‘Seagull’ flies short of expectations

For avid theater-goers, there is always that one play that makes them sit and stay on the edge of their seat, even after the performance has finished. Despite the beautifully fluid language of Anton Chekhov’s “The Seagull,” which opened Friday in the Ruth N. Halls Theatre, it did exactly the opposite. Brilliant costuming and sets seemed to be the few redeeming qualities of this production. \n“The Seagull” is the story of experimental writer Konstantin Gavrilovich, performed by senior Jacob Dahm, and his eccentric actress mother, Irina Nikolaevna, portrayed by graduate student Allison Moody. Irina brings her new love Boris Trigorin, performed by junior Josh Hambrock, to meet her son. Boris becomes infatuated with Konstantin’s girlfriend Nina Mikhailovna, performed by junior Justine Salata, leading to more problems.\nIt was disappointing to watch the players, who were stunning in other Theatre and Drama Center productions, not live up to their true talent. Graduate student Matthew Buffalo was physically on the spot depicting a sick elderly man. However, as soon as he opened his mouth, the believability of his portrayal of an older man disappeared. Instead of the voice of a man in his early ‘60s, what the audience heard was the voice of a 30-something. The character of Nina, on the other hand, was physically and vocally to the point she was melodramatic. When she started to lose grip on reality in the second act, the audience should have been moved to feel for her. Instead, some audience members were moved to waves of laughter. \nDon’t think all of the show was rubbish. There were quite a few stand-out actors and actresses. Moody’s performance kept the audience seething, for she was the character one loves to hate. Her arrogant demeanor and disrespectful treatment of her son were perfect. It was hard not to hate Moody’s character, but the audience is supposed to despise her. \nPerhaps the most brilliantly performed character was Masha, portrayed by graduate student Lilia Vassileva. She was, by far, the most believable character. The audience felt everything that she felt. When she laughed, everyone laughed. When she cried, everyone was saddened. Vassileva’s performance was nothing less than spot-on.\n“The Seagull” will continue to run at 7:30 p.m. through Saturday in the Ruth N. Halls Theatre. Tickets are $16 for adults and $13 for students and seniors. Student rush tickets are available the day of the performance for $10 cash with a valid student ID. Tickets are available at the IU Auditorium Box Office or through Ticketmaster.