Bluebird Arts’ “Stupid Fucking Bird” with Bob Pries (Sorn), Magdalena Dalzell (Nina), David Fink (Dev), Nicholas Barelli (Con), Dana Muelchi (Mash), Laura Sturm (Emma), David Fehr (Trig)/Photo: Anthony LaPenna
Chekhov isn’t for everybody. In theater, Chekhov is usually the baseline for realism on the stage. At the identical time, Aaron Posner’s very unfastened adaptation of Chekhov’s “The Seagull” (assume “The Lion King” as a unfastened adaptation of “Hamlet”) doesn’t even know the place the baseline is. Don’t get me incorrect, I like a very good satire. I’m group Con all the best way; let’s deconstruct theater to its core and check out one thing new. But Posner’s “Stupid Fucking Bird” appears to be about stroking a tutorial ego relatively than saying or demonstrating something—particularly in case you aren’t a Chekhov nerd.
“The Seagull” is a basic Chekhov play, displaying us folks simply present. Not rather a lot occurs. The artists get into scuffles, and, finally, conclusions are met. It’s easy Chekhovian realism. Posner’s “Bird” is identical on this manner however combined with prolonged diatribes and non sequitur sequences bemoaning the which means of artwork, life or love. These similarities aren’t misplaced on me, an ambivalent fan of Chekhov, however a real fan of his gun precept.
Chekhov’s gun merely signifies that each aspect in a present, like a gun on a desk, must serve a function. Whether intentional or not, Posner’s “Bird” takes purpose at Chekhov’s gun and obliterates it. By the top of the present, I genuinely didn’t perceive why so many corporations carry out this work.
To depart my Posner-esque soapbox, I need to commend the manufacturing of “Stupid Fucking Bird” by Bluebird Arts. Per inventive director and present director Luda Lopatina Solomon’s pre-show speech, this manufacturing has been ready within the wings since March of 2020—speak about realism in theater. For all of the methods wherein I can not stand the textual content of this play, I’d be remiss to allow you to assume any of that has something to do with this manufacturing. Solomon’s deft course, alongside along with her forged of seven, weave via Posner’s overly dense play to create their very own gully of a world.
Bluebird Arts’ “Stupid Fucking Bird” with Bob Pries/Photo: Anthony LaPenna
As burgeoning playwright Con, Nicholas Barelli provides us every little thing. While I feel the Posner diatribes, even Con’s, make this play for much longer than it must be, Barelli performing them is an entire different story. His passionate outcry for change within the arts ripped via Theater Wit’s area, begging to be observed. All the whereas, Bob Pries’ solemn Sorn speaks aloud a number of the intrusive ideas all of us should have; what’s typical about human nature anyway?
Bluebird Arts’ “Stupid Fucking Bird” with Dana Muelchi and David Fink/Photo: Anthony lapel
But the 2 who actually stole my coronary heart on this manufacturing have been Dana Muelchi as Mash and David Fink as Dev. As the comedic companions all through the present, these two remind us that even after we are within the pits of our personal despair, there’s something to convey us levity. Even if that’s a dark-humored tune strummed on a ukelele.
I can’t inform you that this play will change the world. Or that you simply won’t additionally squirm questioning if Posner thinks himself Con the changer of artwork whereas questioning why he wrote such an unnecessarily prolonged play. If you possibly can put these issues apart and expertise Bluebird’s present for the superb manufacturing that it’s, separated from the play itself, which I’m moderately positive Chekhov would’ve hated, you’ll get pleasure from it. Also, in case you assume Chekhov was a complete goon and that his realism must go the best way of pagers, you’ll doubly get pleasure from it.
“Stupid Fucking Bird” at Theater Wit, 1229 West Belmont, theaterwit.org, enjoying via December 9. $10-$30.
