The Russian Arts Theater presents Anton Chekhov's masterpiece "The Seagull," a tragicomedy that explores the love and misunderstandings between lovers, friends, mothers, sons, and servants. More…
Set in a lakeside country estate, this comedy portrays the struggles of Konstantin to achieve his artistic ambitions and win the admiration of his muse Nina. Frustrated by his spotlight-craving actress mother and envious of her distinguished lover Trigorin, Konstantin's misery is only further inflamed by the other characters at the estate. "The Seagull" takes a magnifying glass to the human psychology and the beautiful absurdities of life.
See it if You’re interested in a wonderful small production of Chekhov!! Truly enjoyable evening. Wonderful cast and direction.
Don't see it if If you cannot take a three hour play.
See it if you'd like to see a well-played take on the classic Russian tale, much more physically active than the traditionally intellectual production
Don't see it if you don't like complicated family stories, lots of movement, overacting at times & some actors who have VERY thick Russian accents
Also This charmingly "shabby chic' former chapel needs ventilation badly- c... Read more Read less
See it if you like your Chekov on the wild side with characterizations exaggerated, extremely physical as might have been performed in the time of AC.
Don't see it if you expect cohesiveness to come from similar acting ability, accents creating a sense of ensemble rather than a rag-tag group of individuals
Also I realize that my comments above are diametrically opposed to those th... Read more Read less
See it if You’re into Chekov produced as farce; Nina is top-less in her 1st scene; Dorn ripps off his lover’s panty & puts on head;
Don't see it if beauty of Chekov’s subtext is ruined by expressed aloud; you can see all the “works” done by the actors rather than being in Chekov’s world
Also In the first 10 min, the forced giggle of “Marsha” made me wanna escap... Read more Read less
See it if You want to see an aggressive adaptation of Chekhov with big performances and a great deal of music and dancing.
Don't see it if You mind inconsistent accents, background music that doesn’t always work. You mind a very long, though rewarding play.
See it if In 2001, I saw an outdoor prod. of The Seagull w/. Meryl Streep & Kevin Kline. This indoor version (w/o A/C) is intimate fun, a REAL family!
Don't see it if IF U don't like a lil diversity in casting AND technique (1 guy shouted his lines, another too soft to be heard). If no A/C is an issue.
See it if If you want a very solid, dated, but highly competent production. Well acted and directed. Actors all nailed the style of Chekhov. Humorous!
Don't see it if If you dislike the Seagull. I didn’t find much to quibble over if you like the play. It could be rough on aud. who are new. It is long.
Also Show greatly benefits from space, despite uneven set. Some modern tech... Read more Read less
See it if Aleksey Burago is my favorite Off-B’way director. Inventive does not begin to define the life he brings to his productions. He refreshes The
Don't see it if Upper Westside Church. Three hours, one intermission. Stairs, no elevator. Some heavy Russian accents.
Also Seagull by presenting it as the comic tragedy Chekhov always said he w... Read more Read less
See it if You’re curious about Russian theatre. This is unique experience. Dare I say mix ofChekhov, Brecht, Beckett &Fellini. Chekhov wld approve
Don't see it if You want straight drama. You’re very serious
See it if You enjoy a more lively and creatively energetic take on a classic play.
Don't see it if You don’t like long plays.
See it if interesting Checkoff classic interpreted, staged and performed by Russians.
Don't see it if theater is on 2nd floor with many steps and may not operate due to water saturated ceiling -my performance was discontinued at intermission
See it if you like a good enough interpretation of a Chekhov play with some fine acting
Don't see it if you like a little more inspired and interesting adaptation of Chekhov’s most endeared play.
Also I have seen more than a hundred plays but unfortunately this is only m... Read more Read less
See it if If you like Russian themed plays that have music, comedy and a large cast.
Don't see it if If you don't like Russian themed plays with a hard to follow story line.
See it if you know the play intimately and want to check out a whimsical iteration
Don't see it if you don't; you'll feel abandoned.
See it if It’s a classic It’s an all Russians cast
Don't see it if Very old school theatrical way of acting. No chemistry between the actors. One actor was difficult to understand.
See it if If you are just looking for something to do.
Don't see it if You are accustomed to Shakespearian love stories
See it if you like the classics retold as they were originally produced
Don't see it if you like modern shows with strong female characters that aren't 2-dimensional
See it if YOu love Chekhov and want to see an enthusiastic , interesting interpretation and you do not mind heavy Russian accents
Don't see it if You do not like Chekhov or you are a purist or you find Russian accents hard to understand
See it if You love Chekhov and follow Russian accents. There's some nudity which should be known in advance to those who may wish to bring a child.
Don't see it if You like to be comfortable. When we went, we had to leave at intermission because the theater was unbearably hot despite a cool evening.
See it if If you haven't seen The Seagull in a long time and really want to.
Don't see it if An indulgent staging that feels like they wanted to make it a musical but just couldn't make the leap.
Also This play had much gratuitous physical business. Several instances in ... Read more Read less
See it if You are interested in period plays from The turn of the century based in Russia.
Don't see it if Overacting bothers you.