FROM THEATREWORKS: The extraordinary play that launched modern theater takes wing at THEATREWORKS this spring, playing April 21-May 8 in the Dusty Loo Bon Vivant Theater.The Seagull, though often performed throughout the world, remains a rare bird in Colorado, as does any of Chekhov’s drama– the last professional production of a Chekhov play in the Pikes Peak Region was The Cherry Orchard at THEATREWORKS a decade ago. According to Murray Ross, THEATREWORKS artistic director, it’s more than time. “After Shakespeare,” he says, “I count Anton Chekhov as the greatest playwright ever—and I am not alone in this opinion. Every real actor knows that every Chekhov part is pure gold, the opportunity of a lifetime.”This may explain why THEATREWORKS has been able to assemble such an extraordinary cast for this production. The play’s two young lovers, both aspiring artists, are played by Ben Bonenfant and Jamie Romero—they will been seen later this summer as another pair of star crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet, at the Colorado Shakespeare Festival. The grown-up lovers, a famous writer and well known actress, are played by acclaimed Colorado actors Matthew Mueller and Jane Fromme. Louis Shaffer is the dithering older brother, Tom Paradise the ironic Doctor, Barbara Summerville the downtrodden housekeeper, Kate Berry the hilariously depressed Masha, and Dylan Mosley her school teaching suitor.The Seagull’s characters are all gathered at a Russian lakeside estate at the turn of the last century– they all dream of making art, and many of them do. They are all hopelessly in love, mostly with the wrong person. A decadent play is produced on a summer’s night, a seagull is shot, a woman is seduced, snuff is sniffed, tobacco is smoked, fish are caught, and there are two suicide attempts, one successful. It is a play full of foolishness and extravagance, passion, silliness, and heartbreak. It’s one of the greatest and most beautiful little plays ever written.The Seagull is a famous chapter in the history of modern theater. It was the last play produced during the first season of the Moscow Art Theatre in 1898, and its opening night was a revelation, giving birth to an acting style and drama which set the benchmark for much of the theater that was to come, right up to our own time. The partnership of playwright Anton Chekhov and director Konstantin Stanislavkski, which began with this play, is the most famous and influential in modern theater history. But The Seagull is not merely a fabulous museum piece– its unique collage of love, art, regrets, hopes, and broken dreams is as contemporary as any play in the today’s repertory.The production is designed and directed by Murray Ross. Lloyd Sobel is the lightning designer; Betty Ross has designed the costumes. The music is selected and played by Mark Arnest. The set was created by Roy Ballard.The Seagull plays Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights at 7:30 from April 21-May 8. There are Saturday matinee performances at 2:00 p.m. on April 30 and May 7, and Sunday afternoon performances at 4:00 p.m. on April 24, May 1, and 8. For reservations and further information contact THEATREWORKS online at www.theatreworkscs.org or at the box office, (719) 255-3232.

Jane Fromme and Matthew Mueller in “The Seagull.” Photo by Photo credit: Tom Kimmel