CMU’s School of Drama Presents ‘Three Sisters’ by Anton Chekhov

By Erin Keane Scott / 412-268-2068

Spring has arrived in Pittsburgh, which means the School of Drama’s 2014-2015 season is coming to a close at Carnegie Mellon University.

The final production of the year in the Philip Chosky Theater will be Anton Chekhov’s classic “Three Sisters,” translated by Paul Schmidt and directed by esteemed guest Pamela Berlin. The play opens April 9 and runs through April 25.

“We are delighted to have Pamela Berlin join us at the School of Drama to guide our ensemble through this seminal piece of theater,” said Peter Cooke, head of the School of Drama.

Berlin is a New York-based director and longtime member of the Ensemble Studio Theatre. Her credits include the Off-Broadway production of “Steel Magnolias” and the Broadway production of “The Cemetery Club,” among many other Broadway, Off-Broadway, regional and educational productions.

“I have always loved ‘Three Sisters’ and for years have wanted to work on it, so when Peter Cooke contacted me about directing it at CMU, I was delighted,” Berlin said. “Anton Chekhov has created such wonderful characters and relationships in all of their complexity: their passions, dreams, hopes, disappointments, contradictions and idiosyncrasies. He paints portraits of people who, like us, must accept the inexorable march of time in their lives and learn to survive in the face of a less than perfect world.”

“Three Sisters” is a masterpiece of the theatrical canon. It is counted among Chekhov’s great works. He writes of a family living in provincial Russia at the turn of the 20th century; four siblings dream of their former life in the big city of Moscow. Throughout the piece there are small victories, measurable losses and expressions of love that make up a life regardless of location.

To purchase tickets, call the box office at 412-268-2407 between noon and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or visit http://www.drama.cmu.edu/50/box-office. Performances will take place in the Philip Chosky Theater at CMU’s Purnell Center for the Arts. For general information about the School of Drama, visit www.drama.cmu.edu.

Note: On Tuesday, April 21, dramaturg Austin Owen will host a talkback with the audience, cast and crew after the performance. The discussion will focus on the play’s background and comment on the research and development of the storyline. The dramaturgs also are available to discuss the plays with classes, student groups and public organizations. Contact Wendy Arons, dramaturgy option coordinator, at warons@andrew.cmu.edu to schedule a session with a dramaturg.

###