Lady With a Lapdog, With Jokes and a Happy Ending NYC Reviews and Tickets

88%

(73 Reviews)

Positive

92%

Mixed

Negative

Members say

Funny, Great acting, Entertaining, Great staging, Delightful

About the Show

The Russian Arts Theater and Studio invites you to take a trip to the summer resort of Yalta in this new play based on the short stories of Anton Chekhov.

While vacationing alone in the Crimean sea resort of Yalta, a Moscow playboy quickly finds himself having another affair—this time with a married woman who wanders along the shore with her pet dog. However, their lives are soon uprooted as they realize they have found true love. Interwoven around their romance are ten of Chekhov’s most colorful anecdotes, including 'Fish, Death of a Government Clerk,' 'Confessions,' 'A Chorus Girl,' 'Overspiced,' 'A Little Joke,' 'Daughter of Albion,' 'Surgery,' 'Elements Most Found in Short Stories,' 'A Happy Ending and Life is Beautiful.' Join the cast of nine colorful characters as they fumble through love, loss, and the beautiful absurdity of life.

Member Reviews (73)

Ambitious, Well staged, Choppy/uneven, Long, Absorbing

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.

Enchanting, Delightful, Refreshing, Romantic, Funny

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.

Clever, Great staging, Slow, Funny, Entertaining

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

Absorbing, Entertaining, Funny, Great acting, Great staging

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.

Delightful, Entertaining, Clever, Quirky, Refreshing

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.

Great acting, Great singing, Great writing, Great staging, Funny

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. Read more

Delightful, Entertaining, Great acting, Romantic

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

Great staging, Entertaining, Delightful

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. Read more

Critic Reviews (2)

For a previous production

"An evening of amusing sketches...Chekhov’s short stories, which seemed funny and naïve when I read them as a child, appear in a new light after Burago's risky staging, with the help of the beautifully nuanced performances of the entire cast...Some trimming around the edges would only make the point clearer. But even in the current production, Chekhov’s wit is handled with care and great skill. This is something not to be missed!"
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For a previous production

"A deeply funny love song. A masterclass in guiding extremely talented actors into a work of art no one should miss...It is a masterpiece created by an important artist of our generation...Conducting this work is the profound director, Aleksey Burago. Like any great artist, his ideas are to be wrestled with...If you believe in theatre as art, then 'Lady' is a must-see. Do not miss your chance to witness this important work."
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