Goodbody
About the show
The Crook Theater Company presents their first original work, an ultra-violent, profane fantasia that is both comic and shocking. More…
Marla comes to in a barn upstate to find herself standing over a freshly murdered corpse with the smoking gun in her hand. Can she trust Spencer, the beaten and bound man cowering in the corner, to jog her memories of the events that brought them all here? What heinous acts could she be capable of?
“A screwball murder caper...Cleverly penned...and directed...The story unfolds with twists and turns before a somewhat surprising and very satisfying denouement. It’s meant to a be a goofy bad-guy story that’s escapist theater at its best. Best of all ‘Goodbody’ has little to do with any current events or politics. It provides a lot of laughs mixed with the tension and danger of a story about crazy, murderous losers. And that’s not only just fine, but a very welcome and necessary relief.” Full Review
"Ernst…shows a masterful command of fast and furious, not to mention funny and filthy, dialogue. Some of his bits are belabored and the play could lose a few minutes but he's definitely on the right track…As the situations evolve, Ernst carefully peels away the skins of the various dramatic onions, exposing layers of lying and deception… The bizarre conclusion…is surely over the top, but it's not without sufficient foreshadowing. Whether or not you approve, you'll probably long remember it." Full Review
"'Goodbody' gets the macabre humor just right, with very funny dialog throughout. It also keeps the tension high, though that part is a bit of a cheat since it relies heavily on the presence of loaded and aimed firearms, implements of torture, and plenty of stage blood...A ghoulish ending pushes the play beyond the limits of its own internal credibility. But J. C. Ernst, the writer, has a way with dialog that mostly keeps the edgy gangster saga within the realm of its gallows humor origins." Full Review
“Despite the seemingly predictable setup of its initial premise...‘Goodbody’ cleverly subverts expectations...After a shaky start, the play eventually finds its groove...Displaying an interesting dichotomy of its own to rival that of its characters...With its deftly crafted humor amid literally stomach-curdling violence, ‘Goodbody’ successfully pays homage to the action-comedy genre with unabashed, bloody brio.” Full Review
"If you find it difficult to take any of this seriously, don't even try. 'Goodbody' is a satire of the old-fashioned gangster movie and the newer variations created by writers such as Martin McDonagh and Quentin Tarantino. In many ways it is quite successful...Director Melissa Firlit keeps the mayhem moving. Although a good deal of 'Goodbody' is belabored, there's enough here that's truly funny to get us over the bumpy spots." Full Review
"For most of its running time, 'Goodbody' has the foul mouth, wiseacre ways, and twisty plotting of some of our better crime novelists, plus a little something extra...Near the end, however, 'Goodbody' starts to wobble a bit...the plot seems to hit a standstill...Still, this is a good chance to meet any number of talented young people...The theatre is woefully undersupplied with thrillers these days, so it's hard to dismiss one as kicky as 'Goodbody,' even if it runs down toward the end." Full Review
"From its dramatic opening, there's nowhere for 'Goodbody' to go but down, even if Ernst keeps raising the stakes with complicated backstories and developments that leave one breathlessly confused. The production, however, is a good one, with rapid-fire direction by Melissa Firlit, the aforementioned set and lighting by McCarren, the apt and pertinent costumes by Dan Morrison, fight choreography by Cliff Williams III, and a strong ensemble performance." Full Review
“A fabulous premise...Unfortunately, ‘Goodbody’ loses steam as the evening progresses...Ernst attempts the violent insanity of a McDonagh or Tarantino, but the humor isn't funny enough, the suspense isn't suspenseful enough, and the insanity isn't insane enough...There are genuinely funny moments and some of the suspense works well...‘Goodbody’ is never boring. But it just doesn't have the build and tension it needs to fulfill the promise of its premise.” Full Review
See it if you dont mind dark comedy, getting sprayed by blood, lots of cursing, mobster-esque play.
Don't see it if you are a square. I enjoyed this, minus the old woman next to me who kept yawning whose breath smelled like sour onions. SEATS ARE CLOSE
See it if you like a sly send-up of murder mysteries with a feminist tilt
Don't see it if stage violence bothers you.
See it if Unforgettable murder mystery that keeps you guessing and anxious for some answers. Intense, raw, powerful and immsenly unpredictable.
Don't see it if Demands undivided attention as the story keeps twisting. Tolerance to gory violence is expected.
Also A quaint barn scene with mesmerizing performance from all four actors ... Read more Read less
See it if you like good acting
Don't see it if if you like bloody situations
See it if You enjoy macabre humor and Quinton Tarantino films. This is like Evil Dead meets Reservoir Dogs. You like to see works by new playwrights.
Don't see it if You dislike gore, violence, or get extremely uneasy with onstage firearms.
Also "Plots may be simple or complex, but suspense, and climactic progress ... Read more Read less
See it if you want to see a show that adds those comedic moments at the perfect time in a drama.
Don't see it if you don't like intimate settings.
Also I loved the performers!
See it if In time for Halloween, a dark comedy ghoulishly intense with violence which should not be taken seriously. A hoot very funny!
Don't see it if Do not see if physical violence is disturbing for you. Must be able to see the humor in this very dark play.
See it if you enjoy the horror/thriller genre and dark humor, in an intimate space. Well-acted and directed, even in the small space.
Don't see it if heavy profanity, explicit material, and violence make you uncomfortable
See it if •You enjoy an intimate show w/ great acting & an interesting story. •You enjoy comedic violence. •You want an interesting experience.
Don't see it if •You are looking for big production value. •You want a large upscale show with a big cast and lots to look at. •You do not like loud noises
Also The show was pretty good, very Tarintino-esq...It was well acted, but ... Read more Read less
See it if you want to be entertained. Starts in midst of drama and maintains throughout. Clever/funny dialogue and good pacing.
Don't see it if you're looking for something highly intelligent or profound. Intention of play more to entertain rather than to say anything about world.
See it if You like dark thriller comedies that might have violence and profanity.
Don't see it if You don’t like violence, gun shots and profanity. If you prefer your comedies to be light and funny.
See it if You like action /crime /gangsters type movies, enjoy the tensions between characters, and rather compact seating arrangement.
Don't see it if You are terrified being too close to the violent scenes.
See it if you like interesting stories, quirky characters and a good who done it.
Don't see it if you dislike watching violence and like tidy endings.
See it if you like the Cohen brothers and Tarantino
Don't see it if you want more than to be entertained or dislike gruesome scenes played for laughs
See it if clever Mamet type dialogue for a clever crime caper plot. Very Memento-ish
Don't see it if Violent and gory.
See it if you're a fan of Tarantino style movies. The violence is both graphic & at times comical.
Don't see it if blood, guts, sex & violence make you uneasy ( there's lots of that).
Also Playwright seems to be attempting to try his hand at Tarantino-ish st... Read more Read less
See it if if you want a murderous mystery with a twist and some humor, are OK with a very small theater space, are OK with cursing and fake gore.
Don't see it if if lots of cursing turns you off, you don't like small theater spaces, you're not into quirky tales or images of fake blood.
Also The female lead, Amanda Sykes, is very funny and steals the show. Towa... Read more Read less
See it if You want to watch one exceptional performance and are interested in a well-staged play with an interesting premise.
Don't see it if You're bothered by clumsy writing and uneven ensemble performances.
See it if if you enjoy a dark comedy with lots of blood and guts and don't mind vulgar language
Don't see it if you want a serious show with great acting; are bothered by lots of violence and blood; are offended by vulgar language
Also The story was a bit confusing, didn't explain some details. Had lots o... Read more Read less
See it if You like plays with Mamet-like verbal circumlocutions. It's a heist-gone wrong trope where one role is a psychopath and the others cope.
Don't see it if You don't like plays that put form over content and attempt to be verbally clever without substance.
See it if enjoy dark comedies. Or plays with a bit of oddness to them.
Don't see it if you demand a tight, well written script and terrific acting or are looking for something light and fluffy.
Also There is a good play here but it lies within an overwritten longer pla... Read more Read less
See it if you're into violence and low-class psychopaths shows
Don't see it if you have good taste and cringe at the vulgar and obscene for the sake of obscenities.
Cast & Creatives (11)
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