Theatre & Stage reviews by SalsaChicago.com critic Al Bresloff

Cherry Orchard (thru March 5)

Moving forward in changing times; a concept that is often difficult to adapt to! The Steppenwolf Theatre Company's production of Anton Chekhov's Cherry Orchard (with a new translation by Curt Columbus) does just that. Directed by Tina Landau , who has assembled a fine cast of players, they have transformed the "Upstairs theater" (it used to be the Studio, but the productions are no longer Studio types and so the stages are now the Upstairs and Downstairs) bringing the audience into the room. Riccardo Hernandez has draped the room in white patterned lace and the back wall is lined with framed artwork. this makes us, the audience , feel that we are in fact in the Estate and thus part of the action.

Cherry Orchard is a comedy depicting the fall of the Aristocratic class, when the Ranevskaya Family is faced with losing their estate ,including the wonderful cherry orchard. There is to be an auction to sell it for the unpaid mortgage and while they cannot come up with the funds, the family turns down suggestions of converting the land to a summer tourist vacation spot by placing cabins throughout the orchard. Amy Morton is Lovey, the landowner, who despite the potential loss of her property still lends a hand to all who seek her aid. Just having Ms. Morton on a stage and watching her skillful character building alone is worth attending this production, but add to this the always special Yasen Peyankov as a merchant who has brought himself up from being a servant to a man of great wealth; Guy Adkins (who can get a laugh with great ease and does so throughout this production); Robert Breuler, and the always fantastic Rondi Reed, who will not only tickle your funny bone, but will amaze you with her magic (Dennis Watkins gets credit for being her consultant/teacher). Anne Adams, Chaon Cross, Francis Guinan,Leonard Kraft (who gets some solid one liners in himself),Ned Noyes, Elizabeth Rich, Ben Viccellio, Chris Yonan and Julian Martinez round out the solid cast that makes the evening a pure delight. This is a funny and sensual play as we learn about love, romance and how to deal with the changes in our lives; to make one's journey through change. As Charlotta says in Act two " I don't know who I am or where I'm from" and many of us would also add , " or where I am going".

This delightful romp, making Chekhov a comedy writer, will run at the Steppenwolf Upstairs Theatre, located on the third floor of the theater located at 1650 N. Halsted through March 5th 2005 with performances as follows:

Tuesday thru Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. Wednesday matinees at 2 p.m. on selected dates.

Tickets range from $20-$60 $20 rush tickets are available one hour before show (subject to availability).

Tickets can purchased at the box office, by phone at 312-335-1650 or online at www.steppenwolf.org.