Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...Granted, we were all watching "The Seagull," Chekhov's famous exploration of the pain (and black comedy) that flows within a damaged, theatrical family. The iconic play, first produced in 1896 and freshly adapted and directed at Steppenwolf by Yasen Peyankov, is ripe with metaphor for any and all theater companies. It follows the consequences of landing in the orbit of one Irina Nikolaevna Arkadina (Lusia Strus), a fading but once-famous star of the theater whose son, Konstantin (Namir Smallwood) likes to put on summer theatricals starring his beloved muse Nina (Caroline Neff), a fragile young actress. Alas, Nina becomes infatuated with Boris Trigorin (Joey Slotnick), Irina's paramour, but Trigorin proves far from a benevolent figure. Meanwhile, Masha (Karen Rodriguez), Dorn (Eric Simonson), Sorin (Jeff Perry) and the working-class Ilya (Keith Kupferer) and Polina (Sandra Marquez) watch the bemused doings of the upstairs artistic classes with various levels of wry detachment, amusement and justifiable concern."
Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"...Steppenwolf ensemble member Yasen Peyankov has been working on his adaptation of Anton Chekhov's "The Seagull" since 2008. As the opener of the new 400-seat theater in the $53 million Liz and Eric Lefkofsky Arts and Education Center, it's been in the works since pre-COVID days. When the long-gestating production finally opened over the weekend one thing was clear: The wait was worth it."
Daily Herald - Highly Recommended
"...The first act of Steppenwolf Theatre's "Seagull" is standard Steppenwolf. Robust and practiced, it is a solid piece of theater by director Yasen Peyankov, who translated and adapted Anton Chekhov's 1896 tragicomedy to Steppenwolf's stage."
Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...But even with the intimacy afforded in the undeniably lovely and comfortable new theater, there is emotional distance in this show and a presentational quality to moments that should be as stripped-down and accessible as Peyankov’s text. Some of that is the nature of the (feathered?) beast with this play, which always lodges uneasily between tragedy and comedy—a state of affairs implied by the poster, featuring a cartoon bird with a toy gun at its head and a banner reading “BANG!!!” spilling out of the barrel. Everyone is slightly out of sync in the story, but that doesn’t mean that the actors should feel like they’re in different plays, which sometimes happens here."
Windy City Times - Recommended
"...To be sure, one could always argue that it's the job of the actors to impose texture and motive on the dramatic action-a task often facilitated by scenarios kept as bare as possible and dialogue likewise left unembellished. Certainly, no one can fault the assembled cast for not always arriving at decisive line readings for every word of their brand-new script after a mere three performances into the run. During this necessary breaking-in process, however, playgoers can delight in the facial expressions of Lusia Strus' strident Irina and Jeff Perry's curmudgeonly Sorin (played by Scott Jaeck after May 24), Eric Simonson's deft phrasing as the avuncular Dorn, Keith Kupferer's comic timing as the garrulous Shamraev and Carolyn Neff's in-depth text-analysis as a refreshingly resilient Nina. World-class playhouses aren't built in a day, you know."
Chicago On the Aisle - Somewhat Recommended
"...Perhaps any English translation of Chekhov's "The Seagull" could be construed as an adaptation, much the way some experts in early music regard any performance of Bach on modern instruments as an arrangement. There has been a steady stream of English renderings of "The Seagull" since the comedy - Chekhov's own term - first saw light in 1896. Now Steppenwolf Theatre adds to that catalog with an adaptation created by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov, the opening flourish for the company's splendid new in-the-round Ensemble Theater in its grand new building next door to the old one on North Halsted."
Let's Play Theatrical Reviews - Recommended
"...Featuring Steppenwolf co-founder, the superlative Jeff Perry, with ensemble members Sandra Marquez, Caroline Neff, Karen Rodriguez, Eric Simonson, and Namir Smallwood, Steppenwolf boldly brings Russian playwright Anton Chekhov's Seagull to stage. Considered one of the greatest writers of the 19th century, Seagull is regarded as the first of Chekhov's four major plays (Seagull, Uncle Vanya, Three Sisters, and Cherry Orchard). In addition, he produced 14 plays and wrote over 200 short stories."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...A funny thing happened on the way to the theater tonight. It turns out most of the reviewers who were scheduled for tonight's performance ( the ones that did not come over the week-end) were notified that one of the actors was out for personal reasons, and that an understudy would be going on. I was not the only one not notified, however, I am one of the few reviewers who has no problem reviewing a play with an actor/actress going on for another. In fact, there are nights that I am happy to do so. Let's be honest, an understudy has to be good to become an understudy, knowing that in today's world ( with Covid closing theaters all over the place) anything is possible. So, I opted to stay and write my review knowing that at least one reviewer will mention Alexandria Rivera in the role of Masha in Steppenwolf's amazing production of Anton Chekov's "Seagull" adapted by Yasen Peyankov."
Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended
"...This is, all together, a very enjoyable, deeply touching and often comical production of one of theatre's classic plays. Whether it's the audience's first meeting with Chekov or a return visit, this fine production features several excellent and very fine performances that make Chekov's story feel honest and realistic. The playwright's tale of artistic and romantic conflict offers so many memorable characters. It provides, under Yasen Peyankov's expert direction, many laughs and a dose of bittersweet sadness. It's a truly enjoyable production to launch Steppenwolf's long-awaited, flexible new theatre venue, and well worth the journey through the woods to Peter Sorin's Russian lake house."
Buzznews.net - Recommended
"...Purists will have their qualms with this new adaptation but there are only so many ways to use the same dusty old scripts. Yasen Peyankov's script is definitely cheeky, but there's real depth in his version. By cleaning up the clutter of words in traditional translations he makes room for the character ambitions to be clearer. When they don't get what they want, it makes it all the more tragic. If you're looking for a lighter dance through Chekhov, this is the version to see."
The Fourth Walsh - Recommended
"...Chekhov penned his dark comedy in 1895. The play focuses on a writer's (played by Namir Smallwood) quest for love from his mother (played by Luisa Strus), his neighbor Nina (played by Caroline Neff) and his audience. At the onset of the show, Smallwood debuts his latest play starring Neff. His production has Neff lifted off the ground and caged while delivering a passionate monologue. The riveting performance is abruptly stopped by Smallwood. Someone is laughing...not at the play... at him. And it's his mother."
Third Coast Review - Recommended
"...Seagull is quite at home in Steppenwolf's new Ensemble Theater; designed in the round with six rows of seating, all seats are good seats. The stage layout makes scenic design minimal by necessity but Todd Rosenthal's set design uses the space inventively. A circular form in the inlaid wooden floor rises up to become a stage or platform when Nina (Caroline Neff) performs in the new play-within-the-play by aspiring writer Konstantin (Namir Smallwood) in act one. Then a floral-shaped overhead sculpture flies down to encase Nina as she performs. In act two, the platform rises again to become a large round table for cardplaying and dining. This use of hydraulics makes the stage-in-the-round more versatile. The dramatic lighting design is by Marcus Doshi and sound design and original music by Pornchanok Kanchanabanca."
Chicago On Stage - Highly Recommended
"...I'm happy to report, though, that both the production itself and the theatre are remarkable. For those who have forgotten (or didn't know), The Seagull is a wonderfully ensemble-driven piece, so there are plenty of juicy parts for Steppenwolf's experienced actors (including one part, Trigorin, that is generally acclaimed to be his best male character ever, but more on that later). As to the theatre, well, the new theatre-in-the-round is comfortable, beautiful, and carries a few nice surprises that add to the experience of this play. Not only that, but there isn't a bad seat in the house."
PicksInSix - Recommended
"...There were many standout performances on Saturday night at the press performance of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company's "Seagull," the first-ever production in The Ensemble Theater in Honor of Helen Zell, the crown jewel of the Liz and Eric Lefkosky Arts and Education Center. It's all part of a multi-phase $73 million expansion plan for the Steppenwolf campus on North Halsted. And it's magnificent!"
BroadwayWorld - Recommended
"...Peyankov's text is peppered with these kinds of humorous, quick-witted exchanges. Overall, the material brings out a swiftness and a wit that I haven't witnessed in other productions of Chekhov plays. And while some scenes still meander, Peyankov's adaptation on the whole has a welcome economy of language."
NewCity Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...Happily, Peyankov's take on "The Seagull," which is both ambitious and a revelation, more than makes up for new-home and new-work glitches. Peyankov has been engaged in Chekhov productions in Chicago since at least the year 2001, when he appeared in Court Theatre's "The Piano," a dramatic interpretation of the writer's short stories. In that work, and in Peyankov's many subsequent turns at Steppenwolf, he has always had an uncanny gift from wringing a wry tone and humor out of tragic, cruel and world-wearying circumstance."
