Theatre and television star Kate Burton (“The Constant Wife,” “Hedda Gabler,” TV’s “Grey’s Anatomy”) will lead a stellar cast in the Huntington Theatre Company’s production of Anton Chekhov’s masterpiece “The Cherry Orchard,” running January 5 - February 4, 2007, at the Huntington’s mainstage, the Boston University Theatre.  Huntington Artistic Director Nicholas Martin directs this new version by Tony Award-winning playwright Richard Nelson.
 
Martin commented, “I am thrilled to bring this play to the Huntington with an all-star cast led by Kate Burton who is – by any measure – one of the foremost actresses of the American stage."
 
Burton, a multiple Tony nominee, plays Madame Ranevskaya, the spendthrift matriarch of a wealthy Russian family whose beloved estate is being sold at auction for non-payment of the mortgage. Burton has described herself as “growing up in Chekhov,” having played all of his heroines including several other parts in “The Cherry Orchard.” (Burton was a Russian language major before going to Yale School of Drama.) 

Veteran stage and film actors Dick Latessa, Joyce Van Patten and Mark Blum co-star in the production alongside Boston actors Will LeBow and Jeremiah Kissel, and a troupe of younger actors including several Boston University students.
 
“The Cherry Orchard,” Chekhov's comic masterpiece, begins as Madame Ranevskaya, daughter Anya and Governess Charlotta return to her Moscow estate from Paris, where she has been living and spending extravagantly for several years following the death of her son. 

Her adopted daughter Varya, brother Gaev, and the house staff have struggled to maintain the once-grand mansion, now heavily mortgaged to support Ranevskaya’s lifestyle.  Her return is heralded by family and friends, including Lopakin, a former peasant turned wealthy merchant who warns about an impending auction to pay off estate debts and outlines a plan to save it by selling off pieces of the beloved orchard. 

Romance blooms among the cherry trees; a love triangle crops up between the new servant Yasha, Dunyasha the maid, and Yephikhov, a clerk.  Varya tries to prevent a union between her sister Anya and perpetual student Trofimov.  And everyone assumes Varya will marry Lopakin, although no proposal has been made.
 
“’The Cherry Orchard,’ one of my favorite plays, switches with lightning speed from pathos to humor and shows why Chekhov is perhaps the most humane of all playwrights,” Martin says.
 
Playwright Richard Nelson, from whom the Huntington commissioned this piece, adapted this version from three early 20th-century translations. He has written and directed for stage, screen, radio and television in the U.S. and England.  His works include “Goodnight Children Everywhere” (Olivier Award, Best Play), “Two Shakespearean Actors” (Tony nomination, Best Play), “Some Americans Abroad” (Olivier Award nomination, Best Comedy), and the musical adaptation of “James Joyce’s The Dead” (Tony Award, Best Book of a Musical).  He has adapted and/or translated Chekhov’s “The Seagull,” “The Wood Demon” and “Three Sisters” among others.  His film work includes “Ethan Frome” for Miramax.  Nelson is chair of the Yale School of Drama playwriting department.
 
Mark Blum (Gaev) starred in the 2004 Broadway revival of “Twelve Angry Men,” the 2000 and 2001 revivals of Gore Vidal’s “The Best Man” and “The Thousand Clowns” respectively, and created roles in “My Thing of Love” and Neil Simon’s “Lost in Yonkers” with Kevin Spacey.  Blum appeared in Roundabout Theatre Company’s 1976 production of “The Cherry Orchard.”
 
Kate Burton (Ranevskaya) was nominated for Tony Awards for each of her last three Broadway roles (2006’s “The Constant Wife,” the Huntington’s 2002 revival of “Hedda Gabler” directed by Nicholas Martin, and the 2002 revival of “The Elephant Man”).  She received a 2006 Emmy nomination for her portrayal of Dr. Ellis Grey on the hit ABC-TV series, “Grey’s Anatomy” and has a recurring role on the FX Network’s “Rescue Me.”

 Jeremiah Kissel (Pishchik) is a Huntington favorite who has appeared in the company’s productions of “The Sisters Rosensweig” (2005), “Sonia Flew” (2004),  “A Month in the Country” (2002), and “Betty's Summer Vacation” (2000), all directed by Nicholas Martin.  A 25-year veteran of Boston theatre, he received The Elliot Norton Award for Sustained Excellence in 2003.
 
Dick Latessa (Firs) received Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle awards in 2003 for his portrayal of Wilbur Turnblad in the hit Broadway musical “Hairspray.” His three-decade-plus career includes a Helen Hayes Award for the 1999 revival of “Cabaret,” major roles in the Broadway revivals of “A Funny Thing Happened...” and “Damn Yankees,” as well as several Neil Simon plays.

Will LeBow (Lopakin) was previously seen in the Huntington’s 2006 production of “Love’s Labour’s Lost,” 2005’s “The Rivals” and the 2004 world premiere production of “Sonia Flew” (all directed by Nicholas Martin).  He has been a member of the acting company at the American Repertory Theatre for 12 seasons, and worked with Commonwealth Shakespeare Company and Gloucester Stage Company, among many others.

 Joyce Van Patten (Charlotta) is a revered theatre and film actress who has performed regularly on the New York stage since her debut in 1941.  A favorite of master comedic playwright Neil Simon’s, Van Patten has created roles in his Broadway plays “Jake's Women,” “Rumors,” “Brighton Beach Memoirs” and “I Ought to Be in Pictures.”
 
The cast also includes: Jeremy Beck, Robert Bonotto, Jessica Dickey, Gene Farber, Enver Gjokaj, Sarah Hudnut and two Boston University students -- Jessica Rothenberg in her professional debut, and Patrick Lynch.

Related Special Events:

January 9 — SNEAK PREVIEW
Presentation by a member of the Huntington's artistic staff, featuring contextual background and production-related information, 6:30 p.m. at the theatre. Free with ticket purchase.

January 11 — NEIGHBORHOOD NIGHT (BACK BAY)
Residents of Back Bay are invited to enjoy discounted tickets and a pre-show reception in the lower lobby of the BU Theatre.  Reception 6 p.m., free with ticket purchase.

January 17 — OUT AND ABOUT CLUB
For members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities to mingle with staff, artists and each other before the 7 p.m. show.  Pre-show reception at 6 p.m.  Free with ticket purchase.
 
January 18 — ACTORS FORUM
Participating members of the cast will appear after the 7:30 p.m. performance to answer audience questions. Free with ticket purchase.

January 18 — NEIGHBORHOOD NIGHT (SOUTH END)
Residents of the South End are invited to enjoy discounted tickets and a pre-show reception in the lower lobby of the BU Theatre.  Reception 6 p.m., free with ticket purchase.

January 21 — HUMANITIES FORUM
Humanities Forum is a lively discussion about the issues and ideas presented in the production. After 2 p.m. show. Free with ticket purchase.
 
January 27 — AUDIO-DESCRIBED PERFORMANCE
For audience members who are blind or have low-vision, the 2 p.m. performance is audio described using the latest in digital audio equipment. Email Amanda Rota at arota@huntingtontheatre.bu.edu or call 617-273-1558 for pricing and other information.

January 31 — ACTORS FORUM
Participating members of the cast will appear after the 2 p.m. performance to answer audience questions. Free with ticket purchase.

For tickets and information, stop by the Huntington box office, call 617-266-0800 or visit www.huntingtontheatre.org.

-- OnStage Boston

12/06/06