news | Thursday September 10, 2026

Dear Chekhov Is Here!

The latest play by the iconic Michel Tremblay is here! Familial bonds and tensions are on glorious display over a Thanksgiving dinner in Dear Chekhov, translated into English by Linda Gaboriau. An aging playwright re-examines an old, unfinished script that pays tribute to the great Anton Chekhov. And then there is Benoît, the author-brother, who settles his accounts with a detestable young critic, the current flame of their sister. This Great Actress has given her career a boost by working with a trendy millennial director, trashing Chekhov – and their mother’s memory in the process.

An excerpt from Dear Chekhov:

“GISÈLE
Please, don’t start fighting before we even sit down to dinner.

LAURENT
Why not? Will it be more acceptable once we’re facing our raw turkey?

GISÈLE
That’s not what I meant.

LAURENT
(to GISÈLE) That seems to be your refrain tonight.

CHRISTIAN
If I’d known my presence would be such a problem –

BENOIT
No kidding …

CLAIRE
Anyway, I’m not eating outside …

GISÈLE
Well, you can eat in the house all alone. With your critic.

CLAIRE
Fine, the two of us will eat inside … nice and warm while you all freeze.

CLAIRE walks over to the table, takes a glass of tomato juice, drinks it in one shot, and bangs the glass back onto the table.

Now there’ll be two empty glasses. Maman would’ve killed me, but I was thirsty.

JEAN-MARC

Benoit should say something.

BENOIT
So you’re allowed, but not Laurent?

CLAIRE
I’m at home here.”

Delve into the deliciously dramatic holiday of this erudite clan, clashing over passionate, varied opinions about the intersections of art, authenticity, and career (and maybe a little personal history, too). Simultaneously, enjoy the inner workings of a playwright in the vicious process of revising. Order your copy here.