STAGE REVIEWS : A ‘Cherry Orchard’ for All Seasons at OCC

A good play is never out of date. A good political play can easily find a time to which it will be pertinent. Anton Chekhov’s “The Cherry Orchard,” written a century ago, seems written for today.

Russell Dunn has adapted and directed the classic for Orange Coast College’s Drama Lab Studio with a firm intention that we don’t forget the parallels between Chekhov’s day and ours. When blithely arrogant Gayev (Kelly A. Flynn) says that his type are the self-satisfied conservatives of the ‘80s, the implication is clear.

If Dunn has accomplished a playable and valid adaptation, he has also allowed some annoying anachronisms to slip in. In turn of the century Russia, no one would say “So go, already.” Nor would servant Yasha (Mark Coyan) light his cigarette with a Zippo lighter. They’re little things, but they take the edge off a staging that is otherwise, within its budget, pretty close to its period.

Because the family cannot pay the mortgage, they are about to lose their estate, including the large adjoining cherry orchard, to the sure fate of subdevelopment. Their blase lack of concern seems like a backward echo of what the 1990s have made of the yuppies of the past decade who are facing a continuing economic depression, when even California’s governor says the state’s good days are gone forever.

The mood of Chekhov’s ruined wealthy is well captured in some good performances. In particular there is the aloof, but ultimately warm and human Madame Ranevsky of Athena M. Rees. Although too young for the role, Rees captures Ranevsky’s aura and rhythms. Kathy Kaefer and Terri Mowrey are also very solid as her daughters, one blissfully blind to the coming disaster, the other all too aware.

Eric Person is a fascinating and intricate Lopakhin, the manipulative former serf who has risen in status and eventually buys them out at auction. The very difficult role of perennial student and firebrand Trofimov is handled with delicacy and insight by Roger Loftis. The best scene belongs to Loftis and Rees, the lines sounding as though they’re being spoken for the first time.

The problem with many in the cast is that they try to sound “period.” It slightly hinders Flynn’s Gayev, but totally destroys Faris George’s colorless Pishchick. Although interesting detail abounds in Armen Benson’s bookkeeper Epikodhov, his performance is far from the naturalistic tone of the production and looks out of place.

In spite of its many flaws, Dunn’s staging makes its points clearly, reminding us of the social cherry orchards in our own time that face destruction unless we learn how to preserve them.

‘The Cherry Orchard’

An Orange Coast College Repertory Theatre production of Anton Chekhov’s drama. Adapted and directed by Russell Dunn. With Shannon McCormick, Eric Person, Armen Benson, Bill Nelson, Athena M. Rees, Kelly A. Flynn, Kathy Kaefer, Terri Mowrey, Debi Ham, Faris George, Mark Coyan, Roger Loftis and Damon Hill. At the Drama Lab Studio, Orange Coast College, 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa. Performances Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sunday at 3 and 7 p.m. $6. (714) 432-5880. Running time: 2 hours, 15 minutes.