Babette’s Feast NYC Reviews and Tickets

80%

(64 Reviews)

Positive

86%

Mixed

11%

Negative

Members say

Clever, Great acting, Great staging, Entertaining, Absorbing

About the Show

Based on the short story (and made famous by the 1987 Oscar-winning film), this drama tells the story of Babette, a French refugee in Norway, who throws a lavish feast that becomes an agent of transformative grace.

'Babette’s Feast' is a bundle of exciting contradictions: stark and lush, stunning and austere, mysterious and comic. Further, it is timely with a twist: 'Babette's Feast' highlights the plight of a refugee seeking asylum, who through her munificence creates a lavish feast that becomes an abundant experience of forgiveness and connection, healing the fractured community. A story that shows how embracing the stranger changes a community for the better.

Member Reviews (64)

Beautiful ensemble work, Ambitious, Clever, Quirky, Thought-provoking

See it if you want to experience the difference between the narrow realism of film and the magic of theater. The ensemble is marvelous.

Don't see it if you expect the play to be just like the film. The well detailed characters move the plot forward using song, mime & just a suggestion of set

Absorbing, Clever, Great acting, Quirky, Great writing

See it if you enjoy a very unusual drama with good acting and staging. Costumes very suited to the story. I recommend you read short story to prepare.

Don't see it if you do not like dramas involving religion or you like comedy. Read more

Disappointing, Boring, Excruciating, Sleep inducing

See it if You have no expectation of seeing a theatrical version of the movie and you enjoy a very slow paced play.

Don't see it if You’re looking for a story that flows, 3 dimensional characters, excitement of any sort, good writing and a wonderful feast.

Terrific staging and performances. good storytelling.

See it if appreciate clever stage and story craft.

Don't see it if You like simple traditional storytelling.

Clever, Entertaining, Masterful, Great staging, Great writing

See it if Creative , delightful and entertaining . Great writing and a cast who sings and dances in addition to excellent acting.

Don't see it if Do not see if you are interested in light musicals or dramas.

Clever, Entertaining, Great acting, Quirky, Slow

See it if You loved the movie, enjoy a charming story with lots of exposition; strong actors and creative staging

Don't see it if You want a traditional play; lack imagination; seek an original story

Ambitious, Banal, Disappointing, Overrated, Indulgent

See it if You would like to see a short story extended to a full stage production

Don't see it if You don't want to see needless over-choreography.

Enchanting, Great acting, Great staging, Intelligent

See it if You want to see a wonderful cast on stage, are familiar with the story, or are familiar with the movie.

Don't see it if You don't like plays with messages, can't focus too long, want a fast paced show.

Critic Reviews (21)

"There is a certain elegance to Ms. Coonrod’s decision to let audience members flex their imaginations...But as it is, the revelatory repast feels undercooked...Some of the scenes also fall flat, as when the ensemble vocalizes sound effects while Babette prepares her feast...The feast is about destiny and art, and the joy of living in the now rather than sacrificing for the hereafter...The show tries valiantly to suggest all this, but alas, does not quite succeed."
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"Coonrod charts a radically different course in her production, with presentational ensemble acting reminiscent of commedia dell'arte, Brecht, and (most distressingly) children's pantomime. That tack may have seemed appropriate for a story front-loaded with exposition...Unfortunately, this story about the bonds that can be forged (or rekindled) over a great meal is hard to grasp when everyone is holding their characters at arm's length. The form just doesn't fit the content."
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"A distinctly theatrical dish...It may not be to everyone's taste...Presented in classic story-theatre style, with each member of the company stepping forward to relate part of the narrative...There are several sequences of stylized movement. All of this is executed with precision...A loving and faithful rendition of the original story...This production's overtly theatrical storytelling devices collide with Dinesen's story, with a slightly coarsening effect."
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"Employing a range of story-theatre techniques and hewing closely to Dinesen's short story, the production offers a gentle reminder of a shared humanity in our own trying times...The outstanding nine-person ensemble makes one almost forget the excellent film adaption...The play feels a tad overcooked, particularly in some of the earlier sections. Still, there is much to savor from the performances under Karin Coonrod's resourceful and often highly inventive direction."
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"Like the original story, the stage adaptation of Dinesen's 'Babette's Feast' is one of grace and renewal. While it is demanding and challenging in the way that theater used to be before expensive sets and costumes left nothing to the imagination, its rewards are great. Directed by Karin Coonrod, the nine member cast turns this into a magical theatrical presentation that you will not soon forget."
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"Rose Courtney's amiable stage adaptation [of] 'Babette's Feast' is rife with religiously oriented themes-guilt, suffering, resignation, vanity, mercy, and the like-but their emotional impact tends to be vitiated by the performance style, which dominates the experience. While some may come away moved, others will remember the production mainly for the tang of its presentation. Either way, there's much to be digested from this hour and a half of artistically tasteful gastro-drama."
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"The dramatic adaption is particularly well cast, with nine actors in total...The limited troupe benefits the play in permitting things to flow quite smoothly...Courtney is to be praised for the succinct script that stays true to the essence of the original short story...Direction by Coonrod is impressive...Overall, the play is short, sweet, and endearing. The creative team’s unflinching efforts pay off, and to view the show is an experience worth having."
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"Nearly as simple and spare as the lives of the fanatical sectarians in Dinesen's story...The playwrights have elected to steer clear of realism and any semblance of the visual extravagance associated with Axel's film...While 'Babette's Feast' has a number of highly dramatic moments, the playwrights' reverence for Dinesen's words has led them merely to tell much of the story, using descriptive passages from the original, rather than really staging it."
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