Wednesday, October 26, 2011

For its first Mainstage Theatre production of the 2011-12 season, the University of North Carolina Wilmington Department of Theatre presents The Seagull, Nov. 10-20.

The production will run Nov. 10-13 and Nov. 17-20 in the Mainstage Theatre of UNCW's Cultural Arts Building. Shows run at 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, with a 2 p.m. matinee performance each Sunday.

One of playwright Anton Chekhov's masterpieces and one of the first "modern" dramas, The Seagull helped to inaugurate realist theatre by closely and warmly depicting the lives of more than a dozen characters, all of them artists, lovers and dreamers, according to faculty member Renee Vincent, director of the production.

"Poised somewhere between tragedy and comedy-that region in which we all live our lives-the play is a vision of love, learning, determination and transcendence," Vincent said. "The last Chekhov production staged by UNCW was more than 10 years ago; it was time to revisit the work of this master with a new generation of student-actors."

This production promises to be unique in that it is a multi-media show, using shadow puppetry, projections and film to create an atmosphere of magic and play. Vincent's driving vision for the production is "child's play," with the characters embracing their lives with child-like enthusiasm and abandon while trying to make their world a place of charm and enchantment. The set, designed by faculty member Gregg Buck, stunningly juxtaposes iconic images of Russian social life, which the ornate, detailed costumes by faculty member Mark Sorenson will fit the atmosphere of the countryside on the brink of the Russian Revolution.

Faculty member Charles Grimes, who serves as dramaturg for The Seagull, working closely with the director on research and development of the play, said audiences will find both enjoyment and insight in this highly accessible UNCW production.

"Audiences can expect to see images of their own human beauty and folly and can expect to see trained, experienced student-actors working together in an effective ensemble," he said. "We aim to present a Chekhov play free of depression and moping but instead filled with an atmosphere of energetic play."

Individual show tickets for all 2011-12 performances are $12 general public, $10 UNCW employee/alumni or senior citizens, and $5 students. Patrons may also purchase a Season Punch Card, which provides four tickets in any combination for one or multiple performances, with the added benefit of advance ticket purchase for all shows. A punch card holder may use four tickets for one performance, two tickets each for two performances, or as a single ticket for four performances. Punch card prices are $40 general public and $30 UNCW employee/alumni.

Tickets are available in advance at the Kenan Auditorium Box Office (The Seagull tickets are available now) at 910.962.3500. The Cultural Arts Building Box Office is open one hour prior to performances for day-of-show ticket purchase and will-call pickup. For group rates or special accommodations, call 910.962.2061 or email theatre@uncw.edu.

Other upcoming 2011-12 Department of Theatre Productions:

The Visit by Friedrich Dürrenmatt

Directed by Ed Wagenseller

February 23-26, March 1-4

Mainstage Theatre

Margo Veil by Len Jenkin

Directed by Paul Castagno

April 19-22, 26-29

Mainstage Theatre

More information is available online at www.uncw.edu/thr

Media contact:

Dana Fischetti, media relations manager, 910.962.7259 or fischettid@uncw.edu

 

Media are welcome to attend production rehearsals and take video or still photos, or do a live preview. Rehearsal schedule available by request.