The Cherry Orchard

“This is a joyous production of revelation and inspiration, near-perfect in its every aspect. Capping Court’s 1996-97 season, it brings this company up to the very front ranks of Chicago theater artistry.”

“…director Charles Newell’s staging bracingly brings to life the play’s 19th Century Russian society, at the same time making its people and situations immediate and important for our own world… everything about the production seems spontaneous, fresh and surprising.”

-Richard Christiansen, Chicago Tribune

The Cherry Orchard is the story of a mortgage, with the grounds and beautiful trees of the proud landowners going for sale at a public auction to pay off their debts to the boorish son of a peasant who has risen in the world. Mme Ranevskaya’s family departs to take up their lives anew, leaving the old and forgotten Firs to die alone as the woodsmen’s axes thud ironically against the cherished trees.

In Rotating Repertory with An Ideal Husband