Sarena Parmar's The Orchard (AFTER CHEKHOV) Makes Its World Premiere At The Shaw Festival

The Shaw Festival proudly presents the world premiere of Sarena Parmar's The Orchard (After Chekhov) - a moving, modern Canadian reworking of Anton Chekhov's kaleidoscopic play The Cherry Orchard. Ravi Jain directs this fresh adaptation about a Punjabi-Sikh family fighting to save their orchard from foreclosure in early 1970's Canada. The Orchard (After Chekhov) begins previews June 7 at the Jackie Maxwell Studio Theatre. ?

Based on Parmar's childhood in British Columbia, her new work centres on the Basrans, an immigrant family from India, who settle in the Okanagan Valley. Returning to her adored orchard after 5-years of self-imposed exile in India, Loveleen (Pamela Sinha) soon discovers all is not well. Unpaid debts have accumulated in her absence and, in a matter of months, the land and family home will be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Faced with a looming deadline, a panicked Loveleen makes a decision that impacts the future of both her loved ones and the beloved Basran orchard.

The ensemble cast of The Orchard (After Chekhov) also includes David Adams, Shawn Ahmed, Neil Barclay, Rong Fu, Krystal Kiran, Jani Lauzon, Andrew Lawrie, Jeff Meadows, Sarena Parmar, Sanjay Talwar and Kelly Wong.

Designer Camellia Koo, lighting designer André du Toit and composer and sound designer Debashis Sinha recreate the rural existence of a South Asian immigrant family on an Okanagan Valley orchard in 1970's Canada.

The Orchard (After Chekhov) is on stage at the Jackie Maxwell Studio Theatre (10 Queen's Parade, Niagara-on-the-Lake) from June 7 to September 1 (Media Premiere June 20). This Shaw Festival production is proudly sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and supported by the Wuchien Michael Than Foundation. The Jackie Maxwell Studio Theatre is generously sponsored by Paradigm Capital Inc.

Cast: (in alphabetical order)

David Adams
Shawn Ahmed
Neil Barclay
Rong Fu
Krystal Kiran
Jani Lauzon
Andrew Lawrie
Jeff Meadows
Sarena Parmar
Pamela Sinha
Sanjay Talwar
Kelly Wong
Kesur
Peter
Paul
Donna / Boy
Barminder
Charlie
Yash
Michael
Annie
Loveleen
Gurjit
Yebi

Creative & Production:

Ravi Jain
Camellia Koo
André du Toit
Debashis Sinha
Guillermo Verdecchia
John Stead
Andrea Schurman
Annie McWhinnie
Director
Designer
Lighting Designer
Composer / Sound Designer
Dramaturg
Fight Director
Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager

The Shaw Festival's 2018 season is on stage April 4 with a playbill that features The Magician's Nephew, Grand Hotel, Mythos: A Trilogy - Gods. Heroes. Men., The Hound of the Baskervilles, Stage Kiss, Of Marriage and Men: A Comedy Double-Bill, O'Flaherty V.C., Oh What a Lovely War, The Orchard (After Chekhov), The Baroness and the Pig, Henry V, Secret Theatre and A Christmas Carol (on stage November 14 - December 23).

Direct bus service from Toronto to Niagara-on-the-Lake on the Shaw Express began April 4. Patrons can choose to come for a day or stay for the weekend with a round trip costing $25. New this season: the Shaw Express will stay for two performances on some Saturdays - departing Toronto at 10 a.m. and leaving The Shaw at 11 p.m. Schedule is subject to change. Please confirm dates and times with the Shaw Festival Box Office. A ticket to a 2018 Shaw Festival performance is required to access this service.

To purchase tickets for the 2018 Festival season and Shaw Express, please contact the Shaw Festival Box Office at 1-800-511-SHAW and online at www.shawfest.com.

-30- About the Shaw Festival Inspired by the spirit of George Bernard Shaw, the Shaw Festival creates unforgettable theatrical encounters in any way we want. The Shaw Festival is a place where people who are curious about the world gather to share the unique experience of live theatre and real human encounters. For more information, please visit www.shawfest.com.