Uncle Vanya on Broadway Tickets

By: Anton Chekhov, in a new translation by Heidi Schreck
Director: Lila Neugebauer
Producer: Lincoln Center Theater
Cast list: Steve Carell (as Vanya), Jonathan Hadary (as Waffles), William Jackson Harper (as Astrov), Jayne Houdyshell (as Maria), Spencer Donovan Jones (as Neighbor), Mia Katigbak (as Marina), Alfred Molina (as Alexander), Alison Pill (as Sonia), Anika Noni Rose (as Elena)
Design: Mimi Lien
Costumes: Kaye Voyce
Lighting: Lap Chi Chu and Elizabeth Harper
Sound: Mikhail Fiksel and Beth Lake

The Uncle Vanya play centers on the title character and Sonya, his niece. Together, they live on Sonya’s father’s rural farm. However, their peace and isolation break when Sonya’s father and younger wife move in, which causes conflict and tension as they all force each other to confront their lingering desires, haunted pasts, and uncertain futures.

Written by the famous playwright Anton Chekhov, Uncle Vanya is one of his most well-known works. The play premiered in 1899 at the Moscow Arts Theatre to acclaim. Since then, the play received numerous revivals — this production marks the 10th revival of Uncle Vanya on Broadway. Lila Neugebauer, also represented on Broadway this season with Appropriate starring Sarah Paulson, directs.

Previous runs of Uncle Vanya in New York earned numerous honors. The 1974 revival was nominated for three Tony Awards. The 2000 revival, the most recent one until now, received two nominations: Amy Ryan for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play and Tony Walton for Best Scenic Design.

Uncle Vanya also inspired lots of films, including a 2020 filmed performance of the play starring Toby Jones, Aimee Lou Wood, and Richard Armitage in London.

What to watch for

• The original production of Uncle Vanya was supposed to premiere at the Maly Theatre, but when its governing committee asked Chekhov for major revisions, he chose to submit the play to the Moscow Arts Theatre instead.
• Chekhov viewed the play as a comedy, while the original director, Konstantin Stanislavski, viewed it as a tragedy. Nowadays, people often call Uncle Vanya a tragicomedy.
• One of the characters mentions the importance of forest preservation and criticizes forest destruction in the play, making Uncle Vanya one of the first plays to mention environmental issues.
• The show's impressive creative team includes set designer Mimi Lien, who focuses on the interaction between audience and environment in her work. She won a Tony for her set design on Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812.
• Uncle Vanya, like most of Chekhov's plays, is famous for its subtext. The characters often say one thing but mean something else, so watch and listen to the actors closely!
• The Oscar-winning 2021 film Drive My Car features a production of Uncle Vanya, and the film's characters' emotional struggles reflect those of Uncle Vanya's characters.

Please Note

There are uses of flashing lights, darkness, and haze in this production. The use of cameras, cell phones, & other recording devices is strictly prohibited by law, except when used for accessibility services. No weapons permitted on the premises. No outside food or beverages, electric scooters, e-bikes, or battery-powered transportation devices, except when medically necessary. All items are subject to inspection & must fit on your lap or completely under your seat without blocking any aisles.