The Cherry Orchard

From: "will stackman" profwlll@yahoo.com

Subject: Quicktake - "The Cherry Orchard" by Anton Chekov

Date: Thurs, Jan 11, 9:03 AM

Quicktake on THE CHERRY ORCHARD

     The Huntington Theatre Company's current production, "Anton Chekov"s "The Cherry Orchard," directed by Nicholas Martin feels like a translation. British playwright Richard Nelson's version of one of the foundations of modern drama seems distant. The words are accurate but filtered through an interpretation which views the action as completely dependent on the difficult circumstances of the central character, Mme. Ranevskaya, played efficiently by Kate Burton, though more as Lyuba -- her character's diminutive. The cast, a mixture of older professionals and younger talent, dressed in accurate turn-of-the-20th century style, tries hard to bring the show to life. The last work of Chekov, which he thought of as a serious comedy, is more a novel than a drama. Martin's workmanlike direction doesn't lift it far from the page. Understanding the characters doesn't seem to help them become real.

     The set, which has only two of the three locales specified by the author, is an undistinguished effort by Ralph Funicello with a limiting floorplan. The famous orchard is projected a double scrim curtain between acts. The only believable sound effect is the distant train; the famous snapping violin string and the sounds of trees being chopped are insufficient. All-in-all, the production has an undistinguished summer festival feel. Of the men, veteran actor Mark Blum makes Gaev, Lyuba's brother, almost too sympathetic, Jeremiah Kissell plays Pishchik, the impecunious neighbor accurately, but on one note, and surprisingly, Will LeBow's Lophakin, who can either be the show's hero or villain, comes off as just another frustrated Russian. The younger woman, Jessica Rothenberg, a BU/SFA sophomore, as Anya, the youngest daughter, and Sarah Hudnut, as Varya, the older adopted daughter who serves as Lyuba's housekeeper, brighten up their scenes and generate some sympathy, but their personal crises are only fleeting. Almost everything about the show is appropriate and respectful, but not particularly illuminating

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"The Cherry Orchard" by Anton Chekov, Jan. 5 - Feb. 4

Huntington Theatre Co. at BU Theatre

264 Huntington Ave., (617) 266-0800
HTC