By Bobby Panza

A fresh take on Anton Chekhov’s “The Seagull” is about to grace the stage at Rutgers Presbyterian Church on the Upper West Side. The production will feature a new translation by Upper West Sider John Christopher Jones, a Broadway and film veteran and noted character actor. “Sea Gull” will be performed by the Brooklyn-based theater company and film studio, Adult Film, a group of working-class artists that have been preparing for this curtain call since May of 2022.

“It’s about artists and non artists,” said Jones during a phone interview with West Side Rag, describing “Sea Gull” at its core. “It’s about being in love with the wrong person.” He said the show holds personal significance to him, drawing a comparison to his brother, who loves to fish but lacks patience when waiting to get a bite. “It presents quite an anomaly,” said Jones. He also noted the varied interpretations of the play, suggesting that, depending on one’s mindset, it could be seen as either a comedy or a drama, or perhaps both.

Translating Chekhov isn’t new territory for Jones. From late 2011 through early 2012, Jones’s translation of “The Cherry Orchard” was featured in the Chekhov Cycle at Classic Stage, alongside notable actors like John Turturro and Diane Wiest. Jones, of Welsh descent, mentioned that he studied Russian while focusing on theater at Brown University, helping him prepare for the task.

Born in Buffalo, NY, Jones has been living on the Upper West Side since 1977. He came to pursue acting after gaining experience in regional theater. That same year, he made his Broadway debut in Simon Gray’s “Otherwise Engaged.” Over the years, he had roles in such classic films as “Moonstruck,” “The Hurricane,” and “Awakenings.” Now, 76, Jones resides in a nursing home near the church, as he battles late-stage Parkinson’s disease. Living just a short walk from Rutgers Presbyterian, a progressive church known for its social justice work, Jones says he has found solace and inspiration as a member of its congregation. He praised Rutgers for its “great music department,” and inspirational sermons during services.

Adult Film artistic director, Ryan Czerwonko will be directing and playing the role of Konstantin. The cast features Mia Vallet as Nina, Megan Metrikin as Arkadina, Christian Ryan as Trigorin, Lauren Guglielmello as Masha, Simon Fortin as Sorin, Rob Riordan as Medvedenko, Christopher Jon Martin as Dorn, Ellie Mae Miller as Paulina, and Peter Rinaldi as Shemreyev, with Rob Riordan understudying.

“This production brings New York City today into sharp focus, asking who really is an artist? Who gets to make theater? Who is kept out? And what is art itself?” said a Rutgers press release.

Previews of “Sea Gull” are May 8 and 9, with tickets priced at $17. Regular performances will run from May 10 to 26, with $28 tickets. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. The venue is located at 276 West 73rd Street, between Broadway and West End Avenue. Tickets are available here.

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