The Seagull, in a new version by Christopher Hampton, is directed by Ian Rickson. Time is running out to see it. The play ends its limited engagement as scheduled on Dec. 21 at the Walter Kerr Theatre (219 West 48th Street).
Producer Sonia Friedman commented, "My fellow producers and I are tremendously proud of Ian Rickson's exquisite production and this extraordinarily talented and sublime acting company. New York audiences have been wonderful and proved that it's possible for Chekhov to be a commercial success on Broadway, which is a huge achievement for all concerned."
(This is the second Broadway recoupment announced Dec. 8. The limited run of All My Sons is now an official hit, as well.)
The production stars Kristin Scott Thomas as Arkadina, Peter Sarsgaard as Trigorin and Mackenzie Crook as Konstantin, with Art Malik as Dorn, Carey Mulligan as Nina, Pearce Quigley as Medvedenko, Peter Wight as Sorin, Zoe Kazan as Masha, Ann Dowd as Polina, Julian Gamble as Shamrayev, Christopher Patrick Nolan as Yakov, Mary Rose as the Maid and Mark Montgomery as The Cook.
The production originated in London and picked up a handful of American actors (including Peter Sarsgaard) for its Broadway transfer. The Seagull, written in 1895, "concerns the romantic entanglements and regrets of a group of actors, writers and artists gathered on a Russian estate. One of the theatre's great plays about writing, The Seagull conveys the struggle for new forms and the frustrations and fulfillment of putting words on a page."
Rickson originally staged this production as his farewell to the Royal Court Theatre, when he ended his seven-year tenure as the distinguished theatre's artistic director. The limited run became a sold-out smash hit and the biggest selling production in the Royal Court's 50-year history.
Kristin Scott Thomas, Mackenzie Crook, Art Malik, Carey Mulligan, Christopher Patrick Nolan, Pearce Quigley, Mary Rose and Peter Wight are appearing with the permission of Actors' Equity Association.
Performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 8 PM, with matinees Wednesday and Saturday at 2 PM and Sunday at 3 PM.
The Seagull is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Bob Boyett, Robert G. Bartner, Dede Harris, Norman & Steven Tulchin, Fox Theatricals, Dena Hammerstein, Sharon Karmazin, Olympus Theatricals, Spring Sirkin, Tara Smith, Morton Swinsky, Karl Sydow, The Weinstein Company, Falkenstein/deRoy, Florin/Hirschhorn and Gutterman/McGinnis.
Visit www.SeagullThePlay.com.
