'The Real Ivanov' Off-Broadway review — Chekhov’s classic gets a thrilling update
8 / 10
With a slew of characters and not much historical context given within the dialogue of the play, some of the relationships and the goings-on may be hard to keep up with. But what’s most striking about The Real Ivanov is how modern these relationships sound and feel (19th-century bigotry, and excellent 19th-century costuming by Ella Mazta, notwithstanding). Director Strausfeld and a strong cast make this adaptation feel alive, dangerous, and ripe for discussion.
