The Cherry Orchard (Mann) Book

THE STORY: The play takes place on the grounds of Lyubov Andreyevna Ranevskaya's estate, somewhere in the provinces of Russia. Lopakhin, a sometime peasant who has become a wealthy businessman, and Dunyasha, the maid, are waiting for Lyubov. She has been away from home a long time, living in Paris with her lover. When she arrives with her daughter, Anya, she is welcomed by her brother, Gayev, and other family, friends, staff and neighbors. Lyubov and Gayev recall happy times from their childhoods on the estate. But unless the family can raise enough money to save it, the estate will have to be sold to clear Lyubov's debts. They concoct several plans, one of which entails cutting down their famous cherry orchard. But no one plan is settled upon. As August approaches, when the estate must be auctioned off to meet the mortgage payments, what unfolds in this household is a comedy-drama of timeless, bittersweet beauty. THE CHERRY ORCHARD is universally acknowledged as one of the masterpieces of world theatre. For a long time after you have seen it, you are likely to believe this must be the most wonderful play in the world. - NY Times. ‚¬¦direct and accessible‚¬¦[Mann] has illuminated her scenes with broad, bittersweet and warmly wry comic moments‚¬¦ - Variety.