CHICAGO -- Once a year Court Theatre on Chicago's South Side offers a rotating repertory, where the whole is hopefully greater than its parts. (Last year the plays were Tartuffe and The Philadelphia Story.)

In this year's double bill, which began Feb. 27, the partners are equally unlikely: The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov, and Oscar Wilde's An Ideal Husband, a comedy of false expectations and Victorian pretensions. A bittersweet group portrait and a teasing scandal make strange bedfellows, but artistic director Charles Newell counts on the contrast to set off each play's special strengths.

Stars in both are Christopher Donahue, Anne Dudek, Kate Fry, Cheryl Graeff, Bradley Mott, John Reeger, Hollis Resnik, Barbara Robertson, Kathy Santen, Craig Spidle and Larry Yando. Designing both shows are John Culbert (lighting), Todd Rosenthal (set) and David Reiffel (sound). Mara Blumenfeld designed the costumes for Orchard; Linda Roethke designed the garb for Husband.

Both shows were scheduled to end May 3, but both have extended their runs through May 10, according to Court Theatre spokesperson Jodi Ann Howard. For tickets and information on the shows call (773) 753-4472.

-- By Lawrence Bommer
Chicago Correspondent
and David Lefkowitz