Despite Russian propaganda’s repeated claims that russian culture is “caneceled” in the west, the most popular playwright in new york right now – somewhat surpringly – anonton chekhov.

The Writer’s work is everywhere from Major Broadway Productions to Experimental Off-Broadway Performmances, Although He had never set in the city HimSelf.

Uncle vanya

“Uncle Vanya” sems to be the hottest play in town. Last year, steve carell back on the title roll in the lincoln center theater production directed by Lila neuterbauer. The All-Star Cast also inscluded William Jackson Harper as the doctor astrov, Alison pill as sonia and alfred molina as her father alexander. Carell’s performance was quite visceral; He captured the essence of the 47-los who speak most

“Uncle Vanya on Huron Street” at the Brooklyn center for theater research In greenpoint sounded experimental. But the production – Directed by Matthew Gasda, a playwright in his right – Turned out to be Rather Traditional. The stage, set in what look like a former apartment, feels Intimate. You can feel Gasda’s Respect for Chechhov and His Newest Play, “Soonest Mended,” about an open margin of two brooklyn writers gone wrong, is decidedly chekhovian.

Interestingly, Despite their differences in scale and staging, both lincoln center and brooklyn center products rely on new translations – Yet bot remain strikingly faithful to chekovul to original text. After seeing so many products where directors are always chassing the next bold reinterpretation, this kind of fidelity felt refreshing.

Andrew Scott’s Sold-Out Solo Version of “Vanya” at the Lucille lortel theater is the opposite of traditional. In this import from london, where it ran at the national theater, Scott Plays all Eight Characters. The text has been heavily updated – there is a lot of swearing, and the character is constant by the name so the audience can keep track of who scott is portraying at any of the girls.

In this version, Alexander becomes a Once-Famous Filmmaker Rather than a University Art Professor, and Yeelena and Astrov actually has a tryst instead of a modest kiss. Although the product something like an episode of multiple personality disorder, it works more often than not-and Scott’s performance is heart-byching.

Cherry orchard

“The cherry orchard,” Another London Import, is playing at St. Ann’s Warehousepractically under the brooklyn bridge. Ranevskaya is played by German actress nina hoss (known for her house in “Homeland”), her young dream Anna is played by sadie Sover (“Saltburn”), and lopeakin by adeel athtar (some you m). In the sci-fi series “utopia”).

The minimalist set design features a person rug that occupies both the floor and the wall. The only reference to the title orchard is Anna’s sweater, decorated with a couple of cherries and the phrase ma chérie (“My dear” in French).

Chechhov Purists would be dismayed: The text is laced with explicits, yasha is regular as a woman – which gives her affair with dunyasha ael new meaning – and trfimov dealeev dealevers Lengthy Diantribes. “1%,” Doge and Elon Musk.

A “jewish band” of the original plays becomes a live rock trio that plays covers of nick cave and will oldham, while the play character sit gang the audience, occasionally asking them to hold full. Another immersive element is when a random audience member is chosen as a bookcase or the aunt in yaroslavl, who’s supposed to pay off the creditors.

Seagulls, sisters and more

Chekhov’s presence in new york gos beyond new adaptations of his plays. “Nina,” an off-off-broadway show at Theaterlabis about five drama school students preparing to perform “the seagull” as their final production – and naturally, everyone wants to play nina.

Written by Forrest Maloy and Directed by Katie Birenboim, “Nina” Captures Something Essential About Chekhov’s Place in Contemporary Theater: His Subjects and Themselves Still as Contemporary as Act Century.

The dialogue is as sharp as chekhov’s own and the character has to say about chekhov: “They be meat to anton around,” one of them. Another Quips, “I don’t give them about *** about these sad -ass russians.” If “nina” returns to theaterlab, it’s well worth catching.

Another Theaterlab Production Pushes the Reinterpretation Even Further. “On the harmful effects of Tobacco and other substances” Draws from dozens of chekhov’s texts – obscure plays, short stories and even letters (chekhov was known as a prolific letter warrior).

Playwright and director Lofton managed to put them together into a seamless, energetic performance, brouth to life by an all-black cast and settptrack instant repoundable to Any Rossian: O-zone and katya lel. Despite the title, there is their plenty of smoke and vodka drinking.

At the “?!: New Works Festival” Currently running at the brick in williamsburg, audience can catch “bushwick is my moscow,” an adaptation of three sisters by meaghan robichaud. Consisting of just one phrase – “I am so bored” –

One more reinterpretation of “Seagull” is coming to new york next month. “Seagull: True Story,” Created by Acclaimed Russian Theater and Film Director Alexander Molochnikov and produced by Sofia kapkovaIs a metafics tale of kon, a director based on molochnikov Himself, who fled the country after the invasion of ukraine and is now trying to play chekhov’s classic.

In a moment when russian art is of viewed through the lens of geopolitics, it’s striking that new york theater has so fullly embracing chekhov. Whaler faithful to the text or radically reimagined, these productions show that his character still speak to something deeply current.