Lady With a Lapdog, With Jokes and a Happy Ending

See it if you like physical comedy (there's a lot), singing (of various quality), and sketches. Perf lasted 2 hrs w/no intermission. Needs cuts.

Don't see it if you want a story arc or a flawless ensemble (some excellent actors, some not). Clever staging, set. Drawn out scenes. Overall enjoyable.

See it if Variety of cute slice-of-life vignettes. Physical comedy. Some music/dance. Entertaining and well-performed. Some bits funnier than others

Don't see it if You're looking for something more intense or profound. You don't enjoy physical comedy.

See it if You want a modern take on Chekhov's short stories performed by a well-trained classical cast. You enjoy 19th-century writings.

Don't see it if You prefer a more traditional interpretation of Chekhov. You want a contemporary play.

See it if beautifully produced, cleverly woven tales presented in good performances interest you. There is a marvelous vaudeville turn toward the end

Don't see it if you want a strong plot. These are short stories woven together with musical interludes that tend to slow down rather than enhance the show

See it if love the shorts, Chekhov stories to me are sad. This has happy and funny moments.

Don't see it if If you want the Chekhov sad ending. If you don't like that timeline. No intermission 90 Mins.

See it if You are or are not familiar with short stories of Anton Chekhov. You want to laugh and see a delightful and entertaining show.

Don't see it if You need a serious story line. You are not looking for a fun night out. You don't want to laugh.

Also I didn't know what to expect because I am not familiar with the works of Chekhov but I had a fun time at this show. The costumes were cute. The stories were short and entertaining. The staging was very creative. The cast looked like they were having fun and I was as well. I chuckled quite a bit. If you are looking for a serious drama filled performance this is not for you. There was not a lot of singing but when there was it was very enjoyable.... Read more Read less

See it if You have yet to see this Upper Westside gem! And hurry. It closes 8/31. The best Off-Off directing I’ve seen in a long time. The actors sing

Don't see it if There are many stairs and no elevator. The ac is weak. The acting does not live up to the directing. 90min. no intermission.

Also dance, play musical instruments, and dazzle with their smiles. The set, a pier in Yalta in the 20th century is beautiful. Built to accommodate 10 Chekhov short stories it frames all of them with moving pieces. Adapted and directed by Aleskey Burago, and beautifully costumed as well, it is certainly worth your time.... Read more Read less

See it if You like short funny stories performed by small international group of talented actors, and have some knowledge about Tcheckov.

Don't see it if You prefer traditional interpretation of classic stories and dislike to be in the small theater which looks like it needs immediate repair

See it if Add points if a Chekhov aficionado, you would enjoy a lite evening away from today's conflicts and cares

Don't see it if I found it somewhat choppy so if you prefer a straight lined story or more drama this might not be to your tastes.

See it if you want to see or support an admirable troupe that often converts prose into plays and/or are interested in Chekhov's sensibility.

Don't see it if seeing a not entirely coherent and well-integrated presentation of several stories will leave you disappointed or frustrated.

Also I like this little company and have seen several of their productions. While I admire the talent and ambitious effort to mount this production, in the end, I don't think the creators succeeded--notwithstanding the production's humor and occasional charm--in making the stories flow and weave in and out of Lady with a Lapdog so that the viewer leaves satisfied by the payoff.... Read more Read less

See it if You like creative use of space, tight ensemble casts. You don’t need to know Chekhov to enjoy this

Don't see it if You need linear storylines, aren’t a fan of physical comedy, need a straight-ahead, traditional play.

See it if you're looking for light entertainment, especially strong physical comedy.

Don't see it if you want a serious presentation of Chekhov.

Also Charming little show. The two romantic leads do an elegant job with the title story; they're encircled by the rest of the cast doing humorous sketches, songs, and dance numbers, giving this production the feel of a vintage variety show. The cast includes a couple of very good actors, a few gifted physical comedians who really push the envelope, a vibrant dancer, and a pianist; all play to their strengths. Staging is simple and evocative, with some pretty effects. Significant number of Russians in the audience adds to the atmosphere. Drawbacks: set design (a pier) sometimes blocks the action, some singing is off-key, and I would prefer a more realistic-looking dog. Title is clunky.... Read more Read less

See it if This is a winning group of international artists helmed by a director whose knowledge of Chekhov is deeper than any others based here.

Don't see it if This is Chekhov done big and broad, which cuts against what most of us are used to.

See it if you want an evening of light comedy, sometimes slapstick, based on Anton Chekhov's short stories

Don't see it if you are looking for a serious play that never gets silly or light hearted.

See it if you would like to see an excellent cast in a funny and delightfully entertaining production of some of Chekhov's short stories.

Don't see it if you don't like Russian theatre/would prefer a more traditional story line.

Also This was a delightful production: light and funny--at times (such as the dentist sketch) laugh-out-loud. The cast were excellent actors and singers; the direction excellent. A very entertaining production.... Read more Read less

See it if You love Chekhov's writings and would like to see a play based on a number of his short works.

Don't see it if You are looking for an elaborate musical or a linear play where the acts follow some discernible progression.

See it if You enjoy an entertaining musical with vignettes of life in imperial Russia. Great acting, singing and dancing.

Don't see it if You don't enjoy light entertainment.

See it if you enjoy an ensemble cast morphing into several of Chekhov's short stories. There is a mix of comedy, drama, romance as well as the absurd.

Don't see it if you prefer to see a show with a linear plot. The staging is minimal but there are lots of costume changes to fit the storylines.

Also The Russian ethos is evident although some of the songs are modern. Amy Winehouse's "Back to Black" is one.... Read more Read less

See it if You love chekhov or have never met Chekhov and are curious; if you love period acting and immediate, whimsical humor, like strong acting

Don't see it if You don't like Chekhov or aren't interested in the 19th century, don't like vivid staging or immediate acting that takes you away!

Also This is simply marvelous! Having never seen the Russian Theater, this was a wonderful introduction. They thoroughly captured the feel of Chekhov, the era, the style and the whimsical humor! His short stories came alive under this wonderful director and acting troop! The staging is marvelous and incredibly inventive and the immediacy of the production is delightful! You not only "saw" Chekhov, you felt you were there, in his world! Don't miss this!!... Read more Read less

See it if you're familiar with Chekhov's short stories and want to see a quirky and inventive take on them

Don't see it if you're not a fan of silly or slapstick humor or prefer a more linear plot

See it if Like a very creative team of artist exploring different techniques of acting and staging. A surprising fany show

Don't see it if See it. You won't regret. You will love it.

See it if You like mentally challenging plays

Don't see it if You don’t like Shakespeare

See it if You like Chekhov presented with a few new twists.

Don't see it if You are a Chekhov purist or don't like less-than-stellar musical performances.

Also A quirky script puts a new spin on several stories, weaving them together in some fun ways. The set and lighting design are lovely and inventive, but the sound and music design is distractingly terrible. The musical numbers are pretty excruciating.... Read more Read less

See it if You have a deep love for Chekhov

Don't see it if You don’t know much of checkhov’s work, you want to see fully developed characters with an arc you can follow.

See it if you like chekov under any circumstances

Don't see it if if you like plays that are not fragmented; in spots amateurish. very few funny moments the high rated reviews leave me baffled.