Character Profiles
MARIA
(Arkadina in Chekhov’s The Seagull)
A famous actress in denial of the fact that she is past her prime. She has acquired a certain amount of wealth, which allows her to maintain a home in the Hamptons, but feels pressured by the many people who look to her for financial support. She loves her son but does not understand him, and feels threatened by his disdain for “her” type of theater. Highly insecure, she has a driving compulsion to be the center of attention at all times.
You know, I’ll share something with you, darling—woman to woman. Do you know I would never dream of leaving my bedroom—even to go downstairs to get my morning coffee—without first having showered, dressed, done my hair just so, and—most important, put on my make-up…carefully? … I’ll tell you another secret, dear. I still believe I can get any man I want—truly! And believe me, that’s half the battle. Oh, and yoga! I do it every morning. Look at me!
SHE STARTS TO SKIP DOWN THE BEACH, ARMS AKIMBO.
I could still play Juliet! (Act 2)
NICHOLAS
(Sorin in Chekhov’s The Seagull).
Maria’s brother. A retired attorney frustrated by his own unfulfilled dreams of being a writer. A confirmed bachelor, he is neurotic, self-obsessed, and perpetually tormented by what could have been. He adores his sister and depends on her financially.
You see, Alex, when I was your age, I only really wanted two things in life—one: to be a writer, and two: to have a passionate love affair with a gorgeous, talented woman, marry her and be hopelessly in love with my wife for the rest of my life, Unfortunately, I didn't do that either…Take heed, my friend… I've ended up a boring, old, retired lawyer—with nothing to do…and no one to love… It’s actually pretty funny when you think about it— (Act 1)
ALEX
(Konstantin Treplev in Chekhov’s The Seagull)
Maria’s son. Plagued with melancholy and self-doubt, he is constantly trying to win his mother’s attention and affection. He is fed up with commercial theater and wants to create a new kind of theater that is “vibrant and young and dangerous and passionate.” He is also madly in love with Nina, a neighbor.
Why do we have to have theater? I mean, I love my mother but she leads such—a stupid life! She dedicates every waking hour to something that just doesn’t matter! And you can imagine how utterly revolting it feels to be me! Here I am at all her stupid parties full of celebrities and people who have all won prizes for something or other—you know, it’s ridiculous! Pulitzers and Nobels, and book awards, and Oscars and Tonys and all that crap and here I am! I have nothing to say for myself; I can’t even understand what they’re talking about half the time; and they’re all wondering how Maria could have spawned such a pathetic little loser. (Act 1)
NINA
(Nina in Chekhov’s The Seagull)
The daughter of one of Maria’s neighbors. Young and innocent, she is in love with Alex, although she does not always understand his abstract approach to theater. She is an aspiring actress herself, but her family disapproves, labeling theater types like Maria and her set as “perverted liberals” and “Bohemians.” Nina is in awe of established artists like Maria and Philip.
Nina
Do you see that house with the flag-pole and the garden in front—down the beach?
Philip
Yes.
Nina
I grew up in that house. You’ve traveled all over the world, I know, and I’ve never really lived anywhere else. Maybe when I go to college next year—I’ll go someplace far away…(Act 2)
PHILIP
(Trigorin in Chekhov’s The Seagull)
A successful writer somewhat younger than Maria. He is Maria’s boyfriend, but this does not stop him from running around with “every available woman in New York,” and “the technically unavailable ones, too.” Though whatever he needs seems to fall easily at his feet, he is disillusioned with his own success, and suffers from the ennui of the overly admired.
Well, the truth of the matter is, I’m not in control of my life. I’m obsessed by one thought: the same thought day and night—and that thought is: I should be writing. I should be writing. I should be writing. … I’m not living. I’m observing living. I am talking to you here and I look up at the sky for a moment and notice the shape of that cloud formation. Hmmm, I think. It’s shaped like a grand piano! I should make a note of that … It’s like I’m devouring my own life.
(Act 2)
BEN
(Dorn in Chekhov’s The Seagull)
A local doctor, friend to Maria and Nicholas. He is handsome, easygoing and perceptive—the person everyone trusts to hear their problems. In his younger days he was “the biggest Don Juan of them all,” and he still has a way with the ladies. However, he is now too set in his ways as a bachelor to actually settle down with anyone.
Milly
Can I talk to you?
HE SIGHS
Ben
Why not? It seems to be the night for it.
Milly
Well, I’m sorry to ask, but I just need some advice from someone who isn’t completely crazy like everyone else in this house. And—and I don’t know why, but I’ve always felt close to you… […]
Ben
Just tell me what’s wrong, Milly. (Act 1)
LORENZO
(Shamrayev in Chekhov’s The Seagull)
Caretaker and cook at Maria’s summer home. A strong-willed, “impossible” man who is not afraid to go against Maria, and has no patience for her foolishness or that of anyone else in the house. He is despised by his wife and daughter.
A SLOW BURN:
The best I can do to have you…chauffeured into New York is the beginning of next week. And since I, myself, am not a chauffeur I will have to arrange it so that Jose can be freed to drive you. But not today. Today is impossible, as I’ve explained. Jose is fully booked! (Act 2)
PAULA
(Paulina in Chekhov’s The Seagull)
Lorenzo’s wife, Milly’s mother. She hates her husband, and is desperately in love with Ben, who returns her affections, though to a lesser degree. She has been waiting for Ben to agree to her leaving her husband for him for years, and now it is too late. She fluctuates between angry jealousy and nostalgic sorrow.
Paula
You were with Maria all morning, weren’t you?
Ben
IRRITATED:
Well, yes, I was with Maria all morning. So?
Paula
I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. I just get so jealous. It’s killing me. (Act 2)
MILLY
(Masha in Chekhov’s The Seagull)
Daughter of Lorenzo and Paula. She is in love with Alex and deeply depressed and unhappy with her lot in life, which drives her to heavy drinking and other self-destructive behavior. She takes little care of her appearance, and mopes around the house.
Harold
Why do you always wear black? It’s summer for Chrissake!
Milly
I'm in mourning...for my life. I'm unhappy, Harold.(Act 1)
HAROLD
(Medvedenko in Chekhov’s The Seagull)
A schoolteacher who lives in town near Maria’s home in the Hamptons. A relatively poor man surrounded by the wealthy, he is preoccupied with his lack of wealth. He is out of place in Maria’s circle, and hopelessly devoted to Milly despite her complete indifference to him.
Harold
Oh, God… can you imagine what it must feel like to be them? … Some people are just born with it all—looks, talents, money…PLUS they’re madly in love with each other.
Milly
Don’t make me sick.
Harold
I know. Who wants to marry a man who can’t afford his own funeral?
Milly
Look!—Harold! I’m well… touched by your affection; I just can’t return it, okay? (Act 1)
