One hundred years ago, Russian playwright Anton Chekhov opened a play intended to be a bittersweet comedy. Chekhov’s “The Cherry Orchard” was his last play, and according to some, his masterpiece.
Catawba College’s Theatre Arts Department will present this acclaimed play of contemporary theatre at 7:30 p.m. February 15-19 in Hedrick Theatre on campus. College Theatre Arts Professor Dayna Anderson will direct it.
In the century which followed a triumphant run at the prestigious Moscow Art Theatre in 1904, there has been electrifying debate regarding “The Cherry Orchard’s” intended theme. Is it a play about the struggle of old versus new values? Yes. Is it a play about the haves and the have-nots? Yes, that too. Is it a play about actions both done and left undone? Yes, indeed. But a terse descriptive only serves to diminish the complexity of this exquisitely crafted play. The audience is invited to explore what Chekhov’s work means to them today and to acknowledge, as his character’s do, their own sins of omission.
Cast members include Sophomore Caitlin Heinen of Wawwatosa, Wis., as Lyubov; Sophomore Jes Dugger of Gainsville, Fla., as Anya; Freshman Betsy Foster of Baltimore, Md., as Varya; Freshman Brianna Smith of Austin, Texas, as Charlotta; Junior Briana Raymond of Spring Hill, Fla., as Dunyasha; Senior Andy Maben of Morganton as Gayev; Junior Taylor Edwards of Hickory as Lopakhin; Junior David Loehr of Charlotte as Petya; Junior Giuseppe Riotorto of Greensboro as Pishchik; Freshman Michael Lasris of Seaford, Va., as Yepikhodov; Freshman Justin Johnson of Fuquay-Varina as Firs; Freshman Jordan Danz of Mequon, Wis., as Yasha; Freshman Sam Brooks of Seaford, Va., as Station Master; and Freshman Sarah Selman of Rome, Ga., as Servant/Guest.
Crew members include Senior Jason Evarts of Newington, Conn., technical director; Junior Robyn Smith of Chambersburg, Pa., assistant director, hair and makeup designer; Professor Christopher Zink, set designer; Junior Jessica Moretti of Charlotte, assistant set designer; Professor Eric Abott, costume designer; Junior J.T. Kesler of Salisbury, assistant costume designer; Professor David Pulliam, light designer; Senior Anthony Johnson of Burlington, sound designer; Sophomore Lauren Connolly of Moon Township, Pa., stage manager; and Sophomore Joey Yow of High Point assistant stage manager and lighting prep.
Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for students and senior citizens. For more information, call the Catawba College Box Office at 704-637-4481. Group rates are available.
