The Nina Variations
About the show
The Bridge Production Group presents this funny, fierce, and heartbreaking homage to Anton Chekhov's 'The Seagull.' More…
Steven Dietz puts Chekhov's star-crossed lovers in a room and doesn't let them out. In 43 variations on their famous final scene, Nina (a young actress) and Treplev (a young writer), pit their vibrant wit and soaring passions against one another in a fast-paced tour de force of romantic entanglement.
"A new way to look at Chekhov. Dietz’s text goes beyond the two characters and their content from the source material by exploring contemporary themes...The situation is funny for these characters as their saga never stops. But it stays stagnant in the dramatics...A captivating play to Chekhovian scholars. If the source material or the characters are not to your liking, 'Variations' may feel like a tedious theatrical exercise. Thankfully, this production was anything but." Full Review
"Owen is great as Treplev, making him charming and sympathetic...Stiefel, on the other hand, had a hard time keeping up emotionally with him at the beginning. Good news is she catches up...'The Nina Variations' is a character study that can be satisfying, but challenging at times to sit through...There is little happiness in its running time, and is not really entertaining. Instead, we get an analysis of the human condition...It is not a show I would watch again, but I’m glad I saw it." Full Review
See it if You want to see a play about a man in love with someone who falls in love with another. You want to see a good play with great performers.
Don't see it if You don't like simple staging in intimate spacing. You are not interested in a love story.
See it if you follow complex dialog and relationships in Chekhov style, are familiar with the subplot of Nina/Treplev in "The Seagull," can sit 75 min
Don't see it if you prefer linear plots, light comedy, extensive costumes, lighting, staging or musicals, have short attention span, or will not think hard
See it if You want to explore another take on The Seagull, a classic play by Chekov and see fresh young actors trying very hard.
Don't see it if You like plays with a strong plot.
See it if you like shows with no sets or costumes...
Don't see it if you want an interesting play...
See it if You have a good grounding in Anton Chekov's works
Don't see it if If you aren't a Russian drama scholar
See it if you're attracted to intimate theater settings or poetry as play
Don't see it if The actors and sometimes the writing were not very compelling
See it if Small, methodic (to a dizzying degree) is your thing. Familiar with The Seagull.
Don't see it if Linear, decisive theater is expected. Not familiar with The Seagull, by Chekov.
Cast & Creatives (5)
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