The Cherry
Orchard
Roundabout Theatre Company
American Airlines Theatre
September 23, 2016
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| Photo courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company |
Stephen
Karam’s new adaptation of The Cherry Orchard, presently in previews at Roundabout Theatre Company, is spectacular. Mr. Karam brings Chekhov’s masterpiece into
the 21st century, making clear the economic class changes in Russia
in 1904. Director Simon Godwin
highlights moments for each character that range from heartwarming to
victorious to tragic. Together this partnership
takes the audience on a journey deep within their own fears, resistances, and
futures. They create a final act that is
pertinent to present day class struggles.
The
Andreyevich family is facing bankruptcy.
Their estate, which includes their most valued cherry orchard, is soon
to be auctioned off to pay their debts.
Ranevskaya (played by Diane Lane) returns from Paris in an attempt to
unite with her family in saving the cherry orchard. They face the monumental challenges that come
with an unwillingness to accept their economic collapse and present circumstances.
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| Diane Lane & Harold Perrineau Photo courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company |
Harold
Perrineau is encouraging and confident as Lopakhin, whose father and
grandfather were serf (slaves), once owned by the Andreyevich family. The parallels of Tsar Alexander II’s
Emancipation Reform of 1861 to Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation in
1863 are clear and effective. Lopakhin’s
sense of empowerment is victorious when he purchases the cherry orchard at
auction. It is a severely jubilant
moment that packs a mighty punch to the Andreyevich family. Mr. Perrineau’s portrayal is authentic and
truthful.
Led
by Diane Lane, the entire cast is outstanding. She is revered, tender, and stoic as
Ranevskaya. Ms. Lane carries the
grandeur of her character’s past as a protection from the future. Her sense of hope and belief is powerful, and
her loss and grief are devastating. John
Glover is charming, silly, and strong as her brother, Gaev. The naiveté of his character brings levity to
the seriousness of the family’s situation, which magnifies their downfall. Joel Grey is sad and touching as Firs, the
aging butler. His grasp of the old ways
is potent and eerie. His timing and
humor are endearing, illustrating a warm view of the family’s obsolete
lifestyle. There are also strong
performances by Chuck Cooper, Tavi Gevinson, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Kyle Beltran,
Tina Benko, Susannah Flood, and Quinn Mattfeld.
The
set design by Scott Pask is brilliant.
His powerful images and choices of symbols conjure broad emotions that
force the audience to delve into their imagination. This is further enhanced by the lighting
design of Donald Holder. Michael Krass’
costume designs span centuries, thus pushing the perspective into the
present. Together these designers make
the family’s loss and reluctant acceptance of change a valid occurrence to a
present day audience.
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| Celia Keenan-Bolger, Diane lane, Tavi Gevinson, & Kyle Beltran Photo courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company |
This
production is not to be missed.
Chekhov’s complex characters and deeply emotional play is relevant and
alive in Mr. Karam’s new version. The Cherry Orchard runs at the American
Airlines Theatre through December 4.
Domenick Danza
