Life Sucks.

See it if you want to see another Aaron Posner redo of Chekhov and if you have a high tolerance for hearing the F word.

Don't see it if you don't like players to address the audience and ask them questions or if you feel that Chekhov is not to be messed with.

See it if It is initially quite clever, breaking the fourth wall and inviting us in. But ultimately it becomes a smirk rather than a wink.

Don't see it if You want any character development or sense of resolution. It just sort of peters out.

See it if you're a fan of Chekov and want to see an adaptation with talented actors.

Don't see it if you want to see a well written and directed drama.

See it if you enjoy a mediocre, presumably comedic adaptation of Uncle Vanya

Don't see it if you'd like a smarter and more intelligent take on Chekhov -even if it's funny.

See it if You like dysfunctional family dramas.

Don't see it if You are looking for something with a pulse.

See it if You like to see great actors in an existential yawn of a play. The actors shine.. the material not so much

Don't see it if You have no patience for pretentious existential plays.

See it if you are interested in a contemporary adaptation that never captures the humor or the depth of character expression of Chekov.

Don't see it if you expect laughs or sobbing, character development, or believable relationships.

See it if You don't mind constantly hearing the F word.

Don't see it if You don't want to see a 2 hr straight talking show.

See it if You are interested in a quirky adaptation of Uncle Vanya. Acting was very good. Some funny lines.

Don't see it if You prefer a serious version of a classic play. the play was mildly entertaining but the story felt empty, slow at times & boring.

See it if into re-living what was fresh 20 years ago

Don't see it if you can watch Vanya on 42nd Street instead

Also This was off from the first moment - what was supposed to be a casual-talk-to-audience intro felt like a reenactment. The shadow of a cute concept from years ago lingers, even the cultural references seem stuck. Why not make it feel real and current? What a waste of good actors.... Read more Read less

See it if you really love modern adaptations of classics.

Don't see it if you are expecting something truly fresh and inspired.

See it if you enjoy plays about friends

Don't see it if you want happy endings

See it if you don't want to miss the enjoyable spot-on & lived-in performances of a top-knotch company of actors-except for the actor in one key role.

Don't see it if you are expecting to be moved at all. It does approach poignancy at times, especially in the scenes helmed by actress Kimberly Chatterjee.

Also The audience participation at my performance did not work--awkward & did not add to the play at all. Additionally, the actor, a new addition to the cast, playing Vanya, offers a fairly superficial interpretation & has not yet found any depth in his character.... Read more Read less

See it if If you enjoy ‘reality’ styled theater. Characters talk to the audience adding humor and intimate moments throughout. Nice direction.

Don't see it if This is a non-traditional show. This show tries too hard to be different. A little boring at times.

See it if You like drama modernization make overs with a humorous twist.

Don't see it if You don’t like dull dramas with long dramatic pauses, frequent F Bombs & actors asking the audience questions.

Also This drama was way too long & with a full sheet of Actor Changes.
Some good acting but very dull & boring. Uncle Vanya was slow, dull & boring. This show is comparable but with a few humorous moments if you don’t fall asleep. You can easily nod off during the frequent & very long dramatic pauses.
Small theatre with some empty but comfy seats conducive for napping.
We heard the 2nd Act was no better than the 1st Act & much longer. We were Glad there was an Intermission so we could Run Away. Life Sucks & So did this show!!😴😤😬... Read more Read less

See it if i did not like the show but the acting was okay

Don't see it if it is confusing and slow

See it if You are a Chekov fan, or if you enjoy theatre that has sort of a semi-intellectual college vibe to it. Some solid performances in there.

Don't see it if If you want a show that moves. This one is a bit slow for my taste, and had indulgent direct address to the audience.

See it if You like Chekov, Uncle Vanya or a lot of discussion and cast talking to the audience a bit. However, excellent acting by some cast members.

Don't see it if You're tired, find many characters who are not that interesting on stage a lot, or if you like grab your attention plays. This isn't it.

See it if you're the type to laugh too loud at the most obvious, cliches quips and comments and breaking the fourth wall with direct address.

Don't see it if for pronounced stagey acting where no one really talks to each other, just hitting their cues, and unengaging dialogue and plotting.

See it if you are interested in a modern version of Chekhov's Uncle Vanya.

Don't see it if Chekhov's stories are not your taste.

See it if Play based on Chekhov play. Good cast who work hard to honor the play.

Don't see it if You don't like actors breaking the fourth wall directly communicating with audience. Play became tedious at times.

See it if If you enjoy comedy with no real plot or particular point

Don't see it if If you like your plays with a clearly articulated plot line and cohesiveness

See it if You like updated versions of classics, you’re okay seeing great actors shining intermittently in so-so material.

Don't see it if You have a low tolerance for pretentiousness and pseudo profundity. The play forgets to tell an engaging story.

Also Though the stage is filled with excellent actors trying there best, Life Sucks fails to hold the audience’s attention. The characters are self-pitying and inconsistent. The moments of genuine emotion are overanalyzed by the characters experiencing them, blunting their impact. The plot is made to feel flimsy, and falls apart entirely in act two. That’s not to say there isn’t anything to enjoy. The humor is strong throughout. The audience interaction and fourth-wall breaking works surprisingly well. Nadia Bowers and Austin Pendleton are wryly hilarious standouts. Unfortunately, the bright spots are not enough to save this pretentious, self-indulgent production. Talent isn’t the problem. Life Sucks begs for editing, structure and sincere emotion.... Read more Read less

See it if Chekhov modernized, with added jokes and audience interaction, appeals to you.

Don't see it if You are expecting great theater. There are plenty of good ideas, but they don’t create a successful, fully realized piece.

Also The actors are enthusiastic and engaging throughout. Their efforts are not enough to save a pretentious, inconsistent piece. The old fashioned set does not fit the contemporary setting. The audience interaction works at first, but gets repetitive. The play collapses in the second act, particularly in the long, drawn out final half-hour. Still, there are good ideas and moments of brilliant writing. With some serious reworking, and more fidelity to Chekhov’s story, the play could conceivably be successful.... Read more Read less

See it if you're a Chekhov lover! There are great moments (which might've been better served with different direction).

Don't see it if End of play could use some editing. Wish the adaptation had been freer. Less successful than Seafull adaptation but admire the effort!