Quintessence Theatre's THE SEAGULL, Begins Previews Tonight, 5/9

Quintessence Theatre Group concludes its second season with Anton Chekhov's THE SEAGULL, in a translation by Mike Poulton, directed by Alexander Burns. THE SEAGULL starts previews tonight, May 9 at 7pm and opens on Saturday, May 12 at 8pm at the Sedgwick Theater, 7137 Germantown Ave in Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, 19119. To purchase tickets, visit www.QuintessenceTheatre.org or call 1.877.238.5596.

Aspiring playwright Konstanin Treplev is debuting his new play at his uncle's country estate with his girlfriend Nina as his leading actress. In attendance are his mother Arkadina, a celebrated actress, and her lover Trigorin, a famous writer. The reception of the play sets off a series of events unleashing passion, romance, and heartbreak. Challenging notions of structure, comedy, and subtext in theatre, Chekhov's THE SEAGULL was his first theatrical masterpiece and endures as a testimony to the absurdity of the human condition. Mike Poulton's recent translation transforms Chekhov into searing English prose for a contemporary audience.

Following her celebrated star turn as Lady Bracknell in Quintessence's THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, Janis Dardaris* returns to Quintessence as Arkadina. Josh Carpenter* who wowed audiences as The Venetian Twins and lead Quintessence's HENRY V returns as Trigorin. They will be joined by two Philadelphia favorites: William Zielinski* as Dorn, Marcia Saunders* as Polina, both making their Quintessence debuts.
The ensemble includes Jamison Foreman (Konstantin), Robert Bauer (Sorin), Rachel Brodeur (Nina), Julia Frey (Masha), Alexander Harvey (Medvedenko), Randall McCann (Shamrayev), and John Allen (Yakov).

Quintessence Theatre Group is Philadelphia’s new professional classical theatre company, dedicated to the performance and adaptation of epic works of classic drama and literature for the Contemporary Stage. Rooted in the traditions of classical drama, we explore what is essential in theatre and human nature, igniting the mind of artists and audiences through the power of the live actor, design and the spoken word.

Over the next five years Quintessence Theatre Group will work to establish an acting ensemble and a rotating repertory at the historic Sedgwick Theater in Mt. Airy, Philadelphia. This past winter Quintessence presented Jean Anouilh's ANTIGONE, which was heralded as "top-notch", "sublime", and "imperious" by Philadelphia critics.  Quintessence launched its sophomore season with The Venetian Repertory, which marked Quintessence’s first demonstration of the power of a classical repertory ensemble. Quintessence Theatre Group will continue its residency at the historic Sedgwick Theater, playing a central role in the renaissance of main street Mt. Airy, a thriving and diverse neighborhood located in northwest Philadelphia.

THE SEAGULL plays May 9 - June 3. A special PAY WHAT YOU CAN preview will be presented on Wednesday, May 9 at 7:00pm. A discussion on Chekhov with director Alexander Burns will occur before the show on Thursday, May 24.  Post show discussions with the cast will take place on Sunday, May 20 and Wednesday, May 30.

Performances take place on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 3pm. Tickets are $30, $20 for seniors (65 and over), $15 for youth (25 and under). There are $10 industry and student rush tickets available at the box office one hour before the performance. To purchase tickets visit www.QuintessenceTheatre.org, or call1.877.238.5596. For information on any of the performances or above events please email BoxOffice@QuintessenceTheatre.org.

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