2008 Woodie Awards
Cherry Orchard production pleases crowds
Mary Petrides
Issue date: 10/11/07 Section: Arts
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Sunrise. A toy box, toy train, bookshelf, and a few pieces of sheet-shrouded furniture sat on the floor of the playroom. A string quartet played softly in the background, their music fading as the lights faded. The play began.
"The Cherry Orchard" by Anton Chekhov is the story of a family in debt. The only feasible solution, proposed by Lopakin, played by sophomore Christian Campbell, is to sell the cherry orchard that has been in the family for generations.
Lovey, played by senior Becky Briggs, blinds herself to the situation and continues to spend extravagantly and give generously. Through tears and laughter, Lovey learns to accept that the cherry orchard must be sold and finally the family moves away.
The play also explores the changing Russian culture of the 19th century. The bumbling yet faithful elderly servant First, played by Professor of Philosophy James Stephens, personifies the past, and Peter Trofimov, played by senior Zach Hendrickson, portrays the progressive movement.
Hendrickson said that being the "mangy gentleman," as his character is called in the play, is "a lot like my normal life, I suppose."
Though the characters were difficult to keep track of at first, their personalities sorted themselves out quickly enough. Firs and the loquacious Gaev, played by senior Matthew Macaulay, brought laughs at almost every appearance.
A spectacular lighting job - the reflection of windows on the stage, the beautiful sunsets and sunrises on the screen - brought the play together.
Sophomore Kate Jones said the play is her favorite Chekhov piece. She described the play as "every real moment of life shoved into two and a half hours."
Jones said the cast bonded both as actors and as characters, which is important in a Chekhov piece.
Director James Brandon said the play is highly detailed and that Chekov left very little room for choices and creativity on his part.
Artyom Chelbayev, a sophomore who grew up in Russia, said the "director did a pretty good job."
"The Cherry Orchard" by Anton Chekhov is the story of a family in debt. The only feasible solution, proposed by Lopakin, played by sophomore Christian Campbell, is to sell the cherry orchard that has been in the family for generations.
Lovey, played by senior Becky Briggs, blinds herself to the situation and continues to spend extravagantly and give generously. Through tears and laughter, Lovey learns to accept that the cherry orchard must be sold and finally the family moves away.
The play also explores the changing Russian culture of the 19th century. The bumbling yet faithful elderly servant First, played by Professor of Philosophy James Stephens, personifies the past, and Peter Trofimov, played by senior Zach Hendrickson, portrays the progressive movement.
Hendrickson said that being the "mangy gentleman," as his character is called in the play, is "a lot like my normal life, I suppose."
Though the characters were difficult to keep track of at first, their personalities sorted themselves out quickly enough. Firs and the loquacious Gaev, played by senior Matthew Macaulay, brought laughs at almost every appearance.
A spectacular lighting job - the reflection of windows on the stage, the beautiful sunsets and sunrises on the screen - brought the play together.
Sophomore Kate Jones said the play is her favorite Chekhov piece. She described the play as "every real moment of life shoved into two and a half hours."
Jones said the cast bonded both as actors and as characters, which is important in a Chekhov piece.
Director James Brandon said the play is highly detailed and that Chekov left very little room for choices and creativity on his part.
Artyom Chelbayev, a sophomore who grew up in Russia, said the "director did a pretty good job."
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