Compelling Chekhov

By Jenny Seidelman, Campaign Manager

In our current edition of OnStage, playwright Tanya Saracho talks about her personal connection to the work of Anton Chekhov and how she came to reconceive The Cherry Orchard as El Nogalar.

Many other artists at the Goodman seem to have found this masterwork quite compelling—we’ve produced The Cherry Orchard four times in our history (during the 1956/1957, 1970/1971, 1974/1975 and 1984/1985 seasons). That doesn’t include Regina Taylor’s adaption Magnolia (2009), which set Chekhov’s tale in Atlanta, Georgia, amidst the civil rights movement of the 1960s.

Some theatergoers might remember our 1985 production of The Cherry Orchard—several of the artists involved with the show are now theatrical and film powerhouses. The production, which was adapted by David Mamet (whose work will return to the Goodman stage next January with Race), featured William H. Macy, beloved Chicago icon Mike Nussbaum and Peter Riegert (aka “Boon” from Animal House)!

Above: Pictured (l to r) in the Goodman's 1985 production of Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard, adapted by David Mamet, are Peter Riegert, Lindsay Crouse and Colin Stinton. Photo by Brigitte Lacombe.