EUGENE–University Theatre’s Second Season will present "A Seagull Soiree," an original adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s "The Seagull," beginning Wednesday, April 28, in the Arena Theatre on the first floor of Villard Hall, 1109 Old Campus Lane on the University of Oregon campus.

The production will continue April 29—30, May 1 and May 6—8. All performances will begin at 8 p.m., with no late seating. Free parking is available nearby in the lot at East 11th Avenue and Kincaid Street.

According to Director Susann Suprenant, a doctoral degree candidate in theater arts from Springfield, the play is "more than just an adaptation of Chekhov’s ‘The Seagull’; it is a re-vision in the sense of re-seeing it."

Suprenant has approached the play in a non-realistic style, "to disrupt our expectations of how Chekhov should be performed. My intention has been to remove the ‘scaffolding’ of realistic dialogue and plot logic in ‘The Seagull’ in order to expose the main themes of art and love. What is left is a pastiche of movement, monologues, dialogues and choric response to these themes."

"A Seagull Soiree" tells the story of a young man, Konstantin, who tries to break into the art world with an avant-garde film he has made. His film features Nina, the young woman with whom he is in love.

Konstantin shows the film to his mother, Arkadina (a famous actress) and her lover, Boris Trigorin (a well-known writer). Interwoven between dance breaks, advertisements and movie bits, the action of "A Seagull Soiree" shows what happens to these characters in the aftermath of the film’s preview.

This original adaptation does not alter the original work, Suprenant says.

"Rather, it is a ‘lens’ through which the original work is viewed, as though 1898 Russia and 1968 U.S. somehow overlapped. Thus, costume, set, lights and sound give the impression of time and place juxtaposed to the actual text of ‘The Seagull.’ The sounds reflect the music of late ‘60s Los Angeles and follow Chekhov’s desire for ‘emotional rhythm’ rather than attempt ‘realistic effects.’ The movie industry and the pervasiveness of television are omnipresent throughout the piece."

Suprenant says "A Seagull Soiree" has been an exciting exploration for the cast and staff.

"As we work on this production, the cast, designers and I are finding out how much we are all the seagull in many ways," she says. "We invite others to experience our celebration of this classic play at the ‘soiree’ that is our production."

Besides Suprenant, the artistic staff includes costume designer Heather Brooks, a Master of Fine Arts degree candidate, imagist Don LaPlant, a doctoral degree student in theater arts, and sound designer Daegan Palermo, a theater arts major, all from Eugene; choreographer Kellian Allen, a theater arts major from Grants Pass; hair and makeup designer Bridie Harrington, a theater arts major from Lake Oswego; technical director David Crouse, a theater arts major from Portland; and lighting designer Shelly Swearingen, an English major from Redmond.

Other artistic staff members are properties designer Megan Smith, a theater arts and music major from Davis, Calif.; set designer Rachel Aanestad, an architecture and theater arts major from Ketchum, Idaho; graphic designer Jasmine Cole, a fine arts major from Dickinson, N.D.; and stage manager Rhaetia Hanscum, a theater arts and psychology major from Jackson, Wyo.

The cast for "A Seagull Soiree" features Portland residents Rachel Gross, a theater arts major, as Nina; Ross Maxwell, an English major, as Boris Trigorin; and Matthew Woodburn, a theater arts major, as Konstantin; and Holly Thomas, a theater arts major from Eagle River, Alaska, as Arkadina.

Chorus members are theater arts majors Ian Hanley from Portland, Kristine Brooks from Sacramento, Calif., and Jackie Jacobus from San Francisco, Calif.

Ticket prices are $6 for the general public; $5 for UO faculty and staff, senior citizens, and non-UO students; and $3 for UO students. All seats are general admission.

For tickets and more information, visit the University Theatre Box Office in the lobby of Robinson Theatre, or call (541) 346-4191. Box office hours are noon—6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon—8 p.m. on performance days.

Tickets also are on sale at the ticket office at the Erb Memorial Union, 1222 E. 13th Ave., or call 346-4363.

A taped message about current University Theatre performances is available 24-hours-a-day by calling GuardLine from a Touch-Tone phone at 485-2000, ext. 2533.

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