A Simple Art NYC Reviews and Tickets
Member Reviews (25)
See it if experimental theater that breaks down the usual concept of performance interests you.
Don't see it if if you expect a story to be acted. This is read from documentation. Inexplicable activities like making toast & playing LPs occupy the cast
See it if a tale worth telling. clever use of props etc. free toast and coffee all 3 actors a credit to interpretative acting
Don't see it if some repetition. maybe more songs etc of the times.... but these are minor
See it if You like plays based on real events. You enjoy multi-perspective storytelling. You want to support an experimental theatre company.
Don't see it if You want a clear narrative story arc. You don't like meta elements. You don't like stylized acting. Read more
See it if want experimental storytelling with meandering details of the murder of a priest told by 3 member cast playing all characters +free coffee
Don't see it if you hate experimental theater, being offered coffee & toast, using your imagination, want to see action rather than being told about it
See it if You enjoy sophomoric theatre that seems to last for hours but only an hour and 10 minutes minutes...you need a snooze
Don't see it if If there's something good on TV like LEAVE IT TO BEAVER
See it if You are not distracted by drab house, no staging, untrained youth delivering a mesmerizing, beautifully integrated tale.
Don't see it if you are not interested in a recreation of a murder filtered through the vision of one who knew the victim and whose life was changed. Read more
See it if you enjoy very personal true crime stories and you're open to documentary style storytelling in which the 4th wall does not exist.
Don't see it if you're expecting traditional storytelling; you're sensitive to depictions of violence & police mishandling resulting in tragic consequences. Read more
See it if you like unusual presentations, audience interactivity or are interested in fringe original work.
Don't see it if you prefer traditional theater and a logical sequential storyline.
Critic Reviews (3)
“Audience members shouldn’t expect the safety of a fourth wall and a clear-cut Aristotelian narrative. Instead, this is a piece where Neos do what Neos do best: keep you alert with their thought and movement deviations; effortlessly incorporate intersecting perspectives; make you cry, think and laugh all with the same thought; and always leave you wanting more. There are no accidents on this stage. This is clearly a studied piece, the fruit of labor, but it can get confusing. Embrace it.”
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“The New York Neo-Futurists' gem of a small piece, ‘A Simple Art,’ explores the death of a small-town priest to tell the world how stories affect us all. The excellent three-person ensemble uses recordings, music, documentary styles, maps and emotions to lay out the story of Father Eric's murder. Then they use that story to reach the humanity and shared emotions of us all in a touching, humorous and charming way.”
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"This kind of story is where the Neos’ mastery of theatrical experimentation shines...One of the greatest strengths of the piece is how it manages to incorporate all three performers, and stretch the scope of impact and influence outside of the immediate story. And yet I found myself wanting to know more...All in all, I found 'A Simple Art' to be engaging, creative, and thought-provoking, and I am left feeling like true crime theatre is something I would love to see more often."
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