Oddfellows Playhouse Teen Repertory Company presents Anton Chekhov's classic tragicomedy The Seagull in a contemporary translation by Anya Reiss. This innovative translation of Chekhov’s work will be performed November 14-23 at Oddfellows Playhouse, 128 Washington Street in Middletown.
The Seagull explores the conflicts of
the New Generation vs. the Establishment, innocent love contrasted with
unrequited love, and young people struggling with depression and insecurity. Reiss’s
modern adaptation brings this tragicomic masterpiece to life for contemporary
audiences, reflecting on what it means to be human and entrapped in a
society that is infatuated with celebrity over authenticity.
Directed by Jeanie Kanaley, the play is performed by ten actors
between the ages of 14 and 20, with set design by Daniel Nischan, lighting
design by Jon-Paul LaRocco, costume design by Nicki Laporte, properties design
by Pam Lang, and sound design by Mick Bolduc.
“The Seagull is a classic,
reflecting back to us what it is to be human,” says Director Kanaley on the
continued significance of the play. “At this point of time in our society, what
I find most compelling is the play’s theme of fame and celebrity versus
authenticity and art. I think this conflict of ideas, along with the New
Generation versus the Establishment, is worth exploring with the Oddfellows’
Teen Repertory Company.”
The production contains mature subject matter, including
suicide-related content and gunshots, and is recommended for teenagers and adults.
Performances are November 14 – 16 and 22-23 at 7:30 pm. Tickets
are $15 for adults and $8 for kids. Thursday, November 14 is a
“Pay-What-You-Can” Preview.
Young people ages 14 - 20 have many other opportunities to get involved at the Playhouse in the coming weeks. "Writing Plays" , a six week workshop in playwriting, taught by nationally-known playwright Kristen Palmer, will culminate in a "New Plays Festival" in February. A Shakespeare
training program will also be offered for teens this winter (taught by Artistic Director Dic Wheeler and ARTFARM Artistic Director Marcella Trowbridge) in preparation for a May production
of Romeo and Juliet. Circophony Teen Circus (ages 14 - 20) holds auditions for its winter mainstage production on December 10, and young people ages 12 - 19 can join the Hip Hop Dance class, as well as the "Technical Theater and design class. The Playhouse seeks to offer opportunities and raise the artistic bar for teens in all areas of the performing arts.
This Oddfellows Playhouse Teen Repertory Company production
is supported by the Connecticut Office of the Arts; Middletown Commission on
the Arts; The Fund for Greater Hartford; Middletown Youth Services Bureau; The
Stare Fund; State of CT Judicial Branch; Maximilian E. & Marion O. Hoffman
Foundation; Thomas J. Atkins Memorial Trust Fund; Community Development Block
Grant Program; Nihla and Bob Lapidus Foundation; and many generous individual
donors.
Oddfellows Playhouse is a non-profit youth theater, founded
in 1975, which promotes the growth of young people – in skills, knowledge and
self-confidence – through the performing arts. The Playhouse is Connecticut’s
oldest and largest theater program for young people, and maintains an ongoing
commitment to making high-quality arts experiences available to all young
people.
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