 | The poster image for "The Cherry Orchard," Anton Chekhov's classic tale about the downfall of an aristocratic Russian family, which begins the Yale Rep's new season on Oct. 7. |
"The Cherry Orchard," Anton Chekhov's story about the eternal struggle between progress and beauty, will kick off the Yale Repertory Theatre's 40th anniversary season.
The play will be presented Oct. 7-29 in the University Theatre, 222 York St. Bill Rauch will direct this new production of the play, which was adapted by Alison Carey from the Chekhov masterpiece, as translated by Maria Amadei Ashot.
Set in Russia following the liberation of the serfs, "The Cherry Orchard" is a story about mothers and daughters, failed romances and new possibilities, family traditions and changing times. It begins when Madame Ranevskaya, fleeing a shattered love affair, returns to her country estate. Unbeknownst to her, she's rushing headlong into grim news about the family finances and the future of her beloved cherry orchard.
The cast of "The Cherry Orchard" features Alec Beard (Yasha), Carson Elrod (Yepikhodov), Rubén Garfias (Lopakhin), Patrick Garner (Ghayev), Tom Golden (A Passerby), Lisa Harrow (Madame Ranevskaya), Gerald Hiken (Firs), Gustave Johnson (Simeonov-Pishchik), Bridget Jones (Dunyasha), Laura Odeh (Anya), Jesse J. Perez (Trofimov), Sarayu Rao (Varya) and Brenda Thomas (Charlotta).
Director Rauch is an associate artist of Yale Rep where he conceived, co-adapted and co-directed the award-winning "Medea/Macbeth/Cinderella" in 2002 and last season directed the world premiere of "The Clean House" by Sarah Ruhl, which he will restage at Lincoln Center in the fall of 2006. Rauch is artistic director and co-founder of Cornerstone Theater Company and has directed over 40 of the company's productions; his credits also include numerous regional theater productions. Rauch has testified before Congress on behalf of the National Endowment for the Arts and was the only artist to win the inaugural Leadership for a Changing World Award. He is the Clair Trevor Professor of Drama at the University of California at Irvine.
"The Cherry Orchard" features choreography by Peter Pucci, scenic design by Christopher Acebo, costume design by Shigeru Yaji, lighting design by Michael Chybowski and sound design by Andrew Nagel.
Performances will be at 8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, with 2 p.m. matinees on Saturdays, Oct. 15, 22 and 29, and on Wednesday, Oct. 19. A preview performance will be held at 8 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 10
The Yale Rep will offer the following special events during the run of the play: "First Friday" (also Yale Parents Night) on Oct. 7, a pre-show presentation by members of the creative team with complimentary pizza and soft drinks courtesy of BAR; "Grad Night" on Saturday, Oct. 8, a pre-show discussion with members of the creative team with complimentary beer, wine and appetizers for graduate students; "Opening Night Celebration" on Friday, Oct. 14, with a celebration at an area restaurant following the performance; "Re:Play," a post-show question-and-answer session with the cast and crew following the matinee performances on Saturday, Oct. 15 (hosted by dramaturg Amy Boratko) and Saturday, Oct. 22 (hosted by the Yale Rep's associate artistic director Jennifer Kiger), and the evening performance on Friday, Oct. 21 (hosted by the Yale Rep's artistic director James Bundy); and "Senior Matinee" on Wednesday, Oct. 19, a pre-show presentation by members of the creative team, with refreshments courtesy of Atticus Café. In addition, "The Cherry Orchard" will be open-captioned on Saturday, Oct. 22, at 2 p.m. and audio-described on Saturday, Oct. 29, at 2 p.m.
The other offerings in the Yale Rep's 40th anniversary season will be "Safe in Hell" by Amy Freed (directed by Mark Wing-Davey) Nov. 11-Dec. 3; "The People Next Door" by Henry Adam (directed by Evan Yionoulis) Jan. 13-Feb. 4; "Brundibar/Comedy on the Bridge," a libretto by Tony Kushner adapted from Adolf Hoffmeister, with music by Hans Krasa and Bohuslav Martinu and sets and costumes by Maurice Sendak (directed by Tony Taccone) Feb. 10-March 5; "dance of the holy ghosts: a play on memory" by Marcus Gardley (directed by Liz Diamond) March 17-April 8; and "All's Well That Ends Well" by William Shakespeare (directed by James Bundy) April 21-May 20. The Yale Rep and Long Wharf Theatre will also co-present a special event, "Mabou Mines Dollhouse," conceived, directed and adapted by Lee Breuer from the play by Henrik Ibsen, March 31-April 1.
A variety of subscription packages ranging from $64 to $210 are available. Single tickets range from $30 to $50. Group, senior and student rates are also available (see related story). Tickets and subscriptions can be purchased in person at the Yale Rep box office, 1120 Chapel St. (corner of York); by phone at (203) 432-1234; or online at www.yalerep.org.
T H I S
Yale Rep launches its 40th season
with 'The Cherry Orchard'
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