What do you get when you combine the irresistible comedy of America's premiere playwright, Neil Simon, with the insightful and bittersweet humor of Russia's most famous playwright, Anton Chekhov?

An evening of theatre that's guaranteed to bring laughter to your face and warmth to your heart.

Vanguard Theatre and the UTM's department of visual and theatre arts present Simon's The Good Doctor Nov. 7-10 in the Harriet Fulton Theatre, located in the Fine Arts Building.

Adapted from and suggested by stories by Chekhov, The Good Doctor is a series of vignettes that deal with subjects of everyday life that bring entertainment and enlightenment.

Ken Zimmerman, assistant professor of visual and theatre arts at UTM, directs.

In one sketch titled The Defenseless Creature, a woman wreaks havoc as she storms the bank to regain her husband's 24 rubles and 36 kopecks.

In another, The Arrangement, a father takes his son to a house where he will be initiated into the mysteries of manhood. A church sexton visits the dentist in Surgery only to have to deal with a “dentist-to-be.”

And don’t forget the classic tale of a man who offers to drown himself for three rubles. These whimsical stories and many more are told with infectious humor and fun.

The all-student cast of 22 is headed up by senior Kevin Shell, of Martin, who plays the Narrator and Chekhov’s alter ego.

Other cast members include: sophomore Christian Ashlar, of Martin; freshman Judy Chappell, of Martin; junior Jen Christensen, of Huntingdon; freshman Lyndsey Coleman, of Huntingdon; sophomore Jeremy Coltharp, of Pilot Oak, Ky.; sophomore Stephanie Cutlip, of Milan; sophomore Orlando Brown, of Ann Arbor, Mich.; freshman Eric Danz, of Martin; freshman Stephanie Dowell, of Franklin; sophomore Courtni Harbin, of Memphis; sophomore Michael James, of Union City; junior Ryan Leyhue, of Mayfield, Ky.; senior Adam Lucas, of Franklin; freshman Callie Milam, of Memphis; freshman Iris Moore, of Memphis; junior Maggie Olmstead, of Lawrenceburg; sophomore Matthew Muehlberger, of Leesburg; senior Karen Saldana, of Nashville; freshman John Scott, of Tiptonville; freshman Tori Shaw, of Dyer; senior India Simerson, of Bartlett; and sophomore Trina Tapping, of Troy.

Doug Cook, professor and chair of visual and theatre arts at UTM, heads the design team. Melanie Hollis, UTM theatre assistant, is costume designer and Tim Barrington is technical director. Sophomore Jennifer Baumgardner from McKenzie, and freshman Jana Dennis from Brighton, are stage managers.

Performances are set for 8 p.m. Nov. 7-9 and 3 p.m. Nov. 10.

Tickets go on sale Nov. 4. Box office hours are from noon to 5 p.m. daily as well as two hours before curtain on days of performance. Prices for tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Make your reservations by calling (731) 587-7090.