CAST opens the current season of plays with Anton Chekhov’s “The Cherry Orchard” this Friday. Written in 1904, The Cherry Orchard is Chekhov’s last play, considered by many to be his greatest.

In this fascinating, insightful story, we encounter the members of a once-grand family of Russian landowners. Proud of their heritage but unable to pay the mortgage, the family is about to lose their estate, including their beloved cherry orchard, to developers. Though set in Russia at the beginning of the 20th century, the play strikes surprisingly contemporary notes about progress and change that will resonate for local audiences.