"We've been working on this play for three years — since the war in Ukraine began, forcing me and many artists to leave my homeland, where I once created freely. With the war came censorship, and that is the heart of our meta-theatrical show: how can we create art today without fear?” — Alexander Molochnikov.

Kon, a director at the Moscow Art Theatre, stages a bold, free-spirited production of Chekhov’s The Seagull — until Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine casts a shadow of censorship. His once vibrant reimagining, rooted in freedom, is reduced to an empty shell of his vision. Determined to save his play, Kon flees to New York, hoping to bring his true vision to life. But the American dream proves cold. His important and symbolic theater production finds littles welcome, and he faces loss and rejection. Like Treplev, he teeters on the brink of suicide but refuses to give up. Torn between his Russian roots and an elusive American paradise, Kon must redefine himself as an artist and survive. Inspired by real events.

Featuring a stellar cast, including Our Class stars Andrey Burkovskiy and Elan Zafir, this production brings together an international creative team striving to stage a story about staging the Seagull that, as Chekhov envisioned, “flies freely from the soul” in today’s chaotic world. Seagull: True Story is about love, betrayal and the struggle for free artistic expression in a world overshadowed by fear

Alexander Molochnikov (Director), a theater and film director, spoke against Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine and moved to NYC. His acclaimed works span drama, ballet, opera, and film.

En Garde Arts, founded by Executive Artistic Director Anne Hamburger in 1985, is the award-winning pioneer of New York City’s site-specific theatre movement.

CAST

Kon: Eric Tabach
MC: Andrey Burkovskiy
Olga: Zuzanna Szadkowski
Anton: Elan Zafir
Ivan: Quentin Lee Moore
Nico: Stella Baker

DANCERS

Dmitry: Ohad Mazor
Pickle: Keshet Pratt