Bonjour,
We had a wonderful opening weekend for “Uncle Vanya”— our friend Neil LaBute’s adaptation of Chekhov’s renown classic. It was so nice to see so many of you there. Reviews are coming in and they are great. If you haven’t yet made your reservations, make them now. Tickets are going fast!
“WOW!
Neil LaBute gives Anton Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya a more contemporary-sounding tweak in the Tony nominated playwright’s third visit to Santa Monica’s City Garage Theatre, and the result is a Vanya that even Chekhov “non-fans” like this reviewer can enjoy….Director Frédérique Michel and her cast know that to perform Chekhov without humor is to disregard the playwright’s intentions. (Chekhov himself bemoaned the way the Moscow Art Theatre treated them as heavy, tragic dramas.)….Sparkling performances, in particular Dunn’s quicksilver star turn in the title role. (Like Jack Nicholson on the big screen, the City Garage staple manages to make each role spontaneously and distinctively his own, and Vanya is no exception.) Nguyen follows her fierce and fabulous City Garage debut as Antigone with a Sonya so heartbreakingly real, you just want to give the poor girl a much-needed hug while Beyer once again proves herself City Garage’s premier leading lady as the enticing, enigmatic Yelena. Marr does terrific work as the despairing environmentalist drunk that is Dr. Astrov, assistant director Rodebaugh’s droll turn as Telegrin provides comic relief, Kallok rages against the ravages of time as Serebryakov, and Bovee and Fuentes prove that old age doesn’t mean a loss of smarts, no matter that each relies on a walking stick to get around. Chekhov may remain for me an acquired taste that I’m still acquiring, but thanks to Neil LaBute and City Garage, I’m inching closer to being a bona fide fan.” — Steven Stanley, StageScene LA
“City Garage’s current production of Uncle Vanya offers what I most desire in [an adaptation]–a reimagining that feel utterly true yet re-sets how I perceive the play. What a gift, and I thank everyone involved from the depths of my heart!….All this works because the cast, directed by Frederique Michel (honestly this is one of the best things I’ve seen from her) without exception bring all these characters to surprising, bittersweet life.” — David MacDowell Blue, The World Through Night Colored Glasses
“Tragic truths in the spirit of the painfully human and comic…This City Garage production is something to appreciate.” — AccessiblyLiveOffLine
Top Ten! Recommended!
“A worthy addition to the crowded ranks [of recent adaptations], Neil Labute’s updating, now at City Garage, captures the essence of Chekhov’s play without vandalizing it. Known for his in-your-face, often shocking dramas, LaBute may be a theatrical gadfly, but he knows his way around a classic, evidenced not only by this Vanya, but also by his superb adaptation of Antigone, which recently ran at this theater. LaBute conforms to the basic outlines of Chekhov’s play but with subtly contemporaneous language. Director Frédérique Michel, who helmed both Antigone and this Vanya, boldly addresses LaBute’s offering in a smooth, almost dancerly staging that ranges from the reflective to moments of pure slapstick….This production ultimately finds the pulse of Chekhov’s work: the uneasy blend of longing, resentment, and endurance that defines ordinary lives. In the hands of LaBute and Michel, “Vanya” feels less like a museum piece than a living argument about regret, the dawning suspicion that, despite all yearning and self-reflection, nothing will actually happen — an unsettling and tragic realization. — F. Kathleen Foley, Stage Raw
“The ensemble’s commitment is evident from the start. What stands out most is the level of active listening across the board. Every exchange feels lived-in and responsive. Dunn’s Vanya is layered and vulnerable, teetering convincingly on the edge of despair to the point that his existential spiral feels alarmingly real. Beyer’s Yelena meets that vulnerability with restraint and depth. Kallok’s Serebryakov, Nguyen’s Sonya and Taylor Lee Marr’s Astrov — a doctor who visits the estate frequently — deliver grounded, engaging performances that never lose sight of the play’s emotional stakes. And the chemistry among the cast is cohesive and consistent, reinforcing a web of longing and disappointment that drives the story. Director Michel, who is also artistic director of City Garage, approaches the production with a clear understanding that this is a character-driven, dialogue-heavy drama. Her pacing and blocking give the piece a distinct rhythm. Beats land with precision, and scenes move with an almost musical fluidity, gently energizing moments that might otherwise fall flat. Transitions are seamless. The emphasis on actors remaining fully engaged, even in silence, strengthens the tension that lingers between lines….The world of “Uncle Vanya” feels immersive and fully realized….The performances, direction and design come together to form a compelling and thoughtful production. This is a show worth seeing and one I would revisit without hesitation.” — Dondre Tuck, LATheatrix
“Uncle Vanya” by Anton Chekhov
Adapted by Neil LaBute
February 20 – March 29, 2026
Acclaimed playwright Neil LaBute brings a fresh edge to Chekhov’s tragicomic masterpiece about disillusionment, unrequited love, frustrated passion, and the search for meaning. Set in a rural estate at the end of the 19th century, the lives of Vanya, his niece Sonya, the retired Professor Serebryakov and his young wife Yelena intertwine, leading to complex jealousies, romantic rivalries, and emotional breakdowns as they confront their wasted lives and failed dreams. Vanya and Astrov, a local doctor, both fall in love with Yelena, a spoiled, self-centered beauty; Sonya pines hopelessly for the doctor; while the oblivious Professor disrupts everyone’s lives with his egotistical demands. This classic play, rendered here by LaBute in a new, contemporary version, uses deceptively ordinary dialogue to reveal deep human frailties and a poignant, yet hopeful message about how we find the strength to endure life’s struggles.
Q&A, Sunday, March 15, 2026
There will be an informal Q&A with cast and crew after the 4:00pm show, Sunday, March 15th.
The Writers Workshop at City Garage – Spring Session starts March 14th
Are you working on a play and want to hear your words onstage?Join us in the Writers Workshop at City Garage. In-person sessions at City Garage are held twice a year, in the Spring and Fall. Each session runs for eight weeks, meeting every Saturday from 10:00am to Noon (some exceptions for holidays). At the end of the eight weeks the writers present their works-in-progress to an invited audience. Private, one-on-one sessions, are available year-round.
Spring Session: March 14 – May 9, 2026 (No workshop 4.4 for Easter weekend)
Here’s the link for more information and to sign up. Places are limited.
See you at the theatre!
Frédérique
