RELEASED: November 8, 2001

DANVILLE, KY—Centre College drama students will offer four performances of Anton Chekhov's "Three Sisters". Under the direction of Patrick Kagan-Moore, the shows run from Nov. 14-17 (at 8 p.m.) in Weisiger Theatre at Centre's Norton Center for the Arts.

The cast includes: Laura Beth Adams (Màsha), Amanda Beverly (Anfísa), Stan Campbell (Chebutykin), David Clark (Fedótik), Tim Downing (Andréi Prózorov), David Flora (Kulygin), Ian Frank (Túzenbach), Sarah Gilliam-Kincaid (Olga), Rebecca Grossman (Natàsha), Will Johnston (Vershínin), Nathan Paranthaman (Ferapónt), Emil Robinson (Róhde), Emily Tate (Irína), and Loren Trover (Solyóny).

Written in 1901, "Three Sisters" is considered one of Chekhov's best works. The play follows the lives of the wealthy Prozorov sisters — Olga, Masha and Irina — and their friends as they spend their days prating about seemingly unimportant everyday happenings. Disillusioned with provincial living, the sisters yearn to leave their dreary country life behind for the bright promise of metropolitan life in Moscow.

In "Three Sisters," Chekhov reveals, "I think people should believe in something, or seek after truth, otherwise their lives are empty, just empty…To live without knowing why cranes fly, or why children are born, or why there are stars in the sky…You either know why you're alive, or else it's all nonsense, absolutely pointless…"

Kagan-Moore says that Chekhov's plays "have no soft spots, no easy answers." He maintains "performing 'Three Sisters' requires patience and great concentration. You can't act this play, you have to live it. And Chekhov is a master of subtext and detail. Every page, indeed every few lines of the play, faces the actor with new challenges."

Kagan-Moore is an associate professor of dramatic arts. He has been at Centre since 1991. A teacher and producing theatre artist for more than 30 years, Kagan-Moore has directed more than 75 productions in professional, academic, and community settings. His adaptation of Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray" is scheduled for production at Actors Guild of Lexington in May of 2002.

All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to The American Red Cross Liberty Fund. Tickets may be purchased through the box office at Centre College’s Norton Center for the Arts by calling (859) 236-4692.

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