Flock to The Seagull

January 30, 2012 by Carol Turner 

NCT produces the classic Chekov play

Theater-goers love to hate Anton Chekhov.

Depressing and honestly, not fun to watch, The Seagull doesn’t usually break the mold.

The Nevada Conservatory Theatre’s production is an exception.

The Seagull is about a young man’s passionate need for his mother’s love, an age old theatre subject — think Hamlet and his mother, Gertrude — and is even widespread in contemporary television shows like Two and a Half Men.

Throughout the play, Konstantin seeks his mother, Irina’s, approval for his talent and writing ability but is constantly rejected.

In the end, his lover Nina rejects him too and Konstantin shoots himself. Most of the characters in The Seagull are an unsympathetic group driven to drugs or depression, who are difficult to like or admire. Throughout the play, however, there are many amusing scenes and tender moments experienced by these people that Chekhov created and NCT actors have brought to life.

Brian Vaughn, well known to Las Vegans familiar with the Utah Shakespeare Festival where he is Co-Artistic Director and leading actor, is outstanding as Trigorin, Irina’s young lover, who causes most of Konstantin’s jealousy. Analisa Kimball performs admirably as the unfortunate Nina, who transforms from a lovely young girl to a tragic woman. Rayme Cornell’s portrayal of Irina, a totally self-centered, unfeeling mother, is extremely effective. When she finally shows her tender side to her needy son and gives him a small taste of the love he so desperately craves, the audience is truly moved because of the clear contrast Cornell has created. In addition, John Maltese brilliantly depicts Konstantin’s irrational inability to accept his life, so that we are not surprised when he opts out of it.

One of the most outstanding aspects of this production of The Seagull is Devin Pierce Scheef’s innovative set design. The artistic and visual components of this Seagull are exceptionally effective and come together to create a very fine theater experience. The play opens with the stage filled with long strips hanging from the loft, covered with square pieces of tile. As the lighting changes on the strips and they rise, fall or flutter, an impression of movement in a forest is created.

As the play progresses, lighting changes on these strips cause the seasons and time of day to change. At the back of the stage, behind a small rustic stage, is a lake over which a huge moon, that rises as night falls. Kurt Jung’s lighting design adds a great deal to the entire atmosphere of the play and costumes by Maria Radeva-Nedyalkova add to each character’s persona. Director Michael Lugering has carefully brought all of these theatrical elements together to create a beautiful play.

This production of The Seagull by the Nevada Conservatory Theatre demonstrates the timelessness of an Anton Chekhov play that is well worth seeing.