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South Pasadena Theatre Workshop opened their first installment of their summer Chekhov Project with a very funny and poignant production of “The Seagull”, which will be running in repertory with “The Cherry Orchard” through August 6th, 2023. SPTW always brings high caliber talent to South Pasadena and this show is no different. A fantastic ensemble of actors, deftly directed by Sydney Walsh, bring Chekhov’s first comedy about life, love and artists to brilliant, vibrant life.
A group of friends have gathered to summer in the Russian countryside, where the young aspiring playwright, Konstantin, is presenting his new work on a stage en plein air, starring his neighbor and muse, Nina. Much to Konstantin’s consternation, no one understands it and when his mother, a well-known actress, Arkadina, seems to mock it, he abruptly ends the performance. He does have a supporter in one Dr. Dorn, who insists there is something there worth exploring.
SPTW’s black box space is beautifully spare with Clay Wilson’s charming, naturalistic set made from real, redwood planks that transport the audience to the plein air stage lit with twinkle lights that give the impression of fireflies. One literally feels like you are outdoors. The superb company of actors so embody their characters as to create a gripping exploration of creativity itself while immersing us completely in their world. Unrequited love abounds in this play that is at once expansive and intimate, and, as heartbreaking as it ultimately is, there is so much humor – with Walsh’s direction fleshing out every comedic moment.
Everyone seems to be forever suffering the melancholy of never achieving what they want, in life or in love. Konstantin aches for Nina, who is enamoured with the charming writer Trigorin, who is in turn involved in an entanglement with Arkadina. Masha, the country estate manager’s daughter, is hopelessly devoted to Konstantin while forlorn school teacher, Medvedenko, loves Masha. Her mother, Polina, is involved with Dr. Dorn – and round and round it goes and happiness remains elusive.
The cast is superb, led by a riveting Sam Cass as the brooding and tortured Konstantin. His scenes with an ethereal Cordelia Dewdney as the delicate Nina are breathtakingly beautiful and painful. There are moments when the characters seemingly address the audience directly, bringing us even more intimately into their inner life. Dewdney goes from delightful to gut-wrenchingly tragic and it is mesmerizing. As the self-absorbed actress and bewildered mother, Arkadina, Sally Smythe is larger than life while acutely conveying a mother’s anguish.
Fiona Rose Dyer is charismatic, bringing a certain devil may care attitude to Masha’s disconsolation while Nick Apostolina is an earnest and sympathetic Medvedenko. The always dynamic Kila Packett gives estate manager, Shamrayev, a certain joviality even through his frustration. Christina Conte has a quirky sensuality as Polina and Kevin Michael Moran has a comforting fatherly comportment as Dr. Dorn. Clay Wilcox brings nuance and nostalgia to the role of Sorin while Harry Wilcox has a youthful energy as Yakov.
Written over a hundred years ago, this production of “The Seagull” is captivating and resonates in a way that feels fresh and touches the heart.
The South Pasadena Theatre Workshop is located at 1507 El Centro Street, South Pasadena, CA 91030.
The Seagull runs through August 6, 2023. Performances run Fridays July 7, 14, 21, 28, and August 4 at 7pm. Sunday July 2 at 7pm. Sundays July 9, 16, 23, and August 6 at 7pm. Tickets start at $25, and information can be found on their website: www.SouthPasadenaTheatreWorkshop.com.
