Junk NYC Reviews and Tickets

77%

(449 Ratings)

Positive

83%

Mixed

14%

Negative

Members say

Great acting, Absorbing, Intelligent, Relevant, Great staging

About the Show

Lincoln Center Theater presents Pulitzer Prize-winner Ayad Akhtar's new drama about an '80s junk bond king out to change the rules of the financial world. Starring Steven Pasquale as Robert Merkin.

It’s 1985. Robert Merkin, the resident genius of the upstart investment firm Sacker Lowell, has just landed on the cover of "Time Magazine." Hailed as "America's Alchemist," his proclamation that "debt is an asset" has propelled him to dizzying heights. Zealously promoting his belief in the near-sacred infallibility of markets, he is trying to re-shape the world. What Merkin sets in motion is nothing less than a financial civil war, pitting magnates against workers, lawyers against journalists, and, ultimately, everyone against themselves. Set over 30 years ago, this is a play about how, while most of us weren't watching, money became the only thing of real value. Directed by Tony Award winner Doug Hughes.

Show-Score Member Reviews (449)

Absorbing, Great acting

See it if you like serious plays about high finance. The well paced show moves along and never drags. An incite into junk bond manipulation.

Don't see it if you don't like shows about corporate finance or you are looking for a funny play.

Absorbing, Great acting, Great staging, Great writing, Relevant

See it if you enjoy a high powered drama about a high powered industry. Wonderful acting and set.

Don't see it if you like light comedy. There is humor but the events are serious. You don't need to know about the financial world to enjoy this drama.

Clever, Entertaining, Intelligent, Riveting, Absorbing

See it if The return of an excellent play which I first saw in London at the National.Still relevant in light of the current administration.

Don't see it if Do not see if you prefer musicals or dislike politically involved plays. Probably not a good play if you lost during the Junk bond crash.

Absorbing, Entertaining, Intelligent, Relevant, Thought-provoking

See it if You're into the subject matter (finance and ethics) and don't think the Michael Lewis movies said it all.

Don't see it if You are expecting a traditional set or startlingly new ground. It's entertaining and the dialogue is sharp.

Ambitious, Great acting, Great staging, Riveting

See it if you are interested in seeing a financial drama. I was worried that I would be confused, but the writing explains it all! & A+ for Pasquale

Don't see it if you're looking for something light, this is not the show for you. You need to be able to pay close attention to this one!

Clever, Great staging, Intelligent, Ambitious, Intense

See it if you like a show that focuses on the stock market in the 80's. Fast paced rich in detail, well acted and Stephen Pasquale is amazing.

Don't see it if your mind blurs whenever anyone talks to you about their investments.

Intelligent, Relevant, Thought-provoking, Great acting, Ambitious

See it if you enjoy an intelligent script, superior acting, but asks the audience to pay attention and have to "think". Not light and fluffy.

Don't see it if you don't want to have to think about a play, or want a play with a clear protagonist and antagonist. There really is no one to root for. Read more

Clever, Great writing, Relevant, Thought-provoking, Slow

See it if You are interested in passed versions of greed in financial markets that rings true today. A crash course in the 1980s junk bond fiasco.

Don't see it if You avoid long plays mulling topics like corporate take-overs, capital markets and masters of the universe.

Critic Reviews (51)

Trailer

Creative team

Lincoln Center Theater