Photo Flash: First Look at STUPID F##KING BIRD at Victory Gardens

Carlisle Hart, LLC presents Sideshow Theatre Company, Chicago's preeminent theater company for presenting familiar stories in unorthodox ways, in a commercial remount of their wildly successful, sold-out smash hit production of STUPID f-ing BIRD. Aaron Posner's comic spin on Chekhov's The Seagull is directed by artistic director Jonathan L. Green, from July 23 through August 30, 2015 with Press Opening Saturday, July 25 at 7:30pm at Victory Gardens Zacek McVay Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Critics and audiences fell f##king hard for the production when it enjoyed a smash hit run at Victory Gardens in the fall of 2014. Experience the "Stupid F##king Lobby," sponsored by CH Distillery, transformed into a Russian-style bazaar exactly like Chekhov himself would have experienced (probably). Haggle with merchants over STUPID f-ing BIRD and Sideshow Theatre merchandise, listen to live music from Chicago artists, play some of Chekhov's favorite (probably) board games, and visit the CH Distillery booth to drink vodka the traditional Russian way. CH Distillery-crafted cocktails will also be available at the Victory Gardens bar. Opens 30 minutes prior to the start of STUPID f-ing BIRD.

STUPID f-ing BIRD's original cast remains the same: featuring Sideshow company members Matt Fletcher as "Dev," Nina O'Keefe as "Nina," Nate Whelden as "Con," Katy Carolina Collins as "Mash," Cody Proctor as "Trig," with Stacy Stoltz as "Emma," and Norm Woodel as "Sorn."

On the grounds of a country estate, two generations worth of Russians mope and love and hate and make a lot of bird-based metaphors. Sound familiar? It's Anton F##king Chekhov versus the modern world in Aaron Posner's ballsy new play. A smash-hit on the east coast and a finalist for the 2014 ACTA Award, this heartbreakingly hilarious "sort-of" adaptation of The Seagull takes a baseball bat to one of theatre's most famous works and staunchly refuses to pick up the pieces. Sideshow's signature energy and wit are on full display in this hilarious examination of what drives us to make art and find love.

The production team for STUPID f-ing BIRD includes: Joe Schermoly (scenic designer), Noel Huntzinger (costume designer), William Kirkham (lighting designer), Sideshow company member Christopher M. LaPorte (sound designer/additional music), Cassy Schillo (properties designer), James Sugg (original music), Aaron Shapiro (production manager), Alison McLeod (stage manager), Frances Gecker (producer), Brian Loevner (general manager), Aurélia F. Cohen (general manager), Adam Lord (company manager).

STUPID f-ing BIRD runs from Thursday, July 23 through Sunday, August 30, 2015. Preview performances are July 23 and 24 at 7:30 pm and July 25 at 2 pm. Opening night is July 25 at 7:30 pm. The regular schedule is Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 pm; Saturdays at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm and Sundays at 3 pm. Previews are $10-$39. Regularly priced tickets range from $15-$49. Tickets are available at www.victorygardens.org or by calling the Victory Gardens box office at (773) 871-3000.

Photo Credit: Jonathan L. Green

Norm Woodel as Sorn

Norm Woodel as Sorn

Norm Woodel as Sorn, Cody Proctor as Trig and Stacy Stoltz as Emma

Norm Woodel as Sorn, Katy Carolina Collins as Mash, Matt Fletcher as Dev, Nate Whelden as Con, Stacy Stoltz as Emma, Cody Proctor as Trig and Nina O'Keefe as Nina

Cody Proctor as Trig and Katy Carolina Collins as Mash

Cody Proctor as Trig, Nina O'Keefe as Nina and Stacy Stoltz as Emma

Cody Proctor as Trig, Stacy Stoltz as Emma, Norm Woodel as Sorn, Nate Whelden as Con, Matt Fletcher as Dev and Katy Carolina Collins as Mash

Katy Carolina Collins as Mash and Nate Whelden as Con

Katy Carolina Collins

Cody Proctor as Trig, Stacy Stoltz as Emma, Matt Fletcher as Dev, Nina O'Keefe as Nina, Nate Whelden as Con, Norm Woodel as Sorn and Katy Carolina Collins as Mash

Nate Whelden as Con

Nina O'Keefe as Nina and Nate Whelden as Con

Nina O'Keefe as Nina, Nate Whelden as Con, Matt Fletcher at Dev, Cody Proctor as Trig and Stacy Stoltz as Emma

Stacy Stoltz as Emma and Cody Proctor as Trig

Stacy Stoltz as Emma and Nate Whelden as Con

Matt Fletcher as Dev, Katy Carolina Collins as Mash, Nina O'Keefe as Nina, Nate Whelden as Con, Cody Proctor as Trig, Stacy Stoltz as Emma and Norm Woodel as Sorn