The summer may not offer very many new breakout shows, but it can be a perfect time to catch up with long-runners that you haven’t seen yet: quality fare from Next Fall to Next to Normal and The Norman Conquests. But for my critic’s picks this week, I’ll limit myself to three first-rate shows that are closing tomorrow (July 11).

If you are a fan of the classics, you must try to see the stunning production of Chekhov’s Ivanov at the Lincoln Center Festival, directed by Tamás Ascher for Budapest’s Katona József Theatre. This is a beautiful piece of work, capturing the sorrow at the heart of Chekhov’s first major piece, but also the chaotic humor—heightened by the hilarious hair and costume choices that go along with Ascher’s relocation of the action to a wittily shabby 1960s Eastern Europe. If it’s new plays you crave, on the other hand, don’t miss David Adjmi’s Stunning at the Duke on 42nd Street. We interviewed the playwright here and reviewed his work here; in addition to the quality of the script, the production boasts a very striking set by David Korins and remarkable performances by Cristin Milioti, Jeanine Serralles and others. Finally, if you’re just in the mood for a silly lark, you could do much worse than to check out the Umbilical Brothers’ Speedmouse at the Joyce Theater in Chelsea, which we reviewed this week. As Australian whackery goes, it’s a good deal more palatable than Puppetry of the Penis.

Yeah, okay Upstagers: I know you’re sick of hearing about Ariane Mnouchkine/Le Théâtre du Soleil/Les Éphémères, but guess what? It’s the summer, it’s slow, and this is International Event Theater. Just posted my TONY review here. My review for NY1’s On Stage is here. I know it’s not cheap—$75 is the lowest ticket price for one of the two plays that it consists of—but Les Éphémères is worth your time. Seven hours of it. Did my ass hurt from the hard wooden benches? Yes. Was I fidgeting at the three-hour mark? Yes. Was I also awed by the craft and meticulous beauty of the whole event? Resounding yes. Get your tickets.

Everybody excited about the holiday weekend? Looking forward to the fireworks? Well, you can enjoy fireworks indoors, too…metaphorically speaking. Here are my top three picks, shows that you really should go see if you haven’t already.

Stunning. Last month, I previewed David Adjmi’s funny, disturbing, touching, smart new play for TONY, and I reviewed it recently on NY1. It’s only playing for two more weekends, so get on it! At $20, it’s the best deal in town: a terrific ensemble and David Korin’s scary-chic set.

Twelfth Night. Given the nearly universal praise for Daniel Sullivan’s bittersweetly comic production and the perfect cast, there’s bound to be a long wait for free tickets. But that shouldn’t stop you. Even though, ugh, it’s raining again.

Waiting for Godot. This really lovely revival of the Beckett classic closes Sunday. Nathan Lane and Bill Irwin make a great existential couple and John Goodman and John Glover give them a run for their money as Pozzo and Lucky. Beckett purists may scoff—a sign that it’s worth your time.