An experienced Russian director who doesn’t speak English, a group of American theater students who don`t speak Russian and a tale of courtship and cowardice. A bizarre combination that sounds like it might make for a good TV sitcom? Instead, it’s a real-life experience, happening right here at Ohio State`s Department of Theatre.An audience will get to see the results of this strange collaboration at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday when the satire “Marriage” premieres at the Drake Union’s Bowen Theatre. Translated by Barbara Fields from the work by 19th century Russian comic writer, Nikolai Gogol, the play is directed by Anatoly Morozov, an esteemed theatre director from St. Petersburg, Russia. Morozov was invited here by Department of Theatre chairwoman Lesley Ferris, upon the recommendation of Lima campus theatre faculty, associate professor Joe Brandesky and assistant professor Maria Ignatieva.”It is a realistic story of the marriage of one person [which] did not turn out,” Morozov said of the play via his temporary translator, Anya Tashayeva. “But also it’s a lesson; every person in this place is trying to find happiness in their life, but this happiness is impossible to find because life is constructed so that happiness is not reachable. We can only find this happiness in our dreams.”This is not the first time Morozov has directed a cast who did not speak his native language. Currently artistic director of the Belgorod Drama Theatre in St. Petersburg, he has also had experience directing Spanish actors in two separate plays in Spain. He holds a degree in theatre directing from the Russian Academy of Theater Arts in Moscow, and has worked all over Russia with both professional and student stage actors.Morozov said that he is very excited and flattered about being invited to guest direct at OSU. “Being here is very interesting for me, personally,” he said regarding his experience with the cast. “We have some things in common but there are a lot of differences as well. They’re taking all my propositions and suggestions in a very brave way and they’re trying to complete my suggestions as professionally as they possibly can.””He’s very, very precise about a lot of things,” Gordon Holey, a junior theatre major who has the role of the main character in the play, said. “The best way to say this is it’s definitely his show. His interpretation is amazing. He’s a genius with text, interpreting things on his own and putting creative things into the show. If you just read the play straight up, half the things you’ll see in the show are new.””Interaction [with Morozov] at first was very difficult,” Kirsten Kidd, stage director for the play, said. “The style of directing in Russia is very different from here and also he’s used to professionals.”However, both Holey and Kidd agree that it did not take long for the cast to get used to working with Morozov. They also cited translator and unofficial assistant director, Tatjana Yassinov`s 25 years of experience in theatre, as a big help to their interaction. “[The students] really like the play,” Morozov said. “They’re laughing a lot at the Russian humor. And that`s good, because it shows we have some international connection between our countries. If the audience likes it, I’ll be the happiest man.”The show is being presented by the Department of Theatre to celebrate “Spectacular St. Petersburg: One Hundred Years of Russian Theatre Design,” an exhibit guest-curated by theatre associate professor, Joe Brandesky. The exhibit opens Nov. 19 at the Columbus Museum of Art, 480 E. Broad St.. After its premiere on Wednesday, performance dates are Nov. 4 to Nov. 6, Nov. 10 to Nov. 12 and Nov. 17 to Nov. 20, each evening at 8 p.m., Nov. 6 at 2 p.m. and Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets are $6.50 for students, $9 for faculty, staff, alumni and senior citizens, and $12 for general admission. Call 292-2295 for reservations.