About the Production

The Cherry Orchard was performed inside and in the yards of MN historic mansions. In Sod House’s 90-minute comedic version, audiences move in and around the mansion in close proximity to performers. Audiences experience the play at times in the action, enjoying polka music and serving as members of the town. The Cherry Orchard is a play about a wealthy woman who loses her families estate through foreclosure.

Locations Performed:

New Ulm:  The Historic Lind House

Kenyon: Historic Gunderson Mansion

Little Falls:  Historic Musser Mansion

Taylor’s Falls:  Historic Folsom House

Worthington:  Historic Dayton House

Blue Earth:  Historic Wakefield House

Why this Subject Matter is Important:

In 2009, many Minnesotans lost their farms and homes through a rash of foreclosures. Since 2005, home foreclosures in greater Minnesota have increased 232%, resulting in a rise in abandoned housing and population decline similar to the farm crisis of the 1980s. For many rural residents, The Cherry Orchard’s themes are all too real: home loss, encroaching development, and the end of a way of life. For Sod House, this play gave Minnesotans a chance to see this story through an artistic, transformational intimate theater experience which brought greater meaning and resonance to the story of loss. 

Cast, Crew, and Musicians

Darcey Engen, Sarah Agnew, Casey Baumgartner, Dario Tangleson, Tom Ersland, Luverne Seifert, Brandon Etter, Libby Glimsdal, Luke Davidson, Elise Langer, Stephen Cartmell, Julianna Skluzacek, Kristin Sellentine, Sheri Setchell, Ray and Sue Sands, Cindy Teernick, Daryl Hrdlicka, Isaac Waas, Alice Hoffman, George Mobley, Kelsey Kleinwolterink , Kendra Kleinwolterrink, Sarah Kalkbrenner, Eric Kalkbrenner, Jessica Elhatt, Casey Walquist, Emily Dunuisky, Melanamarie Phillips, Maria Kosovich, Kevin Stuvian, Jeanene and Maynard Townswick, Mike Ellingsen, Kurt Steinke, Shelly Greimann, Brian Roverud, Don Meyer, Emily Hynes, Dick Miller, Eriq Nelson, Dario Tangleson, Helena Osswald, Anna Suprenant, Nathan Keepers, Chris Gordon, Steve Johnson, Olivia Blake, George Maha, Sleepy Eye Concertina Club.               

Production Manager

Nancy Waldoch

Stage Manager

Justine Leipert

Costumes

Collette Flom, Justin Caron, Sandra Schulte

Poster Design

Nick Golfis

Adaptation

Sarah Myers

Director

Luverne Seifert