Bernie and Mikey's Trip to the Moon NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (51)
See it if A touchy story about a family with a child with disabilities, that brings to light the sacrifices and the constant struggle to make
Don't see it if do not like play about children with disabilities Read more
See it if a well-acted, heart-warming comedy-drama about a family with a mentally challenged grown daughter, and how it strains the relationships,
Don't see it if if you are offended by lots of profanity, can't sit through a 2-hr show, want a very uplifting show with no stressful situations Read more
See it if you are interested in a show about the daily joy and struggles of a family with an adult special needs daughter. Amazing acting all around!
Don't see it if you don't like shows about serious subjects or are not willing to listen to a lot of 4 letter words. Read more
See it if like family dramas with great acting that deals with real life problems, love, commitment, choices, etc.
Don't see it if you are not into heartfelt drama with great humor interspersed.
See it if you like well-written, character-driven comedy-dramas.
Don't see it if you prefer a little more plot with your plays. Read more
See it if you would like to see a well written and well acted play about a real life issue. You enjoy intelligent humor
Don't see it if Do don't want to see a play about a serious issue. You don't want to hear profanity
See it if Raw emotion throughout portrays a family dealing with a handicapped child who effects each member’s life’s journey in profound ways,
Don't see it if You find the issues of a struggling family with a handicapped child disturbing. Lots of profanity could make some uncomfortable. Read more
See it if You like good drama about people with disabilities who are coming of age.
Don't see it if You like comedies.
Critic Reviews (9)
“Karpen’s production stays true to the play’s traditional approach. The cast eschews actorly fireworks...The writing is unshowy at best, but can veer into awkwardness...there is a thin line between classic and passé. More of a problem is that the show is content to flit from setback to crisis without dwelling on any of them...Still, ‘Bernie and Mikey’s Trip to the Moon’ does elicit good will, if nothing else for its stubborn refusal to follow theatrical fashion."
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"The production enjoys outstanding direction by Claire Karpen and a top-notch cast that brings Aiello's finely written story to life...These talented thespians are so authentic in their roles, you will think you are watching the scenes unfold in real time...'Bernie and Mikey's Trip to the Moon' is an inspirational human journey that is ideal for the holiday season."
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"'Bernie and Mikey's Trip to the Moon' suffers from organizational problems. As Mikey's narrative comes to the fore, it leaves dangling...questions...Most of the time, however, the playwright doesn't pull his punches, especially in a sequence that makes clear how close to disaster the Vincolos reside. And he writes plenty of juicy scenes for his solid cast...Overall, Claire Karpen's smart, sensible direction keeps the action from straying into mawkishness or melodrama."
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"On paper, the dialogue between the characters of this play's American-Italian family is sometimes two-dimensional and prone to stereotype, but Claire Karpen's evocative direction, combined with the actors' superlative efforts to flesh out their characters produces a well-formed story filled with sincerity, love and earnestness. The play is at its best telling the overarching tale, carefully doling out exposition, not answering every question asked and not attempting to plumb every plot line."
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"A highly nuanced look at the ways caring for a severely disabled family member impacts one working-class household...An intense and often hilarious family drama. Zingers fly as the scene shifts between the family’s home and Mike’s bar...Perfectly staged and emotionally complex, the story, however familiar, rings true...What’s more, the story's framing makes it easy to empathize with each character’s exhaustion, terror, and frustration."
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"A conventional, occasionally heartwarming, but sometimes unconvincing, kitchen-sink dramedy…'Bernie and Mikey' is not quite sure of how to focus its scattered moonbeams...Reminds us of the plethora of plays about people with cognitive or physical disabilities whose conditions create emotional and ethical dilemmas...'Bernie and Mikey's Trip to the Moon' is no 'Moonstruck' but it may shed just enough moonglow to light up your heart."
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"A heartfelt piece about family, love, and how we take care of each other...The true strength of the story is in the relationship between brother Mikey and his sister, Bernie, and the story’s main journey towards Mikey’s realization that while he’d been trying to take care of his sister, he was the one who was relying on her care all along...I think Aiello’s characters are each crafted with love and invite the audience to fall in love with the Vincolo family."
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"Scott Aiello’s play tells the story of an inadvertent step forward for Bernie triggering a purposeful one for Mikey. Writing is good, touching without being maudlin and periodically very original...Director Claire Karpen has so much feel for the world of her autistic characters, it’s easy to conjecture she’s reflecting personal experience. Kitchen sink directness brings the Vincolo family into fine focus."
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