Uncle Vanya Reviews

P Picardo from New York, New York

AUDIENCE SHARES THE BOREDOM

Word spreads quickly that the “adaptation” is uneven, slow, and lacks commitment to modernity or Chekhov. Suffers from stereotypes that are tropes at this point and dies from it.

Marc W from New York, New York

BORING, TEDIOUS, UNENGAGING

Terribly disappointing, a failed theater experience, not only because of the acting but also the casting and directing (by young superstar Lila Neugebauer who's now heading 3 [!] NYC plays at same time) of this "modernized" version of a so-called masterpiece. An extremely self-conscious, didactic theatrical performance with no one in the cast coming across and engaging the audience as a truly believable person, except for Jonathan Hadary who portrayed the minor--but, again, believable--character of Waffles. Alfred Molina's looming presence and British elocution also proved to be one of the few saving graces, while celebrated star Steve Carell--whose work I've long admired as a true fan--was never meant for, and was unable to rise to the challenge, of such an agonized leading role. Nothing in this staging is suggested or shown; almost every emotion and plot point is TOLD and delivered to the audience...repeatedly. A complete lack of subtlety and nuance. And in terms of relevance, the only reason I could imagine this purported classic was revived on Broadway after its last staging here 20 years ago was because of its eco/environmental subplot, which was a largely unprecedented topic and ingredient Chekhov uncluded in "Uncle Vanya" back in 1898. My wife, as well as a total stranger we happened to meet a week later, both agreed on the points above and were almost shocked when most of the cloying audience rose at the end to offer a standing ovation. Maybe these folks were just seeking a way to justify the waste of their time and money.

Priscilla Karant from New York, New York

DESTRUCTION OF A PLAY

This rewriting of a Chekov play made me weep as did the awful acting. Dreadful

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