Anton Chekhov Is A Tasty Snack
by Penfold Theatre Company
Jun. 06 - Jun. 28
Thursdays-Sundays
Commissioned by Penfold and previously developed through a staged reading in April 2024, the playis both a love letter to and satire of small town theatre. It follows the efforts of a Texas theatre
director who assembles a tiny team to pull off an overly ambitious adaptation of Anton Chekhov's The Seagull.
The production concludes Penfold’s first season in its newly opened space in Round Rock. Liz Fisher directs the five-person cast led by Penfold Co-Founder and Artistic Director Ryan Crowder, playing the character titled Director. Gabrielle Smith portrays SM (an abbreviation for stage manager); Helen Merino takes on the role of Diva; Diego Arroyo Aceves serves as Turg (short for dramaturg); and Abigail Bensman plays Ingenue.
The creative team includes Stephanie Delk as Stage Manager, Gary Thornsberry as Set Designer, Monica Pasut Gibson as Costume Designer, Jaqueline Sindelar as Lighting Designer, Lowell Bartholomee as Sound Designer, Liz Tyson as Props Designer, and Monroe Oxley as Technical Director.
“It's been an absolute delight to develop Anton Chekhov Is a Tasty Snack with Penfold, and I couldn't be more thrilled to premiere the show in Round Rock,” says playwright Jenny Connell Davis.“This play is a loving send-up of all the ridiculous theatre people I've ever known (including me). For better or worse, when you get a bunch of theatre people in a room, we're pretty absurd.”
“I am so proud to be collaborating with Jenny and the Penfold team on this dynamic and hilarious project,” says director Liz Fisher. “I am excited to see Penfold continuing its commitment to producing new plays in its beautiful new home in Round Rock. After the enthusiastic response from folks at last year’s staged reading at the Round Rock Library, I hope audiences will see how their thoughts and feedback helped shape this world premiere.
In this fast-and-loose adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull, a small-yet-ambitious Texas theatre company is determined to stage the most impressive production of this classic play the town has ever seen. However, as rehearsals drag on for months, the boundary between art and life blurs, and the cast finds themselves descending into chaos, mirroring the play’s own themes of passion and folly. This hilarious new comedy captures the absurdity and challenges of making theater, showcasing Davis’s sharp wit and keen understanding of the human condition.
“Things on stage should be as complicated and yet as simple as in life. People dine – just dine – while their happiness is made and their lives are smashed.” - Anton Chekhov
Acclaimed Austin playwright Jenny Connell Davis is nown for her work as the in-house writer for the Emmy-award-winning Baobab Studios, Davis has screenplays in development with Fox/Disney, Amazon Studios, Sony, and more. Her award-winning plays have been produced nationwide, solidifying her reputation as a significant voice in contemporary American theater.
This project is funded in part by the City of Round Rock.
Anton Chekhov Is A Tasty Snack
by Jenny Connell Davis
Penfold Theatre Company
June 06 - June 28, 2025
June 6-28, 2025
Ticket price: $19-$39
Run time: 2 hours
For ages: High school+
Need help? Email us or dial (512) 850-4849.
