“What’s so funny, Mr. Chekhov?” This question is often heard from critics and directors who still are puzzled with the definition of Chekhov’s four major plays as comedies. Traditionally, all of them are staged and directed mostly as dramas, melodramas, or even tragedies. The course is intended to provide the participants with a concept of dramatic genre that will assist them in approaching Chekhov’s plays as comedies. In addition to reading Chekhov’s works, Russian and western productions and film adaptations of Chekhov’s works will be screened. Among them, Vanya on 42nd Street (Andre Gregory), and Four Funny Families (Vera Zubarev).