Life Sucks. NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (322)
See it if you'd enjoy a clever comedic romp that's both a parody of & love song to Chekhov. It's thoroughly enjoyable even if you don't know his work.
Don't see it if you are a Chekhov purist and/or you need your fourth wall kept intact. Read more
See it if If you like great acting and very goo d writing. The audience loved it. As did my husband and I. A quirky and touching Uncle Vanya.
Don't see it if If you don't like comedy. and cleverness.
See it if you dig incredible actors in a small house with beautiful design breaking the 4th wall and seeking the audience input. Dark but fun.
Don't see it if you don't like cursing, can't appreciate contemporized work, hate depressed characters, or detest not much plot or resolution.
See it if you appreciate plays that slyly draw you in to listen to not always pleasant soul-searching and angst. It made Chekhov so relevant to today.
Don't see it if can't lean in and listen. There's lots of humor, but it's not a comedy. The audience interaction bits were really well-handled by the cast.
See it if you want to see a well written updated version of Uncle Vanya set in present time America. The cast interacts with audience in a fun way.
Don't see it if if you hate it when actors in an improv sense asks the audience questions and expect answers. This updated version takes lots of liberties.
See it if You like provocative meta takes on Chekov and plays that address love and life's meaning
Don't see it if You don't like (minimal) audience addresses or self-referential pieces
See it if You want to see a truly inspired take on Uncle Vanya. Great writing/acting/set/lighting/costumes and direction. Even moments of improv work.
Don't see it if You’re a purist. This is not your classic Uncle Vanya. They break the fourth wall. I think it works beautifully but it is quirky. Read more
See it if You like Chekhov or any classic Russian playwright. You'd like to see "Uncle Vanya" in a new light.
Don't see it if You prefer action thrillers or musicals. Read more
Critic Reviews (18)
“Despite some new, deliciously playful touches, the whip-smart play surprisingly tracks the underlying work faithfully...The brash ‘Life Sucks’ endearingly wears its heart on its sleeve, unlocking the well-worn play for today’s audiences in a way that’s both accessible and authentically wise...I’ve never seen Chekhov more entertaining, thanks in large part to a truly stellar cast...There’s a certain uncanny truthfulness to the acting...Resulting in a kind of alchemy that can only occur in the theater.”
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"Despite the talent assembled on stage, and some funny, well-timed zingers, what we’re largely presented with is cynical, expletive-laden speechifying about how human relationships are difficult and desire can be frustrating...The result is crude and superficially clever, and ultimately quite empty...At times the play seems to be flirting with farce, at other times satire, but it never entirely commits. The play mistakes cynicism for wit, and vulgarity for irreverence."
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