by Cari Lynn Pace

Marin Theatre’s Boyer stage holds a magnificent set by Nina Ball populated with characters from somewhere in Russia.

They lounge around while gossiping about their expected guests. When the house guests arrive, their long-absent relationships are sorted out.

The arriving drama queen is Liubov, in a flighty and capricious role done to perfection by Liz Sklar. She and her retinue of family, friends and servants have returned from Paris in splendor. We soon learn that the estate’s overdue mortgage is part of the reason for their return. 

If you know Anton Chekhov’s life story, that of a poor teen abandoned by his family, it helps understand the irresponsible attitudes he paints for the characters. They are the aristocrats of Russia who simply refuse to recognize that their opulent lifestyle is slipping away.

They sip and laugh and deny any impending troubles. They wax nostalgically about the property’s acres of lovely cherry orchard, viewed through high windows. Friends plead ridiculous loans from each other with promises to repay. Liubov carelessly gives her last gold coin to a beggar boy, while her daughter points out they don’t have enough food to eat. Their elderly servant, an amusing role by Howard Swain, collapses to no one’s notice. Trofimov, a former family tutor played by Joseph O’Malley, earnestly pleads for them to recognize the changing times. He shows respect but they dismiss him. These superior characters may talk to each other, but no one listens.

The exception is their acquaintance Lopakhin, masterfully enacted by Lance Gardner. Gardner is also Marin Theatre’s Artistic Director. Lopakhin proposes a financial rescue plan: to develop the estate and build homes if they tear down the cherry orchard. He is the one character with a logical approach, albeit abhorrent to the family. His idea is dismissed as infeasible and bourgeoisie, and the lavish party continues without him.

Carey Perloff directed Chekov’s assemblage of characters who each show humor and a distinctive personality. They’re happily oblivious and headed for disaster. The stupendous set, the costumes, and the over-the-top cadre of acting make The Cherry Orchard a delicious pick.   

Playing now through February 22 at Marin Theatre, 397 Miller Ave., Mill Valley.

Click HERE for more information and tickets.

Photos by David Allen

Cari Lynn Pace is a long-time Bay Area theatre critic whose reviews were regularly featured in the Marinscope Community Newspapers.