Seattle Public Theater's Youth Program Stages THE CHERRY ORCHARD, Now thru 6/1

Seattle Public Theater's (SPT) Youth Program presents Anton Chekov's The Cherry Orchard directed by Shana Bestock.

The Cherry Orchard will have five performances today, May 24 at 2pm, Sunday, May 25 at 7pm, Monday, May 26 at 7pm, Saturday, May 31 at 2pm, and Sunday, June 1 at 7pm. Admission to all youth performances are free to the community. Donations are encouraged to support SPT's Theater Youth Program and to offer student tuition assistance.

Chekhov's classic is a Russian Downtown Abbey, a genuine and truthful comedy of the absurd, full of great poignancy and delicious ridiculousness, populated by characters who live at the brink of laughter and tears, in lives both great and inconsequential.

At the turn of the 20th century, world traveler Lyubov returns to her estate in rural Russia to reunite with her brother Gayev and two daughters, Anya and Varya. After a five year absence following the death of her young son, she returns a house full of servants and neighbors eager to see her start life anew. Lyubov must face not only her memories, but debts that threaten her ownership of the estate. Servant-turned-businessman Lopakhin tries in vain to bring the family into the future, as they cling resolutely to the only way of life they've known. Filled with sparkling characters, romance and whimsy, The Cherry Orchard is Chekhov's triumphant exploration of our tumultuous, absurd lives.

Directed by SPT's Artistic and Education Director, Shana Bestock, The Cherry Orchard features the acting talents of Alexandra Varriano, Aliza Cosgrove, Anna Klein, Eden Williams, Eileen MacDonald, Gabriella O`Fallon, Isabelle Moore, Jake Gordon, Karinna Gerhardt, Laura Rude, Olivia Sterne, RubyRose Gonzalez. The production is designed by Devon Cantrell (Lights), Rachel Warshaw (Costumes), with original Sound Design and Musical Compositions by Andre Couture. The Cherry Orchard is stage managed by Gabriel Klein and assistant stage managed by Gabe Airth with Katherine Draves and Finn Johnson on Run Crew.

Seattle Public Theater (SPT) at the Bathhouse is the place where performers, teachers, audiences, designers, directors and community members come together to create theater as an integral part of life in Seattle. SPT is a nonprofit professional performing arts organization.