The Cherry Orchard
by Anton Chekhov
by Anton Chekhov
*This is a Canadian Actors' Equity Association production under the Artists' Collective Policy
We are especially excited that we will be opening The Cherry Orchard on not only the anniversary of its original production, but also Chekhov’s birthday. On January 29th, 112 years ago, the Moscow Art Theatre presented the first production of this Chekhov masterpiece. The date was also Chekhov’s 44th birthday and would prove to be his last, as he died 6 months later.
"But it’s a comedy!” said Anton Chekhov of his greatest play.
Life in The Cherry Orchard is threatened as Russia teeters on the brink of enormous change. Yet there is singing and dancing, magic tricks and pratfalls as the lives of its thirteen characters slip between tragedy and farce, illusion and reality. And all the while they are swept along to the steady thrum of time passing. |
Presented by The Chekhov Collective
in association with Theatrus January 29 - February 14, 2016 Canadian Stage Berkeley Street Theatre [Upstairs] 26 Berkeley St., Ontario, Toronto Box Office: 416.368.3110 Tues - Sat, 8pm Sat + Sun matinee, 2pm Preview January 28, 8pm Director: Dmitry Zhukovsky
Set design: Dimitrii Khilchenko Lighting Design: Joseph Patrick Sound and music design: Rob Bertola Costume design: Kateryna Maryevych Stage manager: Heather Bellingham Producers: Rena Polley, Yulia Rubina Assistant producer: Laura Wilson Publicity: Carrie Sager, Flip Publicity Cast: Rena Polley, Thalia Kane,
Llyandra Jones, Richard Sheridan Willis, Andrew Pogson, Harrison Thomas, Neil Foster, Joy Tanner, Clayton Gray, Nina Gilmour, John Gilbert, Yury Ruzhyev, Dmitry Zhukovsky. |
Photos
Photos by Miriana Mitrovich
Reviews
"Handsome and entertaining. Chekhov classic takes to the Toronto stage"
"Two years ago, I fell madly in love with The Chekhov Collective’s production of The Seagull. It was my first experience of Chekhov and it greatly impressed me. With much anticipation, I found myself back in the Berkeley Street Theatre for their production of Anton Chekhov’s final play The Cherry Orchard. This company handles Chekhov with a lightness of tone that allows poignant truths to rise to the surface organically. There are no hysterics. There is a great deal of sadness, yes, but it weaves in and out of the characters without fanfare."
- MOONEY ON THEATRE
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"Two years ago, I fell madly in love with The Chekhov Collective’s production of The Seagull. It was my first experience of Chekhov and it greatly impressed me. With much anticipation, I found myself back in the Berkeley Street Theatre for their production of Anton Chekhov’s final play The Cherry Orchard. This company handles Chekhov with a lightness of tone that allows poignant truths to rise to the surface organically. There are no hysterics. There is a great deal of sadness, yes, but it weaves in and out of the characters without fanfare."
- MOONEY ON THEATRE
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“The action retains the light comic tone the playwright insisted upon..."
"The current production of The Cherry Orchard takes a light-hearted look at heavy-hearted sentiment and camaraderie in the midst of a crumbling family empire. Anton Chekhov’s lifelong preoccupation with familial ties that bind unravel then bind again in the midst of social turmoil finds itself elegantly staged in the Canstage upstairs space on Berkeley Street. The entire ensemble is a tightly balanced study in Chekhovian humour and melancholy. Don’t miss this movingly comic production as magic takes the stage and pulls tricks out of sleeves that become both sad and happy."
- BATEMAN REVIEWS
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"The current production of The Cherry Orchard takes a light-hearted look at heavy-hearted sentiment and camaraderie in the midst of a crumbling family empire. Anton Chekhov’s lifelong preoccupation with familial ties that bind unravel then bind again in the midst of social turmoil finds itself elegantly staged in the Canstage upstairs space on Berkeley Street. The entire ensemble is a tightly balanced study in Chekhovian humour and melancholy. Don’t miss this movingly comic production as magic takes the stage and pulls tricks out of sleeves that become both sad and happy."
- BATEMAN REVIEWS
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"The Cherry Orchard: a straight shot of Chekhov"
"Directed by Dmitry Zhukovsky, the cast performs the classic in all its glory, with Polley and Richard Sheridan Willis (playing Ranevskaya’s brother Gaev) frustratingly depicting the aristocratic mindset of that time period. Dogged in their ways and their spending habits, they nonchalantly continue to throw money away, unconcerned with the auctioning off of their property until the very end.Other notable performances include John Gilbert playing Firs, the family’s elderly manservant, and Joy Tanner as the governess/family magician."
- THE THEATRE READER
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"Directed by Dmitry Zhukovsky, the cast performs the classic in all its glory, with Polley and Richard Sheridan Willis (playing Ranevskaya’s brother Gaev) frustratingly depicting the aristocratic mindset of that time period. Dogged in their ways and their spending habits, they nonchalantly continue to throw money away, unconcerned with the auctioning off of their property until the very end.Other notable performances include John Gilbert playing Firs, the family’s elderly manservant, and Joy Tanner as the governess/family magician."
- THE THEATRE READER
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"Sweet Cherry with Bite ..."
"Anton Chekhov’s final masterwork The Cherry Orchard not only was it meant to be a comedy about class structure, it also provided as a impetus of a foreboding future for his fellow Russians as written in 1904. Local troupe The Chekhov Collective brings the play to full-bodied life of a bygone era with all of its metaphors and heritage to give that authentic feel of what it must have been seen and felt like when it performed over a century ago. Dmitry Zhukovsky’s nimble direction grounds this production of its proud Russian roots..."
- BYNOE ON ART
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"Anton Chekhov’s final masterwork The Cherry Orchard not only was it meant to be a comedy about class structure, it also provided as a impetus of a foreboding future for his fellow Russians as written in 1904. Local troupe The Chekhov Collective brings the play to full-bodied life of a bygone era with all of its metaphors and heritage to give that authentic feel of what it must have been seen and felt like when it performed over a century ago. Dmitry Zhukovsky’s nimble direction grounds this production of its proud Russian roots..."
- BYNOE ON ART
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Interviews
Interview: Harrison Thomas (Petya Trofimov in The Cherry Orchard) talks about his mum, actress Lucy Peacock, his love of theatre, and The Cherry Orchard.
Mother and son actors Lucy Peacock and Harrison Thomas rarely get to act in the same city. But Harrison is in The Cherry Orchard at the Berkeley Street Theatre while Peacock is in The Winter's Tale on the Danforth.
"How are you enjoying Chekhov?
Harrison Thomas: I’m really enjoying Cherry Orchard. It’s been a great return to the other side of the table, challenging and exciting. Our director, Dmitry Zhukovsky, is a recent Russian emigrė and has such wonderful insights into the heart of the play. It’s fascinating to encounter your cultural biases about these plays, to have a director who understands the archetypes of the play authentically."
- THESTAR.COM
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Mother and son actors Lucy Peacock and Harrison Thomas rarely get to act in the same city. But Harrison is in The Cherry Orchard at the Berkeley Street Theatre while Peacock is in The Winter's Tale on the Danforth.
"How are you enjoying Chekhov?
Harrison Thomas: I’m really enjoying Cherry Orchard. It’s been a great return to the other side of the table, challenging and exciting. Our director, Dmitry Zhukovsky, is a recent Russian emigrė and has such wonderful insights into the heart of the play. It’s fascinating to encounter your cultural biases about these plays, to have a director who understands the archetypes of the play authentically."
- THESTAR.COM
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Interview: Dmitry Zhukovsky and Rena Polley talk Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard
Why The Cherry Orchard? Does the play hold any special meaning for you?
"Dmitry: The Cherry Orchard is the most beautiful Chekhov's play. How could I say no, or even hesitate a second, when Rena offered me to direct it? I think The Cherry Orchard brilliantly reflects all facets of Chekhov’s absolutely stunning personality, his ability to see funny and absurd things in everyday life and his unique attitude to life and people - an attitude that while very sober, very precise and sometimes merciless, is always affectionate and including.
Rena: I think The Cherry Orchard is Chekhov’s best play. It was written as he was dying, and the existential questions about time, life, nature, politics and the human condition are all addressed with lightness, ease and simplicity. It takes a mature artist to balance all those things."
- JESS GILLIS BLOG
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Why The Cherry Orchard? Does the play hold any special meaning for you?
"Dmitry: The Cherry Orchard is the most beautiful Chekhov's play. How could I say no, or even hesitate a second, when Rena offered me to direct it? I think The Cherry Orchard brilliantly reflects all facets of Chekhov’s absolutely stunning personality, his ability to see funny and absurd things in everyday life and his unique attitude to life and people - an attitude that while very sober, very precise and sometimes merciless, is always affectionate and including.
Rena: I think The Cherry Orchard is Chekhov’s best play. It was written as he was dying, and the existential questions about time, life, nature, politics and the human condition are all addressed with lightness, ease and simplicity. It takes a mature artist to balance all those things."
- JESS GILLIS BLOG
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From Russia with love: Dmitry Zhukovsky Talks About Directing The Cherry Orchard
Dmitry Zhukovsky is opening his production of Russian playwright Anton Chekhov's most beloved play, THE CHERRY ORCHARD on the playwright's 112th birthday, January 29th.
"It's important to strike the right balance between drama and humour. I don't want it to be overly sentimental."
"Chekhov poses universal and eternal questions of what it means to be human. At the moment of the play, each character is in an existential crisis. They are all overwhelmed by their own desires, their own issues. It's not about class structure, or old 19th century ideas. We've focused on human emotions and the emotional and intellectual relationships between the characters."
- SPROCKETS AND GREASEPAINT
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Dmitry Zhukovsky is opening his production of Russian playwright Anton Chekhov's most beloved play, THE CHERRY ORCHARD on the playwright's 112th birthday, January 29th.
"It's important to strike the right balance between drama and humour. I don't want it to be overly sentimental."
"Chekhov poses universal and eternal questions of what it means to be human. At the moment of the play, each character is in an existential crisis. They are all overwhelmed by their own desires, their own issues. It's not about class structure, or old 19th century ideas. We've focused on human emotions and the emotional and intellectual relationships between the characters."
- SPROCKETS AND GREASEPAINT
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Российский режиссер Дмитрий Жуковский представляет в первой половине февраля новую постановку легендарной пьесы Антона Павловича Чехова “Вишневый Сад” - с участием канадских актеров! Почему на сцене будет представлена комедия, а не драма или трагедия? И что связывает Мэрилин Монро и Клинта Иствуда с племянником великого писателя? Узнайте прямо здесь и сейчас!
- ВЕСТНИК ТОРОНТО
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- ВЕСТНИК ТОРОНТО
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"Да ведь это же комедия!" Статья Марины Лерон о спектакле "Вишневый сад"
Марина: Так что же все таки написал Чехов - комедию или драму – в вашей интерпретации?
Дмитрий: “Вишневый Сад” - очень многослойная и открытая для интерпретации пьеса. Здесь можно увидеть и социальный конфликт и борьбу поколений, противостояние между прошлым и будущим, старым укладом и новой жизнью, мечтами и реальностью. В нашем спектакле будет свой лейтмотив, мы будем размышлять о том, что с нами проделывает время, о неуловимой границе между реальностью и иллюзией, о той таинственной области нашей жизни, которая как бы мерцает, постоянно колеблется между трагедией и комедией.
- RUSSIAN WEEK
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Марина: Так что же все таки написал Чехов - комедию или драму – в вашей интерпретации?
Дмитрий: “Вишневый Сад” - очень многослойная и открытая для интерпретации пьеса. Здесь можно увидеть и социальный конфликт и борьбу поколений, противостояние между прошлым и будущим, старым укладом и новой жизнью, мечтами и реальностью. В нашем спектакле будет свой лейтмотив, мы будем размышлять о том, что с нами проделывает время, о неуловимой границе между реальностью и иллюзией, о той таинственной области нашей жизни, которая как бы мерцает, постоянно колеблется между трагедией и комедией.
- RUSSIAN WEEK
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Торонто в лицах: Дмитрий Жуковский о "Вишневом саде"
- TORONTOVKA.COM
- TORONTOVKA.COM
Ensemble
HEATHER BELLINGHAM, Stage Manager
Previously with The Chekhov Collective: The Seagull. SM: The Wild Duck Project (Re:Current), Fat Pig (Braveheart), The Ties That Bind (Our Souls), Aperture, Transfusions, Holy Mothers (Summerworks), The Big ‘What Now?’, Yaíma Sáez (Panamania ‘15), Served, Centre of The Universe, Then He Wakes Up (Toronto Fringe), Shove It Down My Throat (Videofag), Mahmoud, The Lost Sagas of Tjorvi the Flaccid (Pandemic), Becky Shaw, The Lover (Sterling), Hamlet (Unit 102), Drink With Death (Soutus/Weatherstone), Dance Like A Man (Sawitri), MSM (World Pride ‘14), Bachelorette (Wild Pony), Three More Sleepless Nights, Suddenly Last Summer (The Playwright Project), Shrew (RedOne), Warriors (Stuck in the Mud), The Anger in Ernest and Ernestine, The Dinner (pivotalarts), Boeing-Boeing (Rogue), A Really Bad Play (froMast), The Washing Machine (Next Stage), Crush (Optic Heart) Assistant SM: Shrek The Musical (Lower Ossington Theatre), Dutchman (Summerworks), Departures and Arrivals (UTSC TAPS) Apprentice SM: Vigil (Talk Is Free), Someone Else (Crows & Canadian Stage), Between The Sheets (Nightwood) PA: Waiting for Godot, Measure for Measure, Mary Stuart (Stratford), Much Ado About Nothing (Nightwood) PM: The Ties That Bind (Our Souls) The Djinns of Eidgah (Hamilton Fringe)
Previously with The Chekhov Collective: The Seagull. SM: The Wild Duck Project (Re:Current), Fat Pig (Braveheart), The Ties That Bind (Our Souls), Aperture, Transfusions, Holy Mothers (Summerworks), The Big ‘What Now?’, Yaíma Sáez (Panamania ‘15), Served, Centre of The Universe, Then He Wakes Up (Toronto Fringe), Shove It Down My Throat (Videofag), Mahmoud, The Lost Sagas of Tjorvi the Flaccid (Pandemic), Becky Shaw, The Lover (Sterling), Hamlet (Unit 102), Drink With Death (Soutus/Weatherstone), Dance Like A Man (Sawitri), MSM (World Pride ‘14), Bachelorette (Wild Pony), Three More Sleepless Nights, Suddenly Last Summer (The Playwright Project), Shrew (RedOne), Warriors (Stuck in the Mud), The Anger in Ernest and Ernestine, The Dinner (pivotalarts), Boeing-Boeing (Rogue), A Really Bad Play (froMast), The Washing Machine (Next Stage), Crush (Optic Heart) Assistant SM: Shrek The Musical (Lower Ossington Theatre), Dutchman (Summerworks), Departures and Arrivals (UTSC TAPS) Apprentice SM: Vigil (Talk Is Free), Someone Else (Crows & Canadian Stage), Between The Sheets (Nightwood) PA: Waiting for Godot, Measure for Measure, Mary Stuart (Stratford), Much Ado About Nothing (Nightwood) PM: The Ties That Bind (Our Souls) The Djinns of Eidgah (Hamilton Fringe)
ROB BERTOLA, Sound and Music Design
Rob Bertola is an award winning Sound Designer. He has won several Genies, Geminis, Director's Guild Awards, a Golden Reel Award and an Emmy. Robert's diverse Sound Desinger credits include live theatre, dramatic film, IMAX, animation, toy sounds, and a Museum soundscape for the Canadian sculptor Tony Bloom. "I am fascinated with using conventional and unconventional sources, mixed with perspectives, to invoke, thought, feeling or vision."
Rob Bertola is an award winning Sound Designer. He has won several Genies, Geminis, Director's Guild Awards, a Golden Reel Award and an Emmy. Robert's diverse Sound Desinger credits include live theatre, dramatic film, IMAX, animation, toy sounds, and a Museum soundscape for the Canadian sculptor Tony Bloom. "I am fascinated with using conventional and unconventional sources, mixed with perspectives, to invoke, thought, feeling or vision."
NEIL FOSTER, Boris Simeonov-Pishchik
Selected Theatre credits: Jack Of Diamonds, For This Moment Alone, Seussica - Theatre Aquarius. Looking, Death Trap, The Love List - Drayton Entertainment. War Horse, The Sound Of Music - Mirvish Productions. Becky’s new car, Twelfth Night, Death and The Maiden - Globe Theatre. Stuff Happens - Studio 180. Beauty and The Beast, The Foursome - Grand Theatre Co. Amadeus, Habeas Corpus, The Beard Of Avon - Canadian Stage Co. Selected Film and TV credits: Rogue, Hemlock Grove, The Listener, Murdoch Mysteries, Dan For Mayor, Being Erica, Sir John A, The Rivals, Secrets of Eden, Politics IS Cruel, Living Death, Absolun. Dora Mavor Moore Award for The Girls In The Gang. Associate Director Factory Theatre 1993-1997. Lives in Toronto with 3 kids and 1 wife.
Selected Theatre credits: Jack Of Diamonds, For This Moment Alone, Seussica - Theatre Aquarius. Looking, Death Trap, The Love List - Drayton Entertainment. War Horse, The Sound Of Music - Mirvish Productions. Becky’s new car, Twelfth Night, Death and The Maiden - Globe Theatre. Stuff Happens - Studio 180. Beauty and The Beast, The Foursome - Grand Theatre Co. Amadeus, Habeas Corpus, The Beard Of Avon - Canadian Stage Co. Selected Film and TV credits: Rogue, Hemlock Grove, The Listener, Murdoch Mysteries, Dan For Mayor, Being Erica, Sir John A, The Rivals, Secrets of Eden, Politics IS Cruel, Living Death, Absolun. Dora Mavor Moore Award for The Girls In The Gang. Associate Director Factory Theatre 1993-1997. Lives in Toronto with 3 kids and 1 wife.
JOHN GILBERT, Firs
John Gilbert (Niels Bohr) is a Dora Award nominee. He has appeared on Broadway and acted in plays such as Chicago and King Lear. He has also worked with Denys Arcand, Atom Egoyan and others.
John Gilbert (Niels Bohr) is a Dora Award nominee. He has appeared on Broadway and acted in plays such as Chicago and King Lear. He has also worked with Denys Arcand, Atom Egoyan and others.
NINA GILMOUR, Dunyasha
Her co-creation, Death Married my Daughter, has been touring theatre festivals since 2013, including the Toronto and Hamilton Fringe Festivals, the Toronto Theatre Centre in 2014 and upcoming the new Brock University Performing Arts Centre in January 2016. She has collaborated on Theatre Smith-Gilmour’s As I Lay Dying, which played on the main stage at the National Arts Centre in April 2015 and most recently they are creating a new adaptation of Les Miserables. In 2014 she was nominated for a Dora Mavor Moore Award for her work in The Tale of a T-shirt, and was nominated again in 2015 for Take Me Back to Jefferson. She recently played the lead in Valerie Buhagiar’s upcoming feature It’s Hard To Be Human. Nina’s background in physical theatre and improvisation stems from her training with French master clown Philippe Gaulier at his prestigious school in Paris. She also trained in Theatre Performance at Humber College.
Her co-creation, Death Married my Daughter, has been touring theatre festivals since 2013, including the Toronto and Hamilton Fringe Festivals, the Toronto Theatre Centre in 2014 and upcoming the new Brock University Performing Arts Centre in January 2016. She has collaborated on Theatre Smith-Gilmour’s As I Lay Dying, which played on the main stage at the National Arts Centre in April 2015 and most recently they are creating a new adaptation of Les Miserables. In 2014 she was nominated for a Dora Mavor Moore Award for her work in The Tale of a T-shirt, and was nominated again in 2015 for Take Me Back to Jefferson. She recently played the lead in Valerie Buhagiar’s upcoming feature It’s Hard To Be Human. Nina’s background in physical theatre and improvisation stems from her training with French master clown Philippe Gaulier at his prestigious school in Paris. She also trained in Theatre Performance at Humber College.
CLAYTON GRAY, Semyon Yepikhodov
Hailing from the forests of Northern BC and steadily moving east to the prairies of Manitoba to the glass towers and cracked concrete in T.O. and hitting all of the playhouses in between. Some performing highlights include: Vivisection, a 12-hour perfomance at Nuit Blanche 2015, In Sundry Languages with the Toronto Laboratory Theatre, May 2015, The Musician... an etude also with TTL in 2014. Recent film/TV credits include a murdered goon on 12 Monkeys, The Stag-man on Hannibal Season 3 and a stoned ex-boyfriend on a short film Sidney. Clayton has also appeared performing musical numbers out of the back of pickup trucks in the woods as well as on the streets of Toronto and in various tea-shops.
Hailing from the forests of Northern BC and steadily moving east to the prairies of Manitoba to the glass towers and cracked concrete in T.O. and hitting all of the playhouses in between. Some performing highlights include: Vivisection, a 12-hour perfomance at Nuit Blanche 2015, In Sundry Languages with the Toronto Laboratory Theatre, May 2015, The Musician... an etude also with TTL in 2014. Recent film/TV credits include a murdered goon on 12 Monkeys, The Stag-man on Hannibal Season 3 and a stoned ex-boyfriend on a short film Sidney. Clayton has also appeared performing musical numbers out of the back of pickup trucks in the woods as well as on the streets of Toronto and in various tea-shops.
LLYANDRA JONES, Varya
Llyandra is an actor, director, and theatre creator based in Toronto. She is a graduate of the University of Windsor’s BFA Acting program, and has trained with various professional theatre companies and acting programs including the SITI Company based in New York, The International Michael Chekhov Association, and the summer program at the Moscow Art Theatre School. In 2014, she played Masha in The Chekhov Collective’s production of The Seagull. Llyandra writes and performs original sketch comedy with her group LaughDance, which you can see this summer in various performances around Toronto.
Llyandra is an actor, director, and theatre creator based in Toronto. She is a graduate of the University of Windsor’s BFA Acting program, and has trained with various professional theatre companies and acting programs including the SITI Company based in New York, The International Michael Chekhov Association, and the summer program at the Moscow Art Theatre School. In 2014, she played Masha in The Chekhov Collective’s production of The Seagull. Llyandra writes and performs original sketch comedy with her group LaughDance, which you can see this summer in various performances around Toronto.
THALIA KANE, Anya
Selected Credits: Bitchcraft: The Witches are Back, Bitchcraft: The Experiment, Red Winter (Pure Carbon) Sh*t Song for Some Island (AimForTheTan/Newborn), The Skriker (ROTC-NOW Top Ten Theatre Productions 2014), The Good Story (BeautifulObedient), Pericles, Boot Hill, The Shop Bell Tolls (Bishops University), Antoinette En Secret (MHS Theatre) Ubu (The Clowninators). Film: Bike + Toronto (Short), Life Of The Party (Short). Upcoming: Long For Me, Long Ago (Crave Productions).
Selected Credits: Bitchcraft: The Witches are Back, Bitchcraft: The Experiment, Red Winter (Pure Carbon) Sh*t Song for Some Island (AimForTheTan/Newborn), The Skriker (ROTC-NOW Top Ten Theatre Productions 2014), The Good Story (BeautifulObedient), Pericles, Boot Hill, The Shop Bell Tolls (Bishops University), Antoinette En Secret (MHS Theatre) Ubu (The Clowninators). Film: Bike + Toronto (Short), Life Of The Party (Short). Upcoming: Long For Me, Long Ago (Crave Productions).
DIMITRII KHILCHENKO, Set Design
Dimitrii Khilchenko is a theatre artist, specializing in set and costume design. He also works as a lighting and projection designer, as well as a prop builder and scenic painter. He has more than 20 years of professional experience at various theatres in Russia, worked at over a hundred theatre and film productions and won more than 50 awards, including National Theatre Award The Golden Harlequin as The Best Artist in 2012 (Russia) and three nominations as The Best Artist at the Theater of Nations Festival (Russia).
Dimitrii Khilchenko is a theatre artist, specializing in set and costume design. He also works as a lighting and projection designer, as well as a prop builder and scenic painter. He has more than 20 years of professional experience at various theatres in Russia, worked at over a hundred theatre and film productions and won more than 50 awards, including National Theatre Award The Golden Harlequin as The Best Artist in 2012 (Russia) and three nominations as The Best Artist at the Theater of Nations Festival (Russia).
KATERINA MARYEVYCH, Costume Design
JOSEPH PATRICK, Lighting Designer
Joseph has spent three seasons as Assistant Lighting Designer for the Shaw Festival and has also assisted at Theatre Aquarius, Soulpepper Theatre, Canadian Stage, and The Banff Centre. Joseph is currently studying Architectural Lighting Design at Ryerson University. Selected Credits: Associate Lighting Designer for Chicago (Drayton Entertainment), 7 Monologues (Luminato Festival), Lighting Designer for 39 Steps (Gin Soak’d Productions) Director’s Project 2014 (Shaw Festival), Force (George Brown Dance), Munsch-O-Mania (George Brown Theatre). Lighting Director for Triple Bill Tour (ProarteDanza), Taj (Sampradaya Dance Creations) and Ballet Jorgen Canada from 2008 – 2011. Website: www.josephpatrick.ca
Joseph has spent three seasons as Assistant Lighting Designer for the Shaw Festival and has also assisted at Theatre Aquarius, Soulpepper Theatre, Canadian Stage, and The Banff Centre. Joseph is currently studying Architectural Lighting Design at Ryerson University. Selected Credits: Associate Lighting Designer for Chicago (Drayton Entertainment), 7 Monologues (Luminato Festival), Lighting Designer for 39 Steps (Gin Soak’d Productions) Director’s Project 2014 (Shaw Festival), Force (George Brown Dance), Munsch-O-Mania (George Brown Theatre). Lighting Director for Triple Bill Tour (ProarteDanza), Taj (Sampradaya Dance Creations) and Ballet Jorgen Canada from 2008 – 2011. Website: www.josephpatrick.ca
ANDREW POGSON, Yermolay Lopakhin
Andy is very excited to be a part of The Cherry Orchard ensemble. Theatre: A Christmas Carol (Theatre Northwest), Kimberley Akimbo (Lost and Found Theatre), Almost, Maine (Harleydog Productions), I’ll be Back Before Midnight (Drayton Entertainment). Film/T.V.: Murdoch Mysteries, Reign, 11/22/63, Mayday and various T.V. commercials.
Andy is very excited to be a part of The Cherry Orchard ensemble. Theatre: A Christmas Carol (Theatre Northwest), Kimberley Akimbo (Lost and Found Theatre), Almost, Maine (Harleydog Productions), I’ll be Back Before Midnight (Drayton Entertainment). Film/T.V.: Murdoch Mysteries, Reign, 11/22/63, Mayday and various T.V. commercials.
RENA POLLEY, Lyubov Ranevskaya
Rena is an actor, writer, producer and teacher and has worked in theatre, television and film for over twenty years. She played Arkadina in the Chekhov's Collective's production of The Seagull. Next up she will be playing Olga in I Take Your Hand in Mine the letters of Anton Chekohv and Olga Knipper. Rena has been involved for ten years with the Michael Chekhov Association and is a founding member of Michael Chekhov Canada.
Rena is an actor, writer, producer and teacher and has worked in theatre, television and film for over twenty years. She played Arkadina in the Chekhov's Collective's production of The Seagull. Next up she will be playing Olga in I Take Your Hand in Mine the letters of Anton Chekohv and Olga Knipper. Rena has been involved for ten years with the Michael Chekhov Association and is a founding member of Michael Chekhov Canada.
YULIA RUBINA, Producer
Yulia Rubina is a communications specialist and theatre producer. She is a co-founder of Theatrus, theatre group based in Toronto. Having recently arrived in Toronto, she has already participated in co-production and community outreach for the show The Musician. An Étude (Toronto Laboratory Theatre, 2014) and show Vivisection (Scotiabank Nuit Blanche 2015).
Yulia Rubina is a communications specialist and theatre producer. She is a co-founder of Theatrus, theatre group based in Toronto. Having recently arrived in Toronto, she has already participated in co-production and community outreach for the show The Musician. An Étude (Toronto Laboratory Theatre, 2014) and show Vivisection (Scotiabank Nuit Blanche 2015).
Yury Ruzhyev, Yasha
Yury is an actor, performer, clown, bouffon, dancer, magician, acrobat, aerialist, director, writer, and producer in film, theatre, stage, and circus. Originally from Moscow, where he studied theatre and acting at Boris Shukin Theatre School, affiliated with Vakhtangov Theatre. Ruzhyev has over 17 years of experience as a Cabaret, Circus, and Stage performer, dancer, and director. His one-man impersonations show - Viva Cabaret has been entertaining audiences on three continents for over 10 years. In 2014 Yury’s theatre company Hooligans produced “Komunka” - a play about gay and civil rights in Russia. Summer 2015 brought a theatre project - In The Dark - exploration of personal taboos and sexual liberties. Yury is a co-creator and a performer in circus show "Yo-Luna" and he is currently working on a new solo circus project "No Elephant Circus Show" that will include clown, aerial acts, magic, and fire spinning.
Yury is an actor, performer, clown, bouffon, dancer, magician, acrobat, aerialist, director, writer, and producer in film, theatre, stage, and circus. Originally from Moscow, where he studied theatre and acting at Boris Shukin Theatre School, affiliated with Vakhtangov Theatre. Ruzhyev has over 17 years of experience as a Cabaret, Circus, and Stage performer, dancer, and director. His one-man impersonations show - Viva Cabaret has been entertaining audiences on three continents for over 10 years. In 2014 Yury’s theatre company Hooligans produced “Komunka” - a play about gay and civil rights in Russia. Summer 2015 brought a theatre project - In The Dark - exploration of personal taboos and sexual liberties. Yury is a co-creator and a performer in circus show "Yo-Luna" and he is currently working on a new solo circus project "No Elephant Circus Show" that will include clown, aerial acts, magic, and fire spinning.
JOY TANNER, Charlotta
Joy Tanner is a Gemini nominated actor and is most recognized for her work in film and television. She has her diploma from the British American Drama Academy (London/Oxford) and past teachers include Earle Gister of The Yale School of Drama, Tony Award winning director Warren Enters and H.B. Studio’s Uta Hagen. She is thrilled to be working with an incredibly talented and vibrant cast. When not working in “the business”, she is busy tending to her 10 year old son, German Shepherd and pet chicken. (Yes, you read that right). Sometimes, she even finds time to write articles about the arts.
Joy Tanner is a Gemini nominated actor and is most recognized for her work in film and television. She has her diploma from the British American Drama Academy (London/Oxford) and past teachers include Earle Gister of The Yale School of Drama, Tony Award winning director Warren Enters and H.B. Studio’s Uta Hagen. She is thrilled to be working with an incredibly talented and vibrant cast. When not working in “the business”, she is busy tending to her 10 year old son, German Shepherd and pet chicken. (Yes, you read that right). Sometimes, she even finds time to write articles about the arts.
HARRISON THOMAS, Petya Trofimov
Harrison is a Director/Actor based in Toronto. He is co-artistic director of Desiderata Theatre Co, for which he most recently directed the critically celebrated North American Premiere of Howard Barker's Lot and His God. Selected Credits: The Castle (Assistant Director, Shadow Puppeteer/ Storefront Theatre), Lot and His God (Director/Desiderata), Christmas Carol Comedy (Scrooge, No Porpoise Productions), Midsummer Nightmare (Director/ LeroyStreetTheatre), Hedda Gabler (Director/Desiderata), The Gentleman Caller (Hustler, Zadkiel Productions). Upcoming: Changeling: A Grand Guignol for Modern Times (Director/Desiderata)
Harrison is a Director/Actor based in Toronto. He is co-artistic director of Desiderata Theatre Co, for which he most recently directed the critically celebrated North American Premiere of Howard Barker's Lot and His God. Selected Credits: The Castle (Assistant Director, Shadow Puppeteer/ Storefront Theatre), Lot and His God (Director/Desiderata), Christmas Carol Comedy (Scrooge, No Porpoise Productions), Midsummer Nightmare (Director/ LeroyStreetTheatre), Hedda Gabler (Director/Desiderata), The Gentleman Caller (Hustler, Zadkiel Productions). Upcoming: Changeling: A Grand Guignol for Modern Times (Director/Desiderata)
RICHARD SHERIDAN WILLIIS, Leonid Gaev
Trained: RADA. Richard has worked extensively at theatres throughout the world. Companies include Folger Shakespeare Theatre in Washington DC, St Lawrence Shakespeare Festival, Norway’s National Theatre, Peter Hall Company/London, Denver Centre Theatre Co, Shared Experience/London and The Wilma Theatre in Philadelphia. This year he played a variety of roles in Ubisoft’s Assassins Creed Syndicate. Recent theatre includes Graham in A Chip in the Sugar -Talking Heads (Campbell House, Toronto), Malvolio in Twelfth Night, Chorus in Henry V (Folger Library Theatre, Washington DC), Mann in The Clockmaker (STC), Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady (STONC), Father in The Railway Children (Roundhouse Theatre, Toronto), Vigil (STC), Catch 22 (Lucille Lortelle, NYC), I Take Your Hand in Mine (The Chekhov Collective). He has performed his solo show Strolling Player in Washington DC, Hastings in the UK and at The Tarragon Theatre in the Toronto Fringe Festival. TV: Dr Who, Law & Order, Flashpoint, Nikita, Lost Girl, Maigret, Soldier and Me, The Feathered Serpent, The Diary of a Nobody, A Bunch of Fives and Flesh & Blood. www.richardwillis.org
Trained: RADA. Richard has worked extensively at theatres throughout the world. Companies include Folger Shakespeare Theatre in Washington DC, St Lawrence Shakespeare Festival, Norway’s National Theatre, Peter Hall Company/London, Denver Centre Theatre Co, Shared Experience/London and The Wilma Theatre in Philadelphia. This year he played a variety of roles in Ubisoft’s Assassins Creed Syndicate. Recent theatre includes Graham in A Chip in the Sugar -Talking Heads (Campbell House, Toronto), Malvolio in Twelfth Night, Chorus in Henry V (Folger Library Theatre, Washington DC), Mann in The Clockmaker (STC), Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady (STONC), Father in The Railway Children (Roundhouse Theatre, Toronto), Vigil (STC), Catch 22 (Lucille Lortelle, NYC), I Take Your Hand in Mine (The Chekhov Collective). He has performed his solo show Strolling Player in Washington DC, Hastings in the UK and at The Tarragon Theatre in the Toronto Fringe Festival. TV: Dr Who, Law & Order, Flashpoint, Nikita, Lost Girl, Maigret, Soldier and Me, The Feathered Serpent, The Diary of a Nobody, A Bunch of Fives and Flesh & Blood. www.richardwillis.org
LAURA WILSON, Assistant Producer
Laura is thrilled to be back with The Chekhov Collective again, after working as Assistant Producer on The Seagull. She also works as Associate Producer for the children’s theatre company Cow Over Moon. Her previous experience in theatre has been as a performer, and she has been lucky enough to take part in productions that ranged in genre from Shakespeare to Musical Theatre. She even got to tap dance in a shiny gold vest as the title character in The Velveteen Rabbit. Originally from Toronto, Laura spent several years in Vancouver, living out her Sci-Fi nerd dreams on TV shows such as Supernatural, Smallville and Once Upon A Time.
Laura is thrilled to be back with The Chekhov Collective again, after working as Assistant Producer on The Seagull. She also works as Associate Producer for the children’s theatre company Cow Over Moon. Her previous experience in theatre has been as a performer, and she has been lucky enough to take part in productions that ranged in genre from Shakespeare to Musical Theatre. She even got to tap dance in a shiny gold vest as the title character in The Velveteen Rabbit. Originally from Toronto, Laura spent several years in Vancouver, living out her Sci-Fi nerd dreams on TV shows such as Supernatural, Smallville and Once Upon A Time.
DMITRY ZHUKOVSKY, Director
Dmitry Zhukovsky is a theatre director, producer and acting coach. His theatre career includes about 15 years as an actor and more than 25 years of teaching acting and directing in the leading theatre, TV and film schools in the USSR, Moldova and Russia. A recent arrival to Canada, Dmitry has created Theatrus company and participated in several theatre, educational and art projects among which The Musician. An Étude (2014), Vivisection (Nuit Blanche 2015), Freedom of Expression (acting training workshop). The Cherry Orchard is Dmitry's second collaboration as a director with The Chekhov Collective after the play I Take Your Hand in Mine (2015).
Dmitry Zhukovsky is a theatre director, producer and acting coach. His theatre career includes about 15 years as an actor and more than 25 years of teaching acting and directing in the leading theatre, TV and film schools in the USSR, Moldova and Russia. A recent arrival to Canada, Dmitry has created Theatrus company and participated in several theatre, educational and art projects among which The Musician. An Étude (2014), Vivisection (Nuit Blanche 2015), Freedom of Expression (acting training workshop). The Cherry Orchard is Dmitry's second collaboration as a director with The Chekhov Collective after the play I Take Your Hand in Mine (2015).