Huntington artistic director Nicholas Martin directs the new version his Boston company commissioned from playwright Richard Nelson (Two Shakespearean Actors, James Joyce's The Dead). Performances begin Jan. 5, 2007, at the mainstage, Boston University Theatre for a run through Feb. 4. Opening night is Jan. 10.

Burton plays Madame Ranevskaya, a woman attempting to escape her woes in Paris at her Russian country estate only to discover trouble awaits her there. Joining her in the cast are Mark Blum (Twelve Angry Men, The Best Man), Dick Latessa (Hairspray, Cabaret), Joyce Van Patten (Jake's Women, Brighton Beach Memoirs) and Huntington faves Jeremiah Kissel (The Sisters Rosensweig, Sonia Flew) and Will LeBow (Love’s Labour's Lost, The Rivals).

The ensemble will also include Jeremy Beck, Robert Bonotto, Jessica Dickey, Gene Farber, Enver Gjokaj, Sarah Hudnut and Boston University students Jessica Rothenberg and Patrick Lynch.

The design team features Ralph Funicello (set), Robert Morgan (costumes), Drew Levy (sound) and Donald Holder (lighting). Michael Friedman also provides original music. Stephen Kaus serves as the production stage manager.

Burton was nominated for a Tony Award for her last turn on Broadway in The Constant Wife. The actress — known to television audiences for her work on "Grey's Anatomy," "Rescue Me" and in the HBO drama "Empire Falls" — was previously nominated for Hedda Gabler and The Elephant Man. Other credits include The Water's Edge, The Winter's Tale, Three Sisters and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Next up for Huntington will be Lisa Kron's Well (March 9-April 8, 2007), Noah Haidle's Persephone (March 30-May 6, 2007) and David Rabe's Streamers (May 18-June 17).

Tickets to The Cherry Orchard at the Huntington's B. U. Theatre, 264 Huntington Ave. in Boston, MA, are available by phone at (617) 266-0800 or online at www.huntingtontheatre.org.