This October 13 to 16, the Middlebury Community Players presented an original adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s first theatrical masterpiece The Seagull.  This adaptation by New York playwright Leah Ryan as well as the original play revolves around the life of a famous actress, Arkadina, and those nearest and dearest to her, including her brother, her son and his girlfriend and her lover, a famous writer in his own right.  The action takes place on a Russian country estate, by a lake and the seagull metaphor resonates throughout.

There has been much debate over whether Chekhov was writing tragedy or comedy. In this remarkable play, completed in 1896, humor coincides with sadness, light with dark, laughter with tears. The humor in the play springs naturally from human self-delusion and folly. It is especially sweet because it is unforced, all too recognizable and presented with compassion and love. 

Chekhov wanted to break free from the trite, artificial melodramatic plays of his time and, with The Seagull, he introduced a more life-like kind of play, driven by character rather than plot and dealing with the subtle realities of human existence.    Chekhov’s characters live, breathe, and are neither all good nor all bad, but simply, real. 

Ms. Ryan has stream-lined the play, paring it down to its essentials, updating the language and eliminating some characters, but telling the story with charm, wit and a refreshing sense of humor.

Director Melissa Lourie, Artistic Director of Middlebury Actor’s Workshop and acting instructor at U.V.M., chose this shortened version of the play because of its accessibility and vitality.  “I think this adaptation will be particularly appealing because it introduces our audience to a brilliant playwright who is sometimes avoided as heavy or long-winded.  Our adaptation runs just over an hour, and yet manages to capture the poignancy, complexity and humor of the original.  Chekhov purists may raise an eyebrow, but I hope we will win new converts to his art.” 

This production features local actors James Maroney, Mike Kiernan, John Nordmeyer, Ann Deppman, Jory Raphael, Emma Wollum and Ken Tichacek.  Dora Greven is the stage manager and Franco Ciccone the producer.