Marin Theatre Company Closes THE SEAGULL, 2/20

Marin Theatre Company presents the world premiere of a new version of Anton Chekhov's Seagull by Libby Appel, former Artistic Director of Oregon Shakespeare Festival, January 27 through February 20. Adapted from a literal translation by Allison Horsley, Appel includes never-before-seen text from Chekhov that has only recently become available. MTC Artistic Director Jasson Minadakis directs a sleek, sexy production of this classic. Opening night is on February 1.

Commissioned by Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF), Appel's new version includes material originally cut from Chekhov's text by either the Russian censor or the play's original director, Konstantin Stanislavski, that has never before appeared in any version of the play. The two restored sections in this new version, rich in character detail, give audiences a fresh understanding of some of the major characters, their histories, and the choices they make within the play.

Universally recognized as Chekhov's first major play, Seagull is one of theater's most elegant and enduring stories. The play centers around a famous actress, Irina Arkadina; her son Konstantin, an aspiring writer; her lover, the well known novelist Boris Trigorin; and the young country girl, Nina Zarechnaya, who inspires love and lust in both men and who longs to be an actress herself. As they all come together one summer at Arkadina's ancestral country home, unrequited love, burning desire, and an overwhelming ache to create overtakes them all. Seagull is a classic story about the art of the pen, the stage, and the heart.

"It is an honor to work with Libby on her fabulous new version of Chekhov's first masterpiece," says MTC Artistic Director Jasson Minadakis. "I have been searching for a Seagull that preserves the lyrical beauty we expect from Chekhov's language but also celebrates the joy and muscularity of the Russian people, their lives, their loves. I found the perfect balance in Libby's passionate rendering of this amazing play."

Playwright Libby Appel was Artistic Director of OSF from 1995-2007 where she has directed 27 productions, including the 2010 production of Pride and Prejudice. OSF has commissioned her to write new adaptations (from Allison Horsley's literal translations from Russian to English) of Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard, Seagull, Uncle Vanya, and Three Sisters. She has directed at companies across the country, including Intiman Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Guthrie Theatre, Seattle Repertory Theatre, and San Jose Repertory Theatre.

Translator Allison Horsley is currently under commission from OSF to create new literal translations of Chekhov's major plays for adaptation by Libby Appel. She has served as dramaturg and/or literary manager for OSF and many other prominent theater companies including Denver Center Theatre Company, La Jolla Playhouse, and Yale Repertory Theatre.

Director Jasson Minadakis is in his fifth season as MTC Artistic Director. In addition to Seagull this season, he will direct the West Coast premiere of Happy Now? and Edward Albee's Tiny Alice. 
The Seagull cast includes OSF company members Christine Albright as Nina and JOHN TUFTS as Konstantin, both seen in recent OSF productions of Equivocation and Romeo and Juliet. OSF alum Richard Farrell appears as Sorin. Tess Malis Kincaid, who has previously worked with Minadakis on five productions at Georgia Shakespeare and Actors Express in Atlanta, stars as Arkadina. 

MTC veterans in the cast include Julia Brothers as Polina, Craig Marker as Trigorin, Howard Swain as Dorn, and Michael Ray Wisely as Shamrayev. New to MTC are Peter Ruocco as Medvedenko and Liz Sklar as Masha. Rounding out the cast are Carly Cioffi, Harold Pierce, and Erik Rhea.