Building the Wall NYC Reviews and Tickets

"James Badge Dale and Tamara Tunie, solid pros both, do their very best...But Schenkkan's play, written no doubt in good faith following the shock of Trump's election, is a hysterical, not to say irresponsible, piece of work...Ari Edelson's direction is pretty snappy, given the circumstances, although he doesn't shy away from the script's heavy solemnity...The best thing you can say about 'Building the Wall' is that it is sincere."
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"He's clearly concerned with how things are going...But he's gone about it in a curious way, one that doesn't resonate as strongly as he probably wanted it to...Schenkkan reveals vital information more slowly than he has to, and leaves out some salient facts...A more widescreen view of the current political landscape might make it feel more like a play and less like a screed. What 'Building the Wall' does do is humanize the voter base that fueled the electoral upset."
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“While the story is absorbing and pulls the viewer into the events being described, the very lack of heat in Edelson's production is problematic. Though the day-to-day events at the El Paso facility become more and more disturbing, the temperature never rises as it is all told on the same level. Dale and Tunie are convincing in their roles but there is no chemistry and little interaction between them. This tends to dissipate the appalling events that Rick finally gets to.”
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"A classic case of preaching to the choir...This big theme is realized quite successfully with this small-scale production. However, despite Ari Edelson's steady direction and the Class-A performances, it's too obvious that the initial business is a device to put forth a few background clues before heading into more chilling territory...Bravo to Mr. Schenkkan for managing to produce a coherent play even while the events that prompted him to write it continue to change every minute."
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“By the end our souls are wringing wet, our feelings numbed by the unimaginable, which echoes the haunting realities that happened...during the Armenian Genocide in 1916, during the Holocaust of the second World War and every genocide that followed…Directed with relentless precision…These incredibly complex themes are established concept by concept…With ‘Building the Wall,’ Schenkkan reminds us to open our eyes to the present in a play you cannot miss.”
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“We should be on the edge of our seats, but somehow with this production I was comfortably sitting back waiting for the shock that never comes…There is opportunity for sympathy from the audience for these characters, but this presentation is too preachy...This production loses its way...The entire production has the feel of holding back…This politically ‘NOW’ piece feels rushed and weakened by a direction taken that serves neither play nor actors.”
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"A disturbing yet powerful play...Directed impressively by Ari Edelson...'Building The Wall' feels very important. The conversation between these two solid characters, both intensely and purposefully played by these two fine actors, feels true and real...If you don’t think about the artificial setup too much, and just accept that this is where we are, the rest of the play drives forward like a landslide turning into an avalanche. And it’s frightening to listen to or imagine."
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“There’s no question that Schenkkan is a political playwright, but he is also an adept dramatist…'Building The Wall,' written quickly, may not win the playwright any more of those big prizes; it is comparatively modest, even restrained. Yet it is also an intelligent, well-played and ultimately potent drama...Building the Wall’ is terrifyingly plausible…It helps that James Badge Dale and Tamara Tunie so capably inhabit their characters, under the assured direction of Ari Edelson.”
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