EVANSVILLE, IN (09/26/2023) The University of Evansville Theatre opens their 2023-2024 season with Anton Chekhov’s THE SEAGULL, translated by Tom Stoppard. This production opens at 7:30 pm, Friday, Sept. 29, in Shanklin Theatre. Additional performances are at 7:30 p.m., on Sept. 30, Oct. 12, 13, 14, and at 2:00 p.m., on Oct. 15.
This achingly beautiful story of unrequited love is as timeless today as in the 1890s Russian countryside in which it is set. Stoppard’s masterful translation remains faithful to the humor that Chekhov intended to convey amid all the pathos. Diving into the psychological minefields between mothers, sons, lovers, and familial relations, the passionate lives of these characters are all on full display as they make decisions that are often paradoxical, sometimes destructive, but always recognizably human. A vast emotive masterpiece with music in its words, this play will sear itself into your memory!
THE SEAGULL is directed by Assistant Professor Amelia McClain ’03. Ethan Henry, a sophomore theatre performance major from Salina, Kan., serves as the associate director; Associate Professor Eric Renschler ’83, serves as the scenic designer; Violet Nassri, a senior design and technology major from Dallas, Texas, is the costume designer; Ethan Santiago, a sophomore design and technology major from Belton, Texas, is the lighting designer; Jonathan Roth, a sophomore design and technology major from Brookfield, Wis., serves as the sound designer; Katie Lawhorn, a junior stage management major from Louisville, Ky., is the stage manager, and Visiting Assistant Professor Scott Carpenter ’05 serves as the technical director.
The cast features Lillian Grace Carlson, a senior performance major from Minneapolis, Minn., as Masha; Trace Levens, a junior performance major from Bryan, Texas, as Medvedenko; Kurt Sparks, a first-year performance major from Millville, N.J., as Sorin; Arturo Quepons, a sophomore performance major from San Antonio, Texas, as Konstantin; Beverley Buchanan, a senior performance major from Tomball, Texas, as Nina; Folarin Oyeleye, a first-year performance major from Richmond, Texas, as Dorn; Christina Tinde Jesenski, a senior performance major from Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., as Polina; Amoren Newton, a first-year performance major from Denton, Texas, as Shamraev; Ashly Chalico, a junior performance major from Magnolia, Texas, as Arkadina; Caden Sevier, a senior performance major from Humble, Texas, as Trigorin; Ethan Henry, a sophomore performance major from Salina, Kan., as Yakov; Daphne Wheeler, a first-year performance major from Star, Idaho, as Maid; and Brayden Havard, a first-year performance major from Montgomery, Texas, as Cook.
Adult ticket prices are $20 and $18 for senior adults, UE employees, and non-UE students. UE students may obtain one free student rush ticket beginning at 12 p.m. on the day of the performance they wish to attend. In addition, UE Theatre is excited to continue their “Pay What You Will” initiative again this second season. Every Thursday evening performance in Shanklin Theatre is available for any person to pay any price that best fits their budget.
Season subscriptions for the 2023-2024 Shanklin Theatre season are also available and are $50 for an adult subscription and $44 for a discount subscription for senior adults, UE employees, and non-UE students. This three-play season includes THE SEAGULL, the smash-hit musical RENT, and the powerful WAITING FOR LEFTY. A May Studio Theatre Discovery Package can be purchased for $18 and includes A BRIGHT NEW BOISE and POTUS OR, BEHIND EVERY GREAT DUMBASS ARE SEVEN WOMEN TRYING TO KEEP HIM ALIVE. Subscriptions may be purchased by calling the ticket office at 812.488.2031, Monday through Friday, 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. Single tickets may be purchased online at theatre.evansville.edu or by calling the ticket office.
