Goodbody

See it if You like jokes and Comedy while something very intense and tragic is going on around it all

Don't see it if You are expecting a gritty thought out thriller or drama

Also If someone explained to me in one minute what this play was about I would go to see it time after time. Set was brilliant and the blood and fight choreography Was all good. What really bothered me a lot was all the cheesy stupid one line jokes. Every character was stupid in their own way. If you cut this down to a 15 minute one act and got rid of all the comedy they would have a really interesting Drammatic thriller... 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 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'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 style but is not quite there. Still, a good try.... Read more Read less

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 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 from one incident to another, are essential." -H. P. Lovecraft

Goodbody is a very strong debut work from playwright Joseph Ernst. The premise is, although tried and true, used very effectively.

The characters are all idiosyncratic enough to make them memorable. Particularly the put upon Aimes, played in perfectly pathetic fashion by Alex Morf.

The scenic, sound, and lighting design are all effective, especially the set. Certainly it's the most elaborate and professional set I've yet to see in Theater C at 59E59.

Where the play really shines is in the mystery. I was actively engaged throughout. I think the ending could use a bit of revision, but it certainly works as is.

Bottom line, if you're a horror or a thriller leaning person, don't miss this show. Additionaly, if you enjoy a little sophomoric humor à la Clerks, this play might also be your thing.... Read more Read less

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 of funny parts, but got to be quite ridiculous at some points. Needed more clarity with some details.... 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 You like black humor, or horror, or horror humor.

Don't see it if You’re easily offended by disturbing things played to comic effect : murder, torture, utter insanity?

Also I laughed A LOT and thought it was terrific. Really well-acted in the slightly Over-the-top way this needs.

There’s gore and suspense and frankly I was totally surprised that I hadn’t guessed the actual background to what was happening between the 2 characters who spend at least the first half alone together on stage. I was dead wrong.

I did anticipate the final “twist”, which didn’t make it any less awesome.

Definitely not for the squeamish or easily-offended. There is a string of cursing that goes on and on.

I feel like this is a play Tarantino would have written early in his career.

I would absolutely see it again. Not even 2 hours long and chock full of dark dark humor. Well done!!... Read more Read less

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 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 especially Spencer and Marla. Ah the Twinkie Cop! Dares to be like no other plays out there.... Read more Read less

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 like good acting

Don't see it if if you like bloody situations

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 play. Script really needs to be shorten and tighten up. It is repetitious and at times highly confusing. The set used all wooden pallets and made for a great look. Frankly a better cast and direction would have helped also. Only the gentleman playing a cop was believable.... 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.

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 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 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 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. Towards the end, it was feeling too long and drawn out for me.... 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 Amnesia driven Who-done-it’s are your thing.

Don't see it if Stage Violence, and some blood and crude language are troubling

Also Not a great play but entertaining for its efforts. With different direction and fight choreography the play could be a lot more intense and suspenseful. Not enough at stake. The climax of the play is a fight scene which should be brutal and gripping and suspenseful. With different fight choreo it could be. The set is challenging for a fight scene to play but that’s why it could be great if done well.
The actors were all good and committed but the script needs some work. Needs stronger direction. a couple of times when violence was supposed to be shocking or cringe-worthy, it got laughs. Good premise, decent arcs, unexplained amnesia device is a bit long in the tooth and not consistent through the play. It’s worthseeing, I was entertained, but it is a bit contrived and the ending was a bit anticlimactic due to direction and choreo.... Read more Read less

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 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 the story itself was pretty lackluster. The whole time, I found myself wanting more. But I will say that the first 10 minutes and the last 10 minutes of the show are my favorite parts.... Read more Read less

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