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Regional Reviews: Florida - West Coast The Cherry Orchard Also see Bill's reviews of On Broadway and Sotto Voce
I believe that proper style is a crucial ingredient, especially when producing plays or operas taking place in another era. Chekov is difficult to act but Malaev-Babel, with early experience in Russia (director for the Chamber Forms Theatre in Moscow), helps his cast nail the naturalistic acting style. I had the great good fortune to be sent to Russia to visit The Bolshoi Opera and Leningrad Opera (now Mariinskii) so I have some understanding of the unique Russian style, and this production conveys that, including the melancholia that hovers over most things Russian. It also makes room for moments of honest hilarity that seem to pop up amongst people who have lived large parts of their lives together. The deep relationships between these people, including the social hierarchy that controls them, was clearly laid out. The entire 2nd year class of 12 students is featured and every single member is giving a performance that demonstrates a great future in the theater. Lisa Woods plays the central role of Madame Lyubov, matriarch of the family. She is regal in bearing, weak in her inability to move past multiple tragedies, and formidable in every way. Jordan Sobel as Leonid Andreieveitch Gayev, her brother is to the manor born, incapable of digging in and working to save the ancestral home. Ally Farzetta and Kim Stephenson as Anya and Varya, Madame Lyubov's two daughters, mine these fascinating characters who really drive the family relations. Joe Knispel is quite fine as Lopakhin, son of serfs on the estate but now a wealthy man. He is confident and sure of himself but seems to understand the family's reluctance to accept him as an equal. Notable performances in supporting roles include Josh James as family hanger on Boris Simyonov-Pishchik, Mark Comer ready to step into any of the many elderly character roles that are all over Russian theater and opera as Firs, Evan Reynolds White as Semyon Yepikihodov, and Tom Harney as Charlota Ivanovna. Chris Alexey Diaz seemed just a bit out of place as student-dreamer Petya Trofimov because his costume and hair/makeup do not seem as authentically Russian as others. I cannot over-emphasize the brilliant authenticity that director Andrei Malaev-Babel has brought to this production. Clearly the style is in his blood. Everyone connected to this production in any way is supremely blessed to have an experience like this. Set and lighting design by Chris McVicker and costume design by Becki Leigh Stafford are important elements contributing to the perfection. Patricia Delorey, voice and speech coach, has done her usual superb job; I have less than perfect hearing but was able to understand every word, without microphones being used. Eliza Ladd is credited with Movement which probably has much to do with the regal bearing of all the aristocrats, even the ones in reduced circumstances, versus the way the servants and others carry themselves. I have seen The Cherry Orchard at least once before, but never in a production so perfect in Russian style. Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training presents The Cherry Orchard through April 26, 2015, at the Cook Theater in the FSU Center. 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Box Office (941) 351-8000. For more information visit www.asolorep.org. Cast: Madame Lyubov Andreievna Ranevskaya: Lisa Woods Directed by Andrei Malaev-Babel
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