Saul Kim Designed Cherry Orchard Set for Armory
The Park Avenue Armory production features a unique glass house set designed by Saul Kim.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Arts Theater — General
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Saul Kim created a minimalist glass house set for the recent Korean-language adaptation of The Cherry Orchard at New York City's Park Avenue Armory. This production features a newly rewritten script by Simon Stone.
Why it matters
The set design prioritizes precise acoustics and visibility, with a concave glass facade that allows the director to differentiate voices both inside and outside the structure.
The production includes a set design drawn from a series of 164 distinct architectural objects. The structural components feature large, frameless glass panels shaped into a white triangular house with a concave facade.
The players
Saul Kim
He is the designer responsible for the modern glass house set used in this adaptation.
Simon Stone
He is a playwright and director known for his contemporary reworkings of classic theatrical texts.
Anton Chekhov
He was a Russian playwright and short story writer whose works remain staples of the global theatrical canon.
Park Avenue Armory
It is a historic New York institution that hosts avant-garde and immersive performing arts events.
The details
The set was completed by Saul Kim before the final script was finished to accommodate the specific acoustic requirements of Simon Stone's adaptation. The design uses frameless glass to ensure actors remain visible to the audience from all angles within the Wade Thompson Drill Hall.
Timeline
The original play was written by Anton Chekhov in 1904.
The New York production premiered on September 16, 2026.
The performance will conclude its run at the Wade Thompson Drill Hall on September 26, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This production follows a trend of directors reimagining classic works like the 1904 premiere of The Cherry Orchard to fit contemporary global contexts. By centering Korean-language performance in a major New York venue, the production highlights a shift toward international collaboration in modern theater.
The production is currently available to view at the Park Avenue Armory until the end of its run. Prospective attendees should note that the play is performed entirely in Korean, affecting the viewing experience for non-fluent audience members.
The takeaway
The intersection of early construction and late script finalization shows how design can dictate the pace of modern stage productions. Audiences visiting the Armory will witness how a static, modern set can fundamentally change the acoustic and visual delivery of a century-old play.
Further reading
Explore more shows currently on stage in our Arts Theater — General section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Architect’s Newspaper.
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Do you prefer stage designs that reinterpret classic plays or those that remain historically traditional?
