The Real Ivanov (off-broadway)

This strictly limited engagement will run through September 19, 2026, at the Lynn F. Angelson Theater.

Opens 8/25/26

Updated On: 8/24/26 at 02:54 PM

I am quite the Chekhov fanatic but have never found Ivanov particularly appealing. Very curious about this. But I will admit I am saving my ticket purchase until reviews come out...

It’s on TDF. I’ve been interested in it too

Ensemble1722365202 said: "Saw it last Saturday and I thought it was entirely forgettable. Sam Underwood was the best part.

Wish I caught the New American Ensemble's IVANOV earlier this year, as I heard great things."

Can concur; it’s completely lifeless with some, frankly, embarrassing directing and acting going on. The actors who may have been capable in another production are entirely at sea.

Concur x3. It was like a group of people with ADHD wandering around looking for their Adderall that also exist on 5 different planets. The fuq?

Updated On: 8/28/26 at 01:42 AM

ClydeBarrow said: "Some of the worst acting I’ve ever seen on a stage. Some of the worst and most perplexing direction. The final scene takes place on a diagonal strip of carpet that none can seem to get off of making for interactions I assume the director thought would be funny but was painful to watch. This is by no stretch of the imagination a comedy because there’s nothing funny nor jokes."

In a night of baffling choices, this was perhaps the most bizarre. Where were they? At first I thought it was the church aisle for the wedding, but then they kept taking about how they needed to get to the church. Why couldn’t they step off the carpet? Where in the physical world of this play could they have been where this would be possible? Why was it played like a farce when nothing preceding it even had the hint of humor? Just so strange!

TheQuibbler said: "ClydeBarrow said: "Some of the worst acting I’ve ever seen on a stage. Some of the worst and most perplexing direction. The final scene takes place on a diagonal strip of carpet that none can seem to get off of making for interactions I assume the director thought would be funny but was painful to watch. This is by no stretch of the imagination a comedy because there’s nothing funny nor jokes."

In a night of baffling choices, this was perhaps the most bizarre. Where were they? At first I thought it was the church aisle for the wedding, but then they kept taking about how they needed to get to the church. Why couldn’t they step off the carpet? Where in the physical world of this play could they have been where this would be possible? Why was it played like a farce when nothing preceding it even had the hint of humor? Just so strange!"

Glad to see I wasn't the only one baffled by that staging.

Kad said: "How was a production like this able to get Hillary Clinton to attend…?"

She knew the woman who directed and adapted it. The promos on social media were so misleading. They had Sam Underwood running around New York with sparkly eyes and a smile on his face like his character was going to be extremely charming and amusing. I knew it was bad after the first 10 minutes and to top it off, the theater felt like a meat locker. Maybe they were trying to keep me awake. I must say I do like that particular off broadway theatre. The lobby is quaint and the theater space is full of possibilities. The moral is, however, don’t buy a ticket until you have at least heard some word-of-mouth.

Updated On: 8/30/26 at 02:02 AM