Ellington

It's one of the hallmarks of humanity: being torn between hope for the future and the familiarity of the past. The Prozorof family in Anton Chekhov's "The Three Sisters" is especially human.

When their father passes away, the three sisters (Olga, Maria and Irina) and their brother Andrei want to return home to Moscow. They are discontent with their lives in the provincial town where they have lived for the last decade. But the move isn't feasible, despite their frustration with circumstances. As life crumbles for Russia's privileged class, the entire nation must find new meaning in life and a reason to expect a better tomorrow. Is the move back to Moscow, for the Prozorofs, hope for a brighter future or not letting go of the past?

"I think it's a wonderful play in that it defines what people have called a difficult play; it cannot be classified as either comedy or tragedy," said John Maxwell, the director of the upcoming play at Belhaven University, in a statement. "There is a sense of hope and also a sense of loss. It's a play you can't really define. It's about the human condition."

"The Three Sisters" invites you to connect with characters you didn't know you could.

See "The Three Sisters" Feb. 17-19 and 23-26 at 7:30 p.m., with matinees on Feb. 19 and 26 at 2 p.m. at the Belhaven University Blackbox Theatre. Tickets are $10 and $5 for children, seniors and students. A reception follows the premiere performance Feb. 17. Call 601-965-7026 for additional information.