Chekhovs dramedy about the demise of a well-to-do familys estate due to debts and denial feels well-housed in Theater 912s intimate side venue at ACT. The cast of ex-serfs, servants, and aristocrats teems with good actors, many of whom are equity pros. David Anthony Lewiss rapacious developer Lopakhin leaves no metaphorical knife unturned in his quest for class revenge. Rachel Pate plays chatelaine Liubov Andreyevna on the verge of madness, uttering hurtful observations through a smile as imbecilic as it is genteel. Denial is a river that runs as deep in Russia as in Egypt, but director Terry Edward Moore keeps the tone light. Over a hundred years after the plays debut, the surrender of class entitlements remains as relevant as foreclosure to creditors, and the house servants squeaky shoe continues to amuse. MARGARET FRIEDMAN
Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Starts: Feb. 19. Continues through March 14, 2010
