Failing to See the Humor in Chekhov

SOLANA BEACH — The tale of a belittling mother and a son doomed to fail in relationships as he subconsciously tries to replay the battle for his mother’s love through the relationships he chooses is insightful, funny and sad.

It’s not Albert Brooks’ recent film, “Mother,” we’re talking about, but rather Anton Chekhov’s “The Seagull,” which holds up remarkably well in its centennial.

There are moments in North Coast Repertory Theatre’s presentation of Chekhov’s classic that are emotionally stunning. Despite the production’s flaws--and it’s far from perfect--there is much here to intrigue and, ultimately, to satisfy.

The North Coast’s failings lie in subtleties of cadence, timing and, occasionally, the depth of the portrayals. Chekhov’s wistful mix of comedy-laced pain and pain-laced comedy is as hard to get right as a Mozart opera. Yet there is much that is right and revelatory about this production.

Sandra Ellis-Troy forcefully portrays the steel will under the charm as Arkadina, the beautiful, egotistical and overbearing actress-mother. Paul Battle’s expressions paint the tortured effect on her son, Konstantin, who keeps trying to find his self-worth in the chill of her shadow.

*

Best of all is Dede Pamperin as Konstantin’s unspoiled girlfriend, Nina, who makes the arc from fresh and innocent country girl to aching wound as she disastrously transfers her affections from Konstantin to his mother’s lover, Trigorin (Tim West), a successful writer whom Konstantin thoroughly detests.

The direction by Olive Blakistone, artistic director of the theater, lacks the lightness and subtlety of Michael Frayn’s contemporary, easy-on-the-ear translation. Chekhov, a doctor and comic writer turned “serious” dramatist, complained that directors kept missing the comedy in his later work; one imagines he would make the same complaint here. Yet Blakistone’s overall feeling for the complicated relationships is right.

*

Supporting parts, such as West’s portrayal of Trigorin, the self-obsessed writer, work strongly. D. Candis Paule exudes the sadness of Masha, the woman who yearns vainly for Konstantin, but Paule lacks enough self-deprecating humor.

Marty Burnett’s set design segues smoothly from the countryside’s garden to the family’s dining and drawing rooms, although a tad heavy on omnipresent greenery. Judy Watson’s costumes successfully evoke a sense of being lived in. And that’s the sense that the cast needs to invoke better with the lines--a sense of being lived in, rather than the heavy air of importance that comes with being self-consciously performed.

Still, if this production does not mine all of Chekhov’s treasures, it nevertheless offers jewels of insight that are worthy of note.

* “The Seagull,” North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987D Lomas Sante Fe Drive, Solana Beach. Thursday-Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 and 7 p.m. Ends Feb. 16 after 2 p.m. show. $14-$16. (619) 481-1055. Running time: 2 hours, 16 minutes.

John Steed: Medvedenko

D. Candis Paule: Masha

George W. Flint: Sorin

Paul Battle: Konstantin

Jack Crissman: Yakov

Dede Pamperin: Nina

Irene Winfield: Polina

Joe Nesnow: Dr. Dorn

Kurt Reichert: Shamrayev

Sandra Ellis-Troy: Arkadina

Tim West: Trigorin

A North Coast Repertory Theatre production of a play by Anton Chekhov. Translation by Michael Frayn. Directed by Olive Blakistone. Sets: Marty Burnett. Lights: Christopher Rynne. Sound: Tony J. Martin. Costumes: Judy Watson. Stage manager: Jack Crissman.