Hysterical! (FringeNYC)
About the show
Part of FringeNYC: It’s the Bandits’ Best Year EVER! Until…one by one, the girls succumb to a mysterious illness. As the traditional pecking order is upended, the girls’ relationships are tested. A poignant, cheer-full look at life on the cusp of adulthood. More…
Categories: Drama, Comedy, Local. From Fifth Wall Productions. Written by Elenna Stauffer. Directed by Deborah Wolfson.
“Stretches of the play call to mind the second acts of low-budget zombie films...Juxtaposed with these scenes of realistic teenage life are the cheer routines...These routines cast the girls as a Greek Chorus in their own lives, which only makes sense, as modern-day society constantly tells women–and especially young women–that their experiences are not theirs alone, and that their pain needs to be acknowledged by men in order to be considered real.” Full Review
“It’s commendable that a cast of five on a bare-bones stage could become such an effective vehicle for playwright Elenna Stauffer’s inspired-by-true-events tale...While low on athleticism, director-choreographer Deborah Wolfson’s spirit routines provide comic relief and help pep up the pace...There’s a dark undertone to the story, which touches on the fragility of youth’s fleeting friendships and the inherently stressful nature of adolescence...Not your average teen comedy." Full Review
"I was surprised by the incredibly powerful and moving moments embedded within this show…The interplay between the comedy and the harsh realities of the social issues within 'Hysterical!' create a well-established balance, but there are moments in the first half of the production that could be tightened up...A fun night out dealing with forgotten but necessary themes in new ways. I'm excited about the future of this production, which has the potential to be truly powerful." Full Review
See it if You want your teen portraits to be multi faceted and thought provoking.
Don't see it if You just want the easy disparagement of cheerleaders.
See it if Enjoy some fun lyrics and not intent on coming out with all your questions answered.
Don't see it if You need a beginning and an end.
See it if You enjoy a show about high school girls issues and how they overcome based on events that really happened. Funny, interesting and moving.
Don't see it if You don't enjoy fresh and new theatre
See it if You enjoy both spectacle (in the form of cheers) and serious theatre (this play engages with the gendered issues around hysteria).
Don't see it if You want to be spoon fed. The play challenges you to think - I laughed and then had to consider the implications of my laughter.
See it if you like theater that both entertains and moves you, and are hoping to see some breakout performances.
Don't see it if you are only looking to laugh.
See it if you like cheerleaders
Don't see it if you don't like perkiness and surprises
See it if If you want to think about the catagion of spells. Or if you remember there was an actual case like this awhile ago
Don't see it if If you want a comedy
See it if You want to hear about a story that isn't told often.
Don't see it if You don't enjoy cheerful rhyming.
See it if you like a story that leaves you thinking.. Serious, interesting and funny, this show has great energy throughout.
Don't see it if you expect a one dimensional teen comedy.
See it if you want to see a novel portrayal of high school interactions and a story of bizarre but interesting and real series of events..
Don't see it if You're looking for a teen comedy.
See it if You'e interested in a multi-hued portrait of characters who are forced to confront adversity -- and some ugly truths. Funny and poignant.
Don't see it if You think this is just a joke at the expense of teens or cheerleaders. This is a play with humor, but it's not Bring It On.
See it if you want a well-acted, thoughtful and powerful show that explores the impact of hysteria on five high school girls and their community.
Don't see it if you want cheap laughs, happy endings or neat conclusions or you have a sugar-and-spice view of teen-age girls.
See it if you like creative, well written, thought-provoking darker plays/dramedies; energetic and charismatic acting; off-beat and original theater
Don't see it if No reason not to see it. Runs a bit long without an intermission, though.
See it if you enjoy a compelling,moving story that speaks to it's audience on many levels. Creative & well acted with a perfect mix of humor/darkness
Don't see it if no reason not to see this show.
See it if You're interested in seeing a range of characters deal with their clique's drama, mixed with some darkly funny moments.
Don't see it if You're just looking for a teen comedy. It's funny at times, but it's not silly.
See it if You want to go from sceptical to moved in a familiar but unexpected setting.
Don't see it if You never want to think about high school again.
See it if You enjoy good theater. This is a thought-provoking look at what is apparently an uncommon but real phenomenon. (Who knew?)
Don't see it if You're with children or are offended by coarse language.
See it if you are interested in a thoughtful exploration of a current social issue that also reveals insights about deeper emotional parenting issues.
Don't see it if you are stodgy.
See it if All ages can enjoy this, but should be mandatory viewing for middle-school girls. In its own way, a modern of version of The Crucible.
Don't see it if No reason not to see it.
See it if you're interested in issues regarding victims of misogyny and the patriarchy.
Don't see it if shouting would trigger you?