Literature classes worldwide study Anton Chekhov (1860-1904), a great innovator of the short story. He wrote closely observed and deeply empathic slices-of-life with a great sense of humor, but the Russian-Lit-class-version of Dr. Chekhov often overlooks the vitality of his work in the theater.
Theater people like me know him as a playwright, the creative counterpart to the acting teacher Konstanti…