Anton Chekov's ''Cherry Orchard'' opens tonight at Youngstown State University.
Matthew Mazourski directs the comedy/drama that is considered one of the masterpieces of world theater.
The play takes place on the grounds of Lyubov Andreyevna Ranevskaya's estate, somewhere in the provinces of Russia. Lopakhin, a sometime peasant who has become a wealthy businessman, and Dunyasha, the maid, are waiting for Lyubov. She has been away from home a long time, living in Paris with her lover. When she arrives with her daughter, Anya, she is welcomed by her brother, Gayev, and other family, friends, staff and neighbors.
Lyubov and Gayev recall happy times from their childhoods on the estate. But unless the family can raise enough money to save it, the estate will have to be sold to clear Lyubov's debts. They concoct several plans, one of which entails cutting down their famous cherry orchard. But no one plan is settled upon. As August approaches, when the estate must be auctioned off to meet the mortgage payments, what unfolds in this household is a comedy-drama of timeless, bittersweet beauty.
The cast includes Rebecca Anderson ( of Cortland) as Charlotta; Connor Bezeredi (Salem) as Leonid Gaev; Tony Genovese (Youngstown) as Yermolai Lopakin; Josh Green (Youngstown) as Boris Semyonov-Pischik; Patrick Hobby (Poland) as Semyon Yepihodov; Carly Magnuson (Canfield) as Varya; Cheney Morgan (Boardman) as Firs; Alex Samuels (Worthington) as Station Master/Servant; Jessica Schmidt (Salem) as Anya; Eric Shonk (Canal Winchester) as Passerby / Servant / Postmaster; Kelly Sullivan (Youngstown) as Lovey Ranevskaya; Mark Warchol (Poland) as Peter Trofimov and Ashley Whited (Struthers) as Dunyasha.
University Theater will stage ''Cherry Orchard'' at 7:30 p.m. today, Friday, Saturday and Oct. 12-13 and 3 p.m. Sunday and Oct. 14 in Bliss Hall's Spotlight Arena Theater. All seating is general admission.
Tickets are $10 for adults; $5 for senior citizens, YSU faculty and staff, Penguin Club members, YSU alumni and non-YSU students; and free for YSU students with a valid ID. For high schools where the play is being taught, student groups are welcome to attend and group pricing is available. For reservations ore more information, call 330-941-3105.