Chekhov themes travel through time
‘Seagull’ flies into Astoria with a modern twist
patrick Webb
In a scene from ‘Stupid F*!#ing Bird,’ characters are transplanted to the modern era from Anton Chekhov’s ‘The Seagull.’ Sean Cooney, left, plays a writer who uses a
young actress, played by Cameron Lira, center right, to try to impress his mother, portrayed by Nancy Watkins, center left, and father, portrayed by Mick Alderman, right.
By paTriCK WEBB
Theater enthusiasts might ques-
tion “Stupid F*!#ing Bird.” Is Anton
Chekhov spinning in his grave
as one of his masterpieces, “The
Seagull,” is adapted by a clever
modern American author? Or would
the Russian theater genius’ reaction
have been positive?
“Stupid F*!#ing Bird,” by Aaron
Posner, shifts Chekhov’s characters
to a modern setting and sees them
debate the nature of art. Posner,
who grew up in Eugene, has gained
prominence in the East Coast the-
ater scene through multiple adapta-
tions of Chekhov and Shakespeare.
In total, he has directed more than
100 regional shows. Posner’s debut
production of “Stupid F*!#ing Bird”
opened at a Washington, D.C., the-
ater in 2013.This week, a version of
Posner’s play will take place at the
Ten Fifteen Theater in Astoria on
Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The performance’s director,
Edward James, noted that like many
Astoria theatrical ventures, the idea
germinated in the basement studio
of Susi Brown, one of the leading
forces behind Pier Pressure Produc-
tions, which begat the Ten Fif-
teen. As COVID concerns started
‘Stupid F*!#ing Bird’
Ten Fifteen Theater, 1015
Commercial st., astoria
Friday and saturday at
7:30 p.m., sunday at 3:30 p.m.
General admission is $15.
proof of COVid vaccination
required.
www.thetenfifteentheater.
com
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Thursday, april 14, 2022 // 11