Uncle Vanya at Castle Clinton National Monument

Lower Manhattan’s Shakespeare Downtown celebrates its 10th season of free performances of “Uncle Vanya” - Anton Chekhov’s timeless tragicomedy of longing, frustration, and fading dreams, performed within the open-air stone walls of Castle Clinton National Monument June 11–21, 2026. Free tickets are available at the door beginning at 5:45pm on the day of each 6:30pm performance. Directed and translated by Geoffrey Horne.

In “Uncle Vanya” love, regret, and the quiet ache of unrealized lives simmers beneath the surface of a crumbling 1800s Russian country estate. As a family and their restless visitors collide over long-held frustrations and unexpected passions, this timeless masterwork unfolds with dark humor and piercing heartbreak.

Featuring Billie Andersson (Yelena Andreevna Serebryakova), Karl Bateman (Ilya Ilyich Telegin), Narque Cyriaque (Yefim/Hired Man), Timothy Nolan (Aleksandr Vladimirovich Serebryakov), Evan Olson (Ivan Petrovich Voynitsky "Vanya"), Elizabeth Ruf (Maria Vasilyevna Voynitskaya), Scarlett Strasberg (Sofya Alexandrovna Serebryakova "Sonya"), Juan Pablo Toro (Mikhail Lvovich Astrov), and Chantal Van Zyl (Marina Timofeevna).

Set & Costume Design: Amy Goossens
Lighting Design: G. Scott Designs, Inc.
Sound Design: Carlos Ponce
Production Stage Manager: Chantal Van Zyl

Running Time 120 minutes, no intermission