Life imitates art imitating life in “Seagull: True Story”

Anton Chekhov’s tragedy The Seagull is the jumping-off point for Seagull: True Story, now playing at New York’s Public Theater. Creator-director Alexander Molochnikov and playwright Eli Rarey use events from Molichnikov’s own experience to imaginatively weave Chekhov’s drama with the state of contemporary theatrical creation to come up with this production.

Seagull: True Story begins at the legendary Moscow Art Theatre, founded by actor-director-teacher Konstantin Stanislavski and playwright Anton Chekhov. Director Kon (Eric Tabach) works with his cast on his vision of The Seagull, complete with commentaries on modern Russia. While Kon gets support from his best friend, dramaturg Anton (Elan Zafir), he struggles with his slow-to-comprehend cast, including his glamorous but starting to fade actress mother Olga (Zuzanna Szadkowski), and the Theatre’s manager (Andrey Burkovskiy).

But opening night of Kon’s play coincides with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Ministry of Culture is requiring loyalty oaths from everyone — and more than a few small changes. Kon holds off as long as possible while the theatre manager tries to shield him from the consequences. As a condition for opening, the Ministry demands a pre-play curtain speech from Kon declaring his support for the regime. Kon instead writes a ringing defense of artistic freedom. As a result, the theatre manager and Olga pull strings to get Kon on a flight out of Russia that evening; Anton reads Kon’s speech on stage and is promptly arrested; and the production is canceled.

In New York, Kon meets up with a Broadway producer friend of Olga’s (also played by Burkovskiy) who makes empty promises to help. Kon meets and falls in love with struggling actress Nico (Gus Birney), joining her theatrical circle of avant-garde free spirits. Phone calls from Olga bring the news that Anton has been relocated to Siberia, and there is no progress in gaining his release.

Kon, more determined than ever, finally gets to put on his version of The Seagull in a basement, which Olga flies in to see. But the play is a disaster. The producer doesn’t grasp Kon’s symbolism and refuses to support it. Olga combines her distaste for the production with news of Anton’s fate. And Nico leaves Kon to take up with the producer. Distraught, Kon, like the protagonist of Chekhov’s play, contemplates suicide.

Raney and Molichnikov’s creation gets its power from the strong performances of its cast. Eric Tabach’s Kon is the picture of artistic youth, by turns impatient, stubborn, and foolhardy. Elan Zafir’s Anton is Kon’s supportive, loyal best friend, grounded in reality yet able to see life as a farce. Andrey Burkovskiy is a master comedian, making his roles as the show’s MC, the theatre’s Artistic Director, and the NYC producer three unique characterizations.

The Olga of Zuzanna Szadkowski is in a class of her own. One can see how her memories of past triumphs are her bulwark against the reality that her age is starting to work against her, and knowing her career will fade. Finally, the actors making up the members of both artistic companies give their characters vibrant, individual personalities: Gus Birney, Ohad Nazur, Miles J. McCabe, Quentin Lee Moore, and Keshet Pratt.

Seagull: True Story relies on the audience’s familiarity with Chekhov’s play to see the parallels between the original The Seagull and the trials and tribulations of Kon’s experiences. Yet it stands on its own as an absurdist comedy-drama with emotional depth. If you’ve ever had dreams shattered or hopes crushed by those closest to you, this play will resonate with you. I urge you to attend Seagull: True Story.

Seagull: True Story is presented in LuEsther Hall at the Public Theater, 425 Lafayette Street in New York, through May 3, 2026. For more information, or to purchase tickets, go to publictheater.org.