, they do.

Chekhov writes beautifully about eternal longing, and the pain and heartache that comes from a wasted lifetime of resentment and unrequited love.

Vanya lives here with his mother, his niece Sonya whose mother is dead, and their servants. They are visited by the dashing Dr. Astrov; and most recently Sonya's father, a respected and pompous academic, who moved back in with his beautiful young wife Yelena.

Pendleton's naturalistic approach along with Carol Rocamora's vibrant translation puts the 1899 masterpiece in a fresh new light.

Somewhat less successful is Santo Loquasto's cluttered 2-tiered set featuring a line of towering beams diagonally intersecting the stage. The interesting concept makes for obstructed views.

The central performances are strong - Maggie Gyllenhaal as Yelena is a lovely actress essentially playing a trophy wife with more substance than appears.

Mamie Gummer extends her range with a delicately nuanced portrait of the wistful Sonya who sees her prime passing by.

Peter Sarsgaard evokes the ennui of an accomplished man who's long outgrown his surroundings.

Denis O'Hare is that rare talent who can play comedy and tragedy almost simultaneously. Capturing Vanya's unfulfilled existence, he delivers a harrowing last gasp of a lost soul.

While flawed, this production starts rather slowly, but it nicely manages to brush years of dust from the century-old classic, creating a Vanya that balances Chekhov's light and dark with remarkable relevance.