It’s also Skidmore Theater’s Fall 2007 mainstage production.

Director Alma Becker, a senior artist-in-residence at Skidmore College for 20 years, called Chekhov one of the premiere writers of the 20th century. Though the play was written in 1903, Becker believes the piece has remained popular because it’s relatable, contains colorful characters and focuses on issues like change vs. stasis, hope vs. pessimism and freewill vs. fate, which continue to be significant.

“This is the distinctive voice of a playwright who can still speak to us a hundred years after his play was written,” she said.

Folks can check out performances of “The Cherry Orchard” from Friday, Nov. 16 to Sunday Nov. 18 as well as Thursday, Nov. 29 to Sunday, Dec. 2. The show starts at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

All performances of the play will be held in the mainstage theater of the Janet Kinghorn Bernard Theater at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs. Becker said two of the nights are almost sold out.

Becker has a deep interest in Russian culture, and has visited Moscow four times. “The Cherry Orchard” is the first work of Chekhov’s that she has tackled. She called the experience both challenging and exciting.

“This play and I have had a date for a long time,” Becker said. “It’s powerful, funny and has a deep sense of humanity. I think that makes good theater.”

Tickets are $10 general admission and $7 for students, senior citizens and the Skidmore community. To reserve tickets, call the Skidmore Box Office at 580-5439. For more information, call Kathy Mendenhall at 580-5431.