Chekhov classic “The Seagull” opens Friday April 16
Comedy joins tragedy in a potent mix as Key City Public Theatre
presents its second mainstage show of the 2010 season, Anton
Chekhov’s classic “The Seagull,” directed by Lawrason Driscoll.
The production opens Friday, April 16 at Key City Playhouse and
runs through May 8.
“The Seagull” presents a series of romantic triangles and
artistic conflicts among a dozen Russians languishing on a
country estate. Within their crosscurrents of thought, awkward
silences, thwarted longings, and misfired intentions, Chekhov
sketches out the human condition as both laughable and
lamentable.
Director Driscoll comments, “Chekhov mischievously places his
rich characters in a pleasantly uncomfortable setting so that he
could illuminate the heartbreaking ridiculousness of everyday
human behavior.”
Chekhov himself wrote, “I’m flagrantly disregarding the basic
tenets of the stage. This comedy has four females, six males, a
still landscape, much talk about literature, little action, and
five tons of love.”
While very much an ensemble piece, “The Seagull” focuses
primarily on an ambitious ingenue (Angela Gilbert), a
self-satisfied actress (Michelle Hensel), her son, a restless
playwright (Guy Sands), and her lover, a successful middlebrow
author (Mark Cherniack).
Also featured are Terrence Campbell, Judith Glass Collins, Ian
Keith, Freeman Luoma, Amanda Steurer, Kellyn Traenkenschuh,
Jesse Wiegel, DD Wigley, and Eligius Wolodkewitsch.
Commenting on Chekhov’s life before he became a playwright,
Driscoll adds, “He worked tirelessly as a country doctor for
twenty years, often with no expectation of payment. He
undoubtedly witnessed much suffering, ignorance, and sadness. I
am amazed how his plays transmute these experiences into beauty
and redemption.”
Mood-setting vocal music has been recorded by Laurence Cole and
friends, and an atmospheric lakeside soundscape has been created
for the show by Doug Daniels.
Set designer Brock Walker presents an artful evocation of 1850’s
Russia with period costumes by Ginger McNew. Scenic artist is
Abby Greene with lighting design by Albert Mendez.
Key
City Playhouse is located at 419 Washington St. in Port
Townsend. Curtain times are Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.; Fridays and
Saturdays at 8:00 p.m.; with Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m.
Informal “AfterWords” discussions with members of the cast and
artistic staff will follow all Thursday and Sunday performances.
General admission for Fridays and Saturdays is $18; Thursdays
and Sundays $15. Students $10 at all shows. The two
pay-what-you-wish performances, sponsored by the PT Arts
Commission, are Sun. Apr. 18 and Thu. Apr. 22. The production is
generously sponsored by Denise Fleener.
Advance tickets for KCPT productions are available in three
ways. With cash or check, visit Quimper Sound at 230 Taylor St.,
Port Townsend. With a debit or credit card, call 360-379-0195.
Online, purchase tickets on the show calendar at
keycitypublictheatre.org.
For more information, call the KCPT show info line at
360-385-7396. Or visit our Seagull
show page.
Photographs by Phil Baumgaertner and Lew Stock
New! -- You can now
purchase tickets here online using our KCPT calendar.
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