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1407 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115

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Our theatres are located at
1407 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44115

November 6 - 16, 2024 , The Helen

CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program

The Cherry Orchard

by Anton Chekhov
translation by Paul Schmidt
directed by Eleanor Holdridge

Presented by

RPM International, Inc.

The Cherry Orchard follows a family of down-on-their-luck aristocrats as they grapple with the prospect of selling their beloved estate. As the cherry trees blossom, so do the complexities of love, loss, and the relentless passage of time. This theatrical masterpiece explores what happens when echoes of the past meet the inevitability of change. The Cherry Orchard reveals complex and colorful characters that blend humor and heartache as they encounter the absurdities that abound in simply leading one’s life. This literary classic by Anton Chekhov springs to life in a production featuring the Class of 2026.

Photos & Videos Download Hi Res Photos

The cast of the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program production of THE CHERRY ORCHARD. Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

The cast of the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program production of THE CHERRY ORCHARD. Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

Madalyn Baker and Nathan Nelson in the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program production of THE CHERRY ORCHARD. Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

Brendan Lowry and Madalyn Baker in the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program production of THE CHERRY ORCHARD. Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

Meredith Nelson and Nathan Nelson in the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program production of THE CHERRY ORCHARD. Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

Emily Kuntz in the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program production of THE CHERRY ORCHARD. Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

Brendan Lowry and Brianna Miller in the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program production of THE CHERRY ORCHARD. Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

Meredith Nelson and Calder Meis in the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program production of THE CHERRY ORCHARD. Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

Bryon Johnson and Christina McSheffrey in the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting program production of THE CHERRY ORCHARD. Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

Calder Meis in the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program production of THE CHERRY ORCHARD. Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

Byron Johnson, Madalyn Baker, and Adam Ortega in the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program production of THE CHERRY ORCHARD. Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

Christina McSheffrey and Brianna Miller in the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program production of THE CHERRY ORCHARD. Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

Artists

Madalyn Baker

Madalyn Baker

(Lyubov) Madalyn is an actor, playwright, and musician from Northern California. She earned her BA in Theatre from Fordham University, and is in her third and final year of the CWRU/CPH MFA program. Recent credits include Lyubov Ranevskaya in The Cherry Orchard (CPH/CWRU), Sally Bowles in Cabaret (CWRU), more(Lyubov) Madalyn is an actor, playwright, and musician from Northern California. She earned her BA in Theatre from Fordham University, and is in her third and final year of the CWRU/CPH MFA program. Recent credits include Lyubov Ranevskaya in The Cherry Orchard (CPH/CWRU), Sally Bowles in Cabaret (CWRU), Mechanic/Aunt in Middletown (CPH/CWRU, and Cathy in The Last Five Years (Soft Belly Theatre). In addition to being an actor, she has her own illustrative art brand called Maddle Baddle. Her new play, Lunchtime! premiered in Cleveland this past June. To learn more about Madalyn, you can check out her work at Madalynbaker.com, @madmaddybaker, and @maddlebaddle. Much love to her parents, who have given her many wonderful birthdays.

Byron Johnson

Byron Johnson

(Lopahkin) is a Louisiana native born in the city of New Orleans. As a former collegiate student-athlete, he made a bold shift to acting in 2018. His notable television credits include roles in Young Rock on NBC, Walker on CW, and a recurring guest star in SHOWTIME's American more(Lopahkin) is a Louisiana native born in the city of New Orleans. As a former collegiate student-athlete, he made a bold shift to acting in 2018. His notable television credits include roles in Young Rock on NBC, Walker on CW, and a recurring guest star in SHOWTIME's American Rust. Born to the late Byron Johnson and Trudy Johnson, with a sister named Destiny, he remains deeply connected to his roots. Most recently, Byron played the exciting role of Neville in the CWRU/CPH production of Seasons Greetings . He continues his relentless pursuit to develop his craft and his desire to become one of the most impactful people in the world. Instagram: @bjohnsonofficial

Emily Kuntz

Emily Kuntz

(Firs, Train Conductor) is currently attending Case Western Reserve University as an undergraduate theater major. This is Emily's first show at the Cleveland Play House and she is very excited to share it with the wonderful cast and crew. Other credits include Electra in Case Western’s production of Electra, more(Firs, Train Conductor) is currently attending Case Western Reserve University as an undergraduate theater major. This is Emily's first show at the Cleveland Play House and she is very excited to share it with the wonderful cast and crew. Other credits include Electra in Case Western’s production of Electra, Rose in Case Western’s production Dancing at Lughnasa, and Ophelia in Player’s Theatre Group’s production of Hamlet.

Brendan Lowry

Brendan Lowry

(Petya Trofimov) is a proud CWRU/CPH MFA Acting student in third and final year of study. You may have recently seen him in the CPH production of Fiddler on the Roof (Motel Kamzoil) or in the CWRU/CPH production of Season's Greetings (Clive Morris). Other favorite credits include Floyd Collins more(Petya Trofimov) is a proud CWRU/CPH MFA Acting student in third and final year of study. You may have recently seen him in the CPH production of Fiddler on the Roof (Motel Kamzoil) or in the CWRU/CPH production of Season's Greetings (Clive Morris). Other favorite credits include Floyd Collins (Floyd Collins), Guys and Dolls (Sky Masterson), and Godspell (John/Judas). Originally from Colorado Springs, Colorado, he received his BFA in Musical Theatre from Colorado Mesa University. Along with being a performer Brendan is an avid photographer, especially focusing on the local sights and architecture in the city. Brendan looks forward to another year exploring and living in Cleveland. Check out and follow Brendan's other works and interests: @bkylowry / bkylowry.com

Christina McSheffrey

Christina McSheffrey

(Varya) is a proud member of the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program. She was previously seen in Fiddler on the Roof in May as Bielke. Other credits include Rachel in Season’s Greetings and Varya in The Cherry Orchard (CWRU/CPH). She got her BA in Theatre at Grand Canyon University in more(Varya) is a proud member of the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program. She was previously seen in Fiddler on the Roof in May as Bielke. Other credits include Rachel in Season’s Greetings and Varya in The Cherry Orchard (CWRU/CPH). She got her BA in Theatre at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, where she also worked at Southwest Shakespeare Company, Flagstaff Shakespeare Company, The Phoenix Theatre Company, and Childsplay as an actor and teaching artist. Love to her friends and family. @chefboyartina

Calder Meis

Calder Meis

(Yepikhodov) is a member of the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting program and has appeared as Yepikhodov in The Cherry Orchard, John Dodge in Middletown, and Bernard in Season's Greetings. At CPH, you may have seen him in the companies of Fiddler on the Roof (Mordcha) and Pride & Prejudice. For more(Yepikhodov) is a member of the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting program and has appeared as Yepikhodov in The Cherry Orchard, John Dodge in Middletown, and Bernard in Season's Greetings. At CPH, you may have seen him in the companies of Fiddler on the Roof (Mordcha) and Pride & Prejudice. For Payton, always.

Brianna Miller

Brianna Miller

(Anya) is a third year in the CWRU/CPH acting program. You may have seen her in the CWRU/CPH productions of Middletown (Mary), The Cherry Orchard (Anya), or Season’s Greetings (Phyllis). Some of her favorite roles include Gwendolyn Fairfax in The Importance of Being Earnest (Santa Cruz Shakespeare), Miriam more(Anya) is a third year in the CWRU/CPH acting program. You may have seen her in the CWRU/CPH productions of Middletown (Mary), The Cherry Orchard (Anya), or Season’s Greetings (Phyllis). Some of her favorite roles include Gwendolyn Fairfax in The Importance of Being Earnest (Santa Cruz Shakespeare), Miriam in Jaja’s African Hair Braiding (Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati), and Camae in The Mountaintop (Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center). She was an ensemble member at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company before starting her MFA. While there, she performed in Trouble in Mind, The Living Dead, Twelfth Night, The Comedy of Errors, Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She would like to thank her friends and family for their support, especially Nathan Sullivan, who is often the sole reason she is off-book for shows.

Meredith Nelson

Meredith Nelson

(Dunyasha) an actor, director, and educator originally from Denver, Colorado. She received her undergraduate degree from The University of Evansville and is thrilled to be pursuing her master's with CWRU/Cleveland Play House. Some favorite roles she's played include Belinda in Season's Greetings, Dunyasha in The Cherry Orchard, the Librarian more(Dunyasha) an actor, director, and educator originally from Denver, Colorado. She received her undergraduate degree from The University of Evansville and is thrilled to be pursuing her master's with CWRU/Cleveland Play House. Some favorite roles she's played include Belinda in Season's Greetings, Dunyasha in The Cherry Orchard, the Librarian in Middletown, and Prospera in The Tempest. She is also the co-founder and co-artistic director of Soft Belly Theatre: a local Cleveland theatre company dedicated to producing accessible, courageous art with an open mind and a soft belly. You can find more information about her work at meredithgnelson.com.

Nathan Nelson

Nathan Nelson

(Yasha) is so thrilled to join the CPH MFA acting program for this production. His regional credits include Theatre as Lt. Buzz Adams in South Pacific, Nick Carraway in The Great Gatsby, and swing in Peter and The Starcatcher (all at CDA Summer Theatre), Alan in Equus (Stage more(Yasha) is so thrilled to join the CPH MFA acting program for this production. His regional credits include Theatre as Lt. Buzz Adams in South Pacific, Nick Carraway in The Great Gatsby, and swing in Peter and The Starcatcher (all at CDA Summer Theatre), Alan in Equus (Stage Left Theatre), and Jon in tick…tick…BOOM! (Gonzaga). His New York credits include The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (Bank Street Theatre at The New School), Jackie Theoharis’ Quarter Life Crisis (music direction and arrangements). Nathan serves as co-founder and co-artistic director of Soft Belly Theatre with his wife Meredith. You can find more about their work at SoftBellyTheatre.com. BA: Gonzaga University, MFA: The New School. AMDG.

Adam Ortega

Adam Ortega

(Gayev) is a third-year graduate student in the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program. Hailing from South Florida, he earned his BFA in Acting at The University of Michigan. His other theatre credits include, Gayev in The Cherry Orchard (CWRU/CPH), Harvey in Season's Greetings (CWRU/CPH), Cop in Middletown (CWRU/CPH), Don more(Gayev) is a third-year graduate student in the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program. Hailing from South Florida, he earned his BFA in Acting at The University of Michigan. His other theatre credits include, Gayev in The Cherry Orchard (CWRU/CPH), Harvey in Season's Greetings (CWRU/CPH), Cop in Middletown (CWRU/CPH), Don Armado in Love's Labour's Lost (Great River Shakespeare Festival), and Drunk Shakespeare (Off-Broadway). He would like to thank family, friends, and loved ones for all their constant support. IG: @adamaortega | adamalexisortega.com

Sponsors

RPM International, Inc.
Meet CPH Managing Director Rachel Fink

Meet CPH Managing Director Rachel Fink

MEET RACHEL FINK, CPH’S NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR! By Craig Joseph, Literary Director What are you looking forward to as you return to Cleveland...

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Our Theatres

Allen Theatre

Allen Theatre

Helen Theatre

Helen Theatre

Outcalt Theatre

Outcalt Theatre

Box Office Phone Hours:
Tuesday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

(216) 400-7096 • boxoffice@clevelandplayhouse.com

Outside of these hours:
Leave a voicemail or send an email, and we will get back to you within 1-2 business days.
Contact Playhouse Square Box Office. More info here.

The Allen, Helen and Outcalt theatres are located at Playhouse Square
1407 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, OH 44115

Administrative Offices and Education Center
1901 E. 13th Street, Suite 200 Cleveland, OH 44114 (216) 400-7000

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