Photo Flash: STUPID F##KING BIRD Celebrates Opening 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, now through August 30, 2015. The show officially opened on July 25 at Victory Gardens Zacek McVay Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening festivities 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," withStacy 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 now through Sunday, August 30, 2015. 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: Holly Gustavso