3.5 out of 5 stars

There’s no denying the ambition behind “Seagull: True Story,” a sprawling, autobiographical account of Russian-born director Alexander Molochnikov’s attempt to build a new life for himself in New York and stage Chekhov’s classic play here. There’s also no denying how the piece, created and directed by Molochnikov, smartly uses the very ideas of “The Seagull” – about finding personal freedom – as a metaphor for his journey. But the work packs in too many staging elements and theatrical devices, feeling almost more like a Russian circus at times. The eager cast generally has a good time with it in any case. — Charles Passy

At the Public Theater, through April 26, 2026; publictheater.org. (Review date: March 31, 2026)