'Seagull' flies high at the Pear 'Seagull' flies high at the Pear (September 26, 2003)

Local production of Chekhov's classic a first-class experience

by Lloyd Watts

Mountain View's Pear Avenue Theatre launches its second season with a powerful production of Anton Chekhov's classic dark comedy, "The Seagull." Although written in 1896, the play, adapted by Tom Stoppard in 1997, addresses timeless themes that ring true today: the quest for love, the need for artistic recognition and the various ways that people struggle to improve their lives or to resign themselves to fate.

In "The Seagull," young writer Konstatin Treplev stages an open-air production of a play he wrote specifically to star Nina, an aspiring actress he loves. Unfortunately, his play is mocked by family and friends, including his famous actress mother Arkadina, and her lover, the literary celebrity Trigorin. Konstantin's humiliation turns to anguish when Trigorin steals Nina's love from him and then abandons her.

The play's richness lies in its many intertwining layers of relationships and ambitions, well-played by a talented local cast. Joshua Hayden's portrayal of the handsome, tormented young Konstantin provides a sturdy foundation for the play and a foil for the rest of the cast. Diane Tasca is wonderful as the flamboyant and self-absorbed Arkadina, who cruelly derides her son's ill-fated artistic efforts and pulls out all the stops to seduce Trigorin into submission when his eyes begin to wander toward Nina. As Trigorin, Kurt Gravenhorst is entirely convincing as the unfulfilled but popular writer who blithely uses the plight of the people around him as fodder for his formulaic stories.

As Nina, Kiete Davis has some interesting choices to make. In the first three acts, Davis is convincing as the star-struck ingenue; however, in the fourth act, which takes place two years later, after she has been jilted by Trigorin and lost her baby, one might expect her to register a more profound loss of innocence and a more fragile state of mind. Nonetheless, Davis' performance works and sets her up for an excellent delivery of one of the best surprise lines in the play.

Louis Graham gives a riveting performance as Sorin, the ailing and eccentric estate owner. Excellent performances are turned in by Eric Rice (Medvedenko, the submissive schoolteacher), Pat Tyler (Polina, Sorin's adulterous housemistress), John Baldwin (the wise and reassuring Dr. Dorn) and Victor Brandalise (Shamraev, the good-natured estate manager). Special mention goes to Liz Gibson (Masha), who gradually unveils her character's fierce intelligence beneath the bitterness of her unreciprocated love for Konstantin, and the resentment of having to settle for marriage to Medvedenko.

As director, Jeanie Forte has succeeded in creating a powerful dramatic experience with a well-chosen local cast, a relatively sparse set design (by Forte and Jennifer Shepler) and authentic period costumes (by Tyler and Tasca). This is a first-class live theater experience.

What: Anton Chekhov's "The Seagull," featuring a version by Tom Stoppard,

Where: The Pear Avenue Theatre, located at 1220 Pear Avenue, Unit K (off Shoreline Boulevard, across from Century 16 Theatres) in Mountain View.

When: Through Oct. 12. Show times are Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 or 7 p.m. (please call to confirm show times).

Cost: Tickets are $20/$15 for Friday and Saturday shows; $15/$10 for Thursday and Sunday shows.

Info: Call (650) 254-1148 or visit www.thepear.org.