Mercyhurst Theatre Program stages Anton Chekhov’s ‘The Seagull’

The Seagull information

The Mercyhurst Theatre Program continues its 2023-24 season with a haunting new production of Anton Chekhov’s masterpiece, “The Seagull.”

The play is set on Sorin’s country estate, where family and friends are spending the languid summer months. Included are Sorin’s sister, the famous actress Madame Arkadina; her sensitive would-be-writer son, Treplyev; and the charming, successful author Trigorin. The action concerns the interweaving of their lives, and all the romance, intrigue, hopes, and disappointments that this life leads to.

“‘The Seagull’ is one of the most important works in Western dramatic literature and one that holds deep significance for the Mercyhurst Theatre Program,” says director Dr. Brett D. Johnson. “Our students are trained in the Stanislavsky System of acting, and our program is modeled after the Moscow Art Theatre, which produced ‘The Seagull’ in December 1898 to much acclaim, thereby forging a relationship with playwright Anton Chekhov and becoming known thereafter as the House of Chekhov. In fact, a seagull was emblazoned on the curtain of the theatre and remains its symbol to this very day.”

Johnson also notes that the play holds personal significance: “I played Trigorin in a production at Susquehanna University, which was helmed by my undergraduate mentor—and frequent Mercyhurst guest director—Dr. Doug Powers. Two decades later, I’m honored to collaborate with our Mercyhurst theatre students, all of whom are doing thoughtful, sensitive work, on our own production.”

The cast of “The Seagull” includes Tori St. John-Gilbert (Arkadina), Braden Rosciszewski (Treplyev), Ben Vacca (Sorin), Abby Craig (Nina), Eric Page (Shamrayev), Nicole French (Paulina), Ali Forsythe (Masha), John Carroll (Trigorin), Mason Reynolds (Dorn), Michael Harper (Medvedyenko), and Maya Post (Yakov).

In addition to Johnson, the creative team includes scenic designer Tucker Topel, lighting designer Madeleine Steineck, production stage manager Bridget Gedeon, and assistant stage managers Kate Bentley and Maya Dildine.

Performances are Thursday through Saturday, Jan. 25-27, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Jan. 28, at 2 p.m., in Taylor Little Theatre on the Mercyhurst campus.

Single tickets are $15 for adults; $10 for senior citizens and non-Mercyhurst students, and $5 for youth and Mercyhurst students with I.D. Each order is subject to a $1.50 per ticket processing fee, regardless of purchase or payment method.

All performances are general admission, with doors opening 30 minutes prior to curtain.  

Patrons can reserve their tickets online at miac.universitytickets.com, by phone at 814-824-3000 (Tues.-Thurs., 12-5 p.m.) or at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center box office. Tickets will also be on sale at Taylor Little Theatre beginning 90 minutes before curtain.