ANTON CHEKHOV IS A TASTY SNACK

by Jenny Connell Davis

A small theater company with big ambitions decides to mount the best dang production of Chekhov's The Seagull that this town has ever seen. But as the rehearsal process draws on for months, art imitates life imitating art and the whole cast goes increasingly around the bend. A wildly fast-and-loose adaptation of The Seagull, Jenny Connell Davis's new comedy takes on the absurdity of making theater.

A small theater company with big ambitions decides to mount the best dang production of Chekhov's The Seagull that this town has ever seen. But as the rehearsal process draws on for months, art imitates life imitating art and the whole cast goes increasingly around the bend. A wildly fast-and-loose adaptation of The Seagull, Jenny Connell Davis's new comedy takes on the absurdity of making theater.

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ANTON CHEKHOV IS A TASTY SNACK

Recommended by

  • KJ Sanchez: ANTON CHEKHOV IS A TASTY SNACK by Jenny Connell Davis
    “

    This play is a blast. Would be a super fun exorcism for anyone in theater. Funny - Davis actually makes Chekhov funny - and then suddenly deep and then the ending is absolutely gorgeous.

    This play is a blast. Would be a super fun exorcism for anyone in theater. Funny - Davis actually makes Chekhov funny - and then suddenly deep and then the ending is absolutely gorgeous.

    ”
  • Brian James Polak: ANTON CHEKHOV IS A TASTY SNACK by Jenny Connell Davis
    “

    I love this play. It is so funny and a rollercoaster ride, with surprising twists and turns. Who knew a playwright could make Chekhov move so briskly? I am a huge fan of Chekhov and any adaptation or deconstruction of his work. This is one of the best I've read. Wonderful work!

    I love this play. It is so funny and a rollercoaster ride, with surprising twists and turns. Who knew a playwright could make Chekhov move so briskly? I am a huge fan of Chekhov and any adaptation or deconstruction of his work. This is one of the best I've read. Wonderful work!

    ”
  • Sarah Saltwick: ANTON CHEKHOV IS A TASTY SNACK by Jenny Connell Davis
    “

    More than just a theatrical snack, this play is a delicious meal. The jokes fly fast. The characters are perfect for skilled actors to sink their teeth into - there is so much to play with here. Perfect for both audiences both extremely knowledgable on Chekhov and newcomers. A true crowd pleaser.

    More than just a theatrical snack, this play is a delicious meal. The jokes fly fast. The characters are perfect for skilled actors to sink their teeth into - there is so much to play with here. Perfect for both audiences both extremely knowledgable on Chekhov and newcomers. A true crowd pleaser.

    ”
View all 4 recommendations

Character Information

  • Stage Manager (Natalie) / Olga
    A stage manager. Has seen it all. Twice. Somehow still loves theater.
    20s-30s
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female,
      Non-binary
  • Ingenue (Elena) / Liza Mizinova
    According to her Insta Profile: "an ethnically ambiguous small-town girl with big dreams exclamation point!" Fresh out of theater school. Focus on musical theater. Don't be fooled -- she's prepared to use every card she's been dealt to full advantage.
    20s
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Diva (Dana) / Masha
    Started in Chicago storefront theater, still getting royalty checks for movies-of-the-week a couple of decades back, trying desperately to claw her way back into the regionals-then-NYC, or at least make her Equity weeks to pay for medical procedures she'd rather not discuss, thanks. ALSO a real-deal talent.
    40s+
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Director (Alex) / Stanislavsky
    A talented, ambitious actor and director, who runs a great theater company in a town where you can't make a solid living at that. Moved here for family. Makes his mortgage doing VoiceOver and film.
    30s-40s
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Dramaturg (John) / Anton Chekhov Himself
    An enthusiastic adjunct professor of Russian Language and Literature from the local university. Loves theater, but doesn't know a ton about it. Loves theater people, because he doesn't know a ton about them. Also...later...Anton Chekhov. Who knows a lot about people in general and theater people in particular.
    30s-40s
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male

Development History

  • Reading, Penfold Theater, 2024
  • Workshop, Penfold Theater, 2023
  • Commission, Penfold Theater, 2022

Awards

  • Eugene O'Neill Theater Conference
    Semi-Finalist
    2024