Anton Chekhov's The Seagull
Great Lakes Theater Festival
April 10, 2009
Reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz
Anton Chekhov always insisted that his play The Seagull was a comedy featuring 'tons of love'. Obviously, that notion depends greatly on one's perspective, in addition to the director's vision and the actors who bring it to life. There are humorous moments to be found in the play, and occasionally, elements of love, but overall, it's anything but a romantic comedy. Currently on stage at the 'new' Hanna Theatre, Great Lakes Theater Festival presents the first Chekhov play since the arrival of Charles Fee as its artistic director. It is also a world premiere adaptation of the play by director Drew Barr.
Andrew May as Trigórin and Laura Perrotta as Arkádina
The sets by Russell Metheny are minimal yet versatile, easily switching from the vast open spaces of Russia to the more intimate interiors of the country house, occupied by an uncle and nephew, plus neighbors and servants. The arrival of the younger man's mother and her companion drive the action throughout, precipitating a wide variety of reactions.
Lighting design by Peter West is coordinated perfectly to enhance and offset both the sets and the sometimes ghostly music and sound by Fitz Patton. The costumes by Kim Krumm Sorenson are wonderfully authentic in appearance, and suitable to the characters. The major theme of The Seagull is unrequited love. Nearly everyone in the cast is in love-with someone who does not love them back. The aging uncle Sorin (Dudley Swetland) has labored for 28 years as a government official, and while he does not appear to have a lady-love, he has long-and desperately-wished for something other. 
Dudley Swetland as Sórin and Kevin Crouch as Tréplev
He grumbles about the barking dogs of his neighbors in the same way he bemoans not ever having done anything different with his life.
He cares deeply for his nephew Konstantin (Kevin Crouch) who not only longs to be a famous writer, but to capture the love of his mother, the famous actress Irina Arkádina. Laura Perotta plays her as a very confident, self-assured woman. At times, she was almost steely in her intensity, never expressing the least insecurity or vulnerability. Of course, Kostya had enough for both of them! 
A mother (Laura Perrotta as Arkádina) embraces her son (Kevin Crouch as Tréplev) in The Seagull at the Hanna Theatre
Irina's traveling companion and lover is the celebrated writer Boris Tregórin (Andrew May). His monologue on the writer's life was painfully heartfelt, even if, at other times, he seemed a bit remote. 
Arkádina and Trigórin
Of course, it is difficult to resist the attractions of a beautiful, younger woman who literally throws herself at one's head, as does the Nina of Gisela Chipe, who imagines herself in love with Tregórin, while she harbors dreams of becoming a famous actress.
Gisela Chípe as Nina
She discovers that even while attaining both dreams, although on a temporary basis, they are not enough to provide the happiness she sought. But neither can she go back to Kostya, in spite of his pleas for her return. 
Tréplev and Nina in Great Lakes Theater Festival's production of Chekhov's The Seagull
All of the roles were well acted: the doctor by Aled Davies, who protests that he's 55!, the farm manager of David Anthony Smith (who in truth acted more like the owner of said farm), his wife Paulína (Lynn Allison), and his hard-drinking daughter Másha (Sara M. Bruner) who marries the schoolteacher (Ian Gold).
Laura Perrotta as Arkádina
Perhaps the production hadn't really settled in yet when I saw it (April 10) but I found it to be rather cold-natured. And of course, defying the rules of comedy, there is no happy ending. The Seagull continues in repertory with A Comedy of Errors through May 3. For tickets or other information, call 216-241-6000 or visit www.greatlakestheater.org Photos by Roger Mastroianni
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