Amidst the pre-revolutionary fervor of turn-of-the-century Russia, a woman faces the loss of property her family has owned for generations and the changes that will inevitably result. Sounds like a comedy, doesn't it?

Only if you're Anton Chekhov.

"It's just plain funny," junior Melissa Jones, who plays Liubov, said. "There are a lot of funny moments."

The driving force behind the story is change, visible not only in the changing dynamics within the family, but also in Russia as a whole. "It's a play about transition. As humans we live in transition," Jones said.

Professor John E.R. Friedenberg, the play's director and director of theatre, feels that this play provides a good balance to the season of MainStage Productions. "It's certainly a contrast to Bette and Boo and to the Tennessee Williams production that will be in the spring."

Friedenberg chose this play partially out of an affinity for classical works. "Chekhov is one of the major realistic playwrights of the twentieth century," he said.

Junior Cambra Overend, the play's sound designer, agrees. "It's a great work of literature. There are a lot of things that aren't obvious in a cursory reading of the play that will become more obvious in the performance," she said.

The Cherry Orchard begins when Mme. Liubov Ranyevskaya, the owner of the estate and cherry orchard, returns to Russia after having spent five years in Paris to find that the property is being foreclosed and auctioned off. The play then follows the family as they deal with the changes this event brings to their lives.

"It deals with a lot of class issues," said senior Andy Rigsby, who plays Trofimov.

Friedenberg comments that because Chekhov was a doctor, the play has a very humanistic view to it. "It's a celebration of our failings, or successes, are failures," he said.

Despite the play's very specific setting, a modern audience should be able to relate to the problems the characters face. "There's a lot about relationships and about what's really important in life," Overend said.

Jones said, "It's still very relevant to our lives today. A lot of the same issues we deal with, the challenges, emotional and practical, they're still relevant."

This is not to say that there haven't been difficulties trying to present this production. Chekhov's `work is notoriously difficult to navigate. "He's brilliant, but tough," Overend said. "There are a lot of layers to the play."

Friedenberg was fully conscious of these possible problems when he chose to direct The Cherry Orchard.

"I think it's always a stretch to ask college students to play people in their middle age. The language is also a challenge," he said. "The way he writes, every word counts, and getting the lines right is important."

However, everyone involved seems to agree that rehearsals are going very well. Rigsby is particularly enthusiastic. "The play is going fantastically," he said.

Freshman Marla DuMont, who plays a servant, agreed. "The cast has really great chemistry," she said. "Everyone's done a great job of fleshing out their characters."

Performances of The Cherry Orchard will be in the MainStage Theatre from Nov. 6-10. The play will start at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 6-9 and 2 p.m. Nov. 10. Tickets are for students and for adults. Tickets are available now from the Box Office and will also be available at the door. Call the Theatre Box Office for information or reservations at Ext. 5295.