Babel

See it if You have an open mind, love dance & movement, can accept theatrical events on their own terms, great music no dialogue but much joy & warmth

Don't see it if You dislike modern dance or a work in progress expect a linear plot-driven event or a dance group with a cohesive look rather than diversity

Also Babel is a unique theatrical work in progress, which has been developed over three years by a core group that continues to change and grow.

Against an original, gorgeous quiet score, 23 performers — dancers, actor-dancers, acrobats — engage in a work that explores language, communication, the natural struggle to communicate and, in the end, what it means to be human.

Casting actors that move as well as dancers creates an organic ensemble that gives the whole a touching depth and heft. Real bodies in real space in the here and now, touching, running, lifting, supporting, climbing, standing together and aloft. There's much joy here, as well as pathos, identification and empathy, much of it hitting home over its seven scenes.

It weakest link at this point is the newly inserted improvisational duets which, though some are really fine, is too long a segment. In all though, taken on its terms, Babel is a fresh and innovative work that should be supported, seen and encouraged.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy Modern Dance and it helps if you know the story of the Tower of Babel.

Don't see it if If you don't enjoy Modern Dance or pure dance theater.

See it if You want to see dance. The performers are doing a great job using the movements of their bodies to tell an ancient story.

Don't see it if You wants dialogues, you don't want to think about what is going on.

See it if You enjoy modern dance, stories that can relate to today's political and environmental climate

Don't see it if You want a script, or a show that you don't have to think about the meaning of movements

See it if You want to see amazing bodies in motion. You want to see something different. You like acrobatic type performances and no dialogue.

Don't see it if You need elaborate staging. You don't like acrobatic performances and don't want to be amazed by what they can do with their bodies.

Also This was very different but if you know about the tower of babel you will get it. the movements were very intense and amazing. The music was great and fitting to the performance. The performers did a great job. If you need to hear dialogue at a play then this might not be for you but if you want to see an amazing performance then go see it.... Read more Read less

See it if You appreciate seeing an ensemble cast lift one another up!

Don't see it if You have no patience for dance or movement theatre and prefer dialogue to drive a story forward.

See it if You enjoy interpretative dance, don't need words to follow a plot and enjoy instrumental pieces.

Don't see it if You dont enjoy dance performances with no dialogue and music without lyrics.

See it if Well-staged & choreographed modern dance. Some large group scenes, some intimate two-person.

Don't see it if Modern dance isn't your thing? Honestly it's pretty enjoyable.

See it if What to see relevant story-telling dance/movement. The piece itself is very timely and well-crafted.

Don't see it if Expect a show with dialogue or song.

See it if You are interested in physical theater. This is the best piece of movement performance I've ever seen. Really touching. I was impressed!!

Don't see it if You want to see actual "story". There is a story but it's more than that.

See it if You enjoy interpretive dance. I found the show to be entertaining. It was relaxing to watch acrobatic interpretive dance.

Don't see it if Do not like Interpretive performances. There is no talking just watching.

Also My 12 daughter also enjoyed it. It kept your attention

See it if You appreciate performance art, contact improv, wordless storytelling.

Don't see it if You have a short attention span or if contemporary movement isn't your thing.

See it if You are interested in theater without language. It's captivating.

Don't see it if You're going to laugh the entire time. It's strange worth letting go.

See it if You're up for something thought provokingly different!

Don't see it if You don't like anything out of the norm!

See it if you enjoy new interdisciplinary theatre experiences, and if your letters to Santa as a kid always included asking for world peace.

Don't see it if you prefer your plays with words.

See it if You are a thinker and like physical theatre with interesting movement and

Don't see it if you like commercial theatre with linear ideas and text.

See it if open minded

Don't see it if don't like dance movements..

See it if As this was dance, not a play, criteria for judging is different. Was emotionally connected-not purely the body devoid of facial expression~

Don't see it if You're looking for something spoken, w/a strong narrative or short. Needed editing, but you had to appreciate the obvious years of effort.

See it if you have a close friend or family member who is in the cast and you want to give them your support.

Don't see it if you are expecting a professional acrobatic dance group (like something you would see at the Joyce Theater or Lincoln Center).

Also There was a short discussion after the show where many people made comments that highly praised the performance (although I think many were friends or related to someone in the show).

On the plus side, the concept and the costumes were clever. It was not until the end that it became apparent that the color scheme defined half the group - a nice subtle touch. The story was clearly told, i.e., each person was speaking a different language and they had to find something in common.

I don't think everyone in the cast had the acrobatic dance skills needed to pull this off. When they started pairing off, it worked to tell the story - but it was became too long, repetitive, and contrived when they all paired off, two at a time.

I found the opening to be repetitive as well - where one person in a pair would adjust the body position of the other. Maybe it would be ok if this was just done two or three times, but it went on and on.... Read more Read less

See it if You like acro yoga meets interpretive dance as performed by well trained amateurs.

Don't see it if You dislike productions which are often too slow to be interesting

See it if You enjoy interpretative acrobatic dance

Don't see it if You only want to see a play with dialogue or dislike acrobatic dance

See it if you'd like to see a wordless acrobatic dance/performance art piece; dancers of all shapes & sizes; powerful, classic, universal themes

Don't see it if you don't like 'modern' dance with dystonic music; have PTSD, especially if viewing imagery recalling 9/11; expect traditional dancers

See it if You like original work. You want something new and exciting.

Don't see it if You want lots of dialogue, music, or a big broadway show.

See it if have a great imagination and love for the artistry of dance.

Don't see it if you have lack of patience and a creative imagination

See it if you enjoy something different that will make you think and smile

Don't see it if you dont like to smile