Life Sucks

Madison-born playwright Aaron Posner re-worked Russian master Anton Chekhov’s 1898 play Uncle Vanya into his contemporary version, Life Sucks. Produced by Forward Theater Company and directed by Jennifer Uphoff Gray, the play tosses together seven characters with different social ties to each other, exploring their approaches to love and life’s inevitable disappointments. Through April 14.

3/28-4/14, Overture Center-Playhouse, at 7:30 pm Wednesdays-Saturdays and 2 pm Sundays, plus 2 pm on 4/6 & 13. $49-$20.

press release: In this bold and funny reworking of Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya, a group of old friends, ex-lovers, estranged in-laws, and lifelong enemies lurches between love and lust, laughter and longing, and the many ways in which life does, and doesn’t … suck.

Both brash and warm-hearted, Madison native Aaron Posner’s romp of a play reminds its seven hapless characters—and us—that to feel deeply is the price of a life well-lived.

Cast: Brian Mani, Sarah Day, William Bolz, Reese Madigan, Marcella Kearns, Elyse Edelman, Rana Roman

Pre-show talkbacks will be held at 6:30 pm Thursdays and 1 pm Sundays.

Forward Theater is excited to offer a talk with Life Sucks playwright Aaron Posner, as he discusses his career in directing and playwriting, including his journey in creating modern adaptations of various Chekhov classics. The talk is free and open to the public. It will be held on Saturday, March 30, at 1:00pm in the Playhouse at Overture Center.