Dead Poets Society NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (103)
See it if You enjoy a creative setting, intelligent dialog and being taken back to the enjoyment of the movie. Captain, my captain
Don't see it if You expect a lively story or setting or want to see a fluff story
See it if to see a great cast unfold a story that invokes your emotions in many different ways. Jason Sudeikis is is terrific as the inspiring teacher
Don't see it if You expect a full scale Broadway production. An exact replica of the movie version. Read more
See it if You don't go by the reviews. Well acted and staged, very funny in places. I would see it again.
Don't see it if You dislike a piece with one or two roles that are more charicature than not
See it if You're a fan of Jason Sudeikis or John Doyle. Sudeikis shines in his stage debut. Doyle strips the play down to its essence.
Don't see it if You're looking for a show with depth because this is fairly light. The play just kind of ends without much resolution so watch out there. Read more
See it if You want to see a new take on an old story , an American Mr. Chips , full of heart
Don't see it if You expect Robin Williams . Sue kiss makes the character his own .
See it if you appreciate excellent writing, acting and direction. You want a new interpretation of what was in the movie. you want to see a great cast
Don't see it if Zero reasons not to see this. It is 100 engrossing, entertaining, thought-provoking, moving minutes of wonderful theater.
See it if you want to see excellent comedy and tragedy. The first half was incredibly funny, the second more serious. The humorous moments were golden
Don't see it if you want a new story or to be invested enough in the characters for the tragic moments to have deep meaning Read more
See it if you miss Robin Williams a lot, enjoy Jason Sudeikis, love literature with all your heart
Don't see it if you think literary appreciation is pretentious
Critic Reviews (33)
"There’s nothing necessarily wrong with the new stage version of the classic film...It’s just completely unnecessary...Tom Schulman’s script is essentially a rehash of his original screenplay, and the sentimental and solemn tone remains the same, which means that this stage adaptation brings almost nothing new to the underlying property...Sudeikis has a chummy ease and subtle quirkiness, but he lacks the sadness and warmth that made Williams so unforgettable."
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"Sudeikis impressively steps out of the long shadow of Robin Williams in his gutsy portrayal...Schulman has smartly condensed his original screenplay, reassigning scenes to a smaller cast of characters and eliminating others altogether...Despite Doyle's breezy production and solid performances from the cast, the show doesn't make a very good argument for its necessity onstage. You can get the exact same story on-screen, much of the dialogue word for word."
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"A crisp and engaging world premiere production...Jason Sudeikis is just terrific as John Keating...He plays the role with a winning combination of preppy playfulness and compassion....As with all rebellions, there are losses and tragedies, and 'Dead Poets Society' doesn't ignore the cost of nonconformity. Clocking in at a little over 90 minutes, the intimate production moves swiftly, aided by the sparse efficiency of designer Scott Pask's set."
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"John Doyle has done a number of things right by 'Dead Poets Society'...Sudeikis' Keating is exactly the cheerful, trouble-making presence the script demands...The adaptation, by Tom Schulman (who wrote the screenplay), moves well, but, lacking the film's visual texture, is a thin and sentimental melodrama. There isn't a hint of character shading anywhere...Is this sort of warmed-over movie script really the best use of a major Off Broadway theatre?"
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"As good a piece of writing as 'Dead Poets Society' is, it's not immune to this production's highly variable direction and acting…Jason Sudeikis is utterly believable as both a crazy and a conservative…William Hochman is outstanding as Knox…But except for Francesca Carpanini, no one else is remotely as good…One does wish Schulman had imparted the adults with as much depth as he did the kids…But Schulman does his level best to ensure that, with 'Dead Poets Society,' you get everything else."
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"Masterful staging, impressive scenic design and pleasant performances aren’t enough to make this skillful stage adaptation of the classic film ‘Dead Poets Society’ more than a mildly entertaining 90 minutes…Mr. Schulman has adeptly reconfigured his film script for the theater…Though well-crafted and expertly presented, ‘Dead Poets Society’ with its quaint message and rehashed themes of the coming-of-age youth who must face painful truths, is amiably underwhelming."
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"Unfortunately, my hopes that Doyle could bring his flair for fresh new takes to familiar theater pieces didn't materialize in this instance; Neither did my wish that in adapting his film script for the stage, that Schulman would have found a way to tone down the from the get-go predictability and perhaps ratchet up the role of the teacher...If only the poetry didn't come off here, as it did in the movie, well chosen but a well-intentioned but contrived device."
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"Tender, heartfelt adaptation...Sudeikis brings his own devilish charisma to the role...Director John Doyle brings his special signature to the adapted work by clearing the stage, allowing the story to tell itself...The chemistry between Sudeikis, the actors, and the audience is palpable, and his message to break the mold is inspiring for all...As always, Doyle graces his work with clarity and simplicity, allowing the story to resonate more powerfully on the stage than on the screen."
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