UT DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE & DANCE
OPENS 2011 FALL SEASON WITH
ANTON CHEKHOV’S
THE CHERRY ORCHARD

STARRING LAUREN LANE
DIRECTED BY BRANT POPE

SEPTEMBER 16-25, 2011
IN THE OSCAR G. BROCKETT THEATRE

PRE-PERFORMANCE DISCUSSION
ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 6 P.M.- 7:15 P.M.
WITH DR. JAMES LOEHLIN & BRANT POPE

The University of Texas at Austin Department of Theatre and Dance opens the 2011 Fall season with The Cherry Orchard, September 16 – 25 at the Oscar G. Brockett Theatre. Russian playwright Anton Chekhov’s last play, The Cherry Orchard is a poignant and comical tale of an aristocratic family on the cusp of change. The production stars Lauren Lane (TV: The Nanny; Stage: ZACH Theatre’s production of August: Osage County), Lucien Douglas (Miss Congeniality), Brooks Barr, and a cast of student talent.

Directed by Theatre & Dance department chair Brant Pope, The Cherry Orchard continues to resonate with audiences 100 years after it was first produced. Pope explains, “The current crisis in our nation makes The Cherry Orchard story particularly pertinent to our audiences. A once affluent and socially prominent family’s way of life stands on the edge of oblivion due to the changing economic and social forces they cannot control. Somehow, despite everything, these charming yet exasperating people find a way to meet each new day and move forward.”

For more information, please visit texasperformingarts.org/event/orchard.

Campus & Community Engagement Event:

Saturday, September 22, 6 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.

A special pre-performance discussion, Chekhov, our Contemporary will be held on September 22 at 6:00 p.m. Guest speakers include Dr. James Loehlin, author of Chekhov: The Cherry Orchard and director of the Shakespeare at Winedale Program, and the play’s director, Brant Pope. In addition, scenes from The Cherry Orchard and El Nogalar (performed at the Goodman Theatre in April 2011) will be presented by two members of the cast. Admission to this special event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited.

CALENDAR LISTING:

September 16-25, 2011 – The University of Texas Department of Theatre & Dance presents THE CHERRY ORCHARD in the Oscar G. Brockett Theatre (300 E. 23rd St.), located in the F. Loren Winship Drama Building. A map of the campus: texasperformingarts.org/visit/maps_directions. Performance times are September 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, & 24 at 8:00p.m, and September 18 & 25 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets ($20 adults, $17 UT faculty & staff, $15 student) are now on sale at the following authorized ticket outlets, which include the Bass Concert Hall Box Office, most H-E-B stores and all Texas Box Office outlets, online at TexasPerformingArts.org, or by calling (512) 477-6060 or (800) 982-BEVO.

Media Contact:
Gene Bartholomew; 512.471.0632; gbartholomew@texasperformingarts.org
Cassie Gholston; 512.232.5301; gholston@austin.utexas.edu