Barbecue NYC Reviews and Tickets

78%
(60 Ratings)
Positive
80%
Mixed
13%
Negative
7%
Members say
Funny, Clever, Original, Entertaining, Hilarious

About the Show

The Public Theater presents award-winning playwright Robert O'Hara's world premiere dark comedy about a dysfunctional group of siblings who stage an intervention for their drug-addicted sister.

Read more Show less

Show-Score Member Reviews (60)

Sort by:
  • Default
  • Standing in our community
  • Highest first
  • Lowest first
  • Newest first
  • Oldest first
  • Only positive
  • Only negative
  • Only mixed
90 Reviews | 23 Followers
90
Dizzying, Edgy, Great acting, Hilarious, Original

See it if you love a little confusion, a shock, and a right turn. Hilarious and thought-provoking, amazing acting.

Don't see it if you hate being confused or a show that departs from its original path.

105 Reviews | 107 Followers
88
Edgy, Hilarious, Original, Madcap, Inventive

See it if you like your ideas big, your humor nutty and having the rug pulled out from under you at every turn. O'Hara's mind is a thing of wonder...

Don't see it if You like the play's message spelled out for you. This piece touches on big themes but in a way that trusts us to interpret it as we may.

hw
288 Reviews | 54 Followers
88
Entertaining, Great acting, Great staging, Original

See it if you like fast-paced, funny satire of contemporary life

Don't see it if references to race or vulgarity offend you

95 Reviews | 28 Followers
85
Clever, Raunchy, Relevant, Thought-provoking, Hilarious

See it if ribald and riotous examination of race and class, filled with theatrical delights and strong performances

Don't see it if you want to have a strong emotional experience rather than an intellectual one

311 Reviews | 494 Followers
85
Clever, Great writing, Hilarious, Refreshing

See it if you liked to be surprised by plot twists... You won't see what happens coming.

Don't see it if you're easily confused or don't like family dramedies.

EAS
52 Reviews | 18 Followers
85
Clever, Funny, Indulgent, Original

See it if Robert O'Hara knows his stuff. The multiple "reveals" only disappoint slightly in the end, but are still thought-provoking about race.

Don't see it if Can be considered underwhelming if you're expecting something clear-cut.

51 Reviews | 12 Followers
85
Clever, Ambitious, Edgy

See it if you like challenging, satirical, racially charged comedies.

Don't see it if you don't like those things.

124 Reviews | 173 Followers
85
Uneven, Ambitious, Funny, Edgy, Intelligent

See it if you enjoy farce about big political and social ideas.

Don't see it if you get a headache from a lot of shouting.

Critic Reviews (32)

AM New York
October 11th, 2015

"The first act concludes with a major revelation, and the comparatively toned-down second act essentially serves as a discussion of what we've already seen, with a few more surprises thrown in for good measure. 'Barbecue' may be rough and scattershot, but it is intellectually vigorous, often hilarious and quite exciting."
Read more

Theatermania
October 8th, 2015

"A wild theatrical experience that defies logic and explanation. O'Hara has created a true satire, laden with as much humor as there is criticism...The fact that everything is given equal weight and thought, and is presented with such audacious originality, sets it far apart from the competition. Easily one of the funniest plays of the year and one of the most searing appraisals of contemporary culture, 'Barbecue' proves O'Hara can cook with gas."
Read more

Lighting & Sound America
October 9th, 2015

"I can say with full confidence that, even if 'Barbecue' takes nearly a full act before it fully roars to life, O'Hara has pulled off a dazzling sleight of hand that makes any number of deadly accurate points about the social industry that produces our perceptions of race and myths of self-invention. Not only is 'Barbecue' filled with surprises; each of them packs a wicked sting."
Read more

Talkin' Broadway
October 8th, 2015

"After all the zany chance-taking of Act I, the second act just doesn't offer enough to make the loss worthwhile. Because what's good is so good, it's difficult not to wish that 'Barbecue' were evenly cooked all the way through."
Read more

CurtainUp
October 8th, 2015

"This is the funniest and most original play I've seen in a long time...This is a big, meaty, uproarious satire that's sure to be another hit...O'Hara has a lot more on his mind than telling his version of such a story with over-the-top familial stereotypes. Both acts are full of surprises...all the actors are terrific....director Gash has helped the cast to seamlessly inhabit their challenging roles and added to the play's pleasures with a deluxe physical production...Thumbs up. Don't miss it."
Read more

Theatre is Easy
October 12th, 2015

"'Barbecue' shines with equal doses of comedic gold and intellectual stimulation...Despite murkiness, O’Hara succeeds in planting some questions that linger long after the play’s celebratory ending. He is once again preoccupied with who gets to tell our stories, and luckily in this case it is O’Hara who has the pen."
Read more

Theater Pizzazz
October 9th, 2015

"Go see 'Barbecue.' You’ll be intellectually inspired and comedically delighted...In this season of disappointing experimental theater productions, 'Barbecue' is proof of concept. Chances are taken and reality is distorted but, unlike those other plays, it works here. It really works."
Read more

New York Theater
October 8th, 2015

"An outrageous, sly comedy. Some of O’Hara’s surprises turn this funny but uncomfortable story of a family who would not win any NAACP Image Awards into something clever and thoughtful. 'Barbecue' winds up much more satisfying theater than it initially promises to be...'Barbecue' manages to roast its raw characters, while at the same time basting the audience in juicy observations about race and class, truth and 'authenticity,' and modern addictions, including to fame."
Read more