Jesus Hopped the 'A' Train NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (212)
See it if you want to see a classic by Guirgis. It's performed beautifully and is a very absorbing story.
Don't see it if you don't like profanity or prison dramas. This isn't for everyone, but I sure loved it! Read more
See it if You're a fan of thought-provoking theatre about social issues and want to see some excellent acting.
Don't see it if If you don't like plays at are emotional or upsetting.
See it if you like an engrossing story and exceptional acting in a play encompassing topics of morality, religion, justice, race and inevitability.
Don't see it if you have no interest in prison themes or those who are incarcerated, along with their reactions to themselves and their crimes.
See it if A play which we all need to see if we really want to know about our penal system and the attitudes which prevail on the inside.A must see.
Don't see it if If you like burying your head in the sand about the realities of prison life and it's failures.The cast showed you what it's like inside. Read more
See it if You want to be over-whelmed by brilliant writing and acting. The energy produced by the actors will have you wound-up for days. Bravo !
Don't see it if if you can’t handle two guys with only street creds discuss god, right vs. wrong, the limits of friendship/responsibility or the F word.
See it if you like gripping contemporary urban drama.
Don't see it if you want light fare, or simple black and white approaches to social issues.
See it if You enjoy intelligent theatre
Don't see it if You can not follow dialogue closely
See it if You like darker, strong evenings of tense theater. You want to hear grit and tense themes. You like 'Law & Order' to the extreme!
Don't see it if Your choice in theater is fluff and sweet times. You can't get there this week. It's closing soon.
Critic Reviews (28)
“First staged by the LAByrinth Theatre Company in July, 2000, Stephen Adly Guirgis' brilliantly titled ‘Jesus Hopped the “A” Train’ has been revived at the Signature Theatre in a riveting, savage and bleakly sad production directed by Mark Brokaw. Although dealing with the consequences-perhaps deserved, perhaps not-heaped upon two murderers, ‘Jesus Hopped the “A” Train’ is not without its humor.”
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"The play still warrants all of the praise I heaped on it then. In retrospect, it was not the tentative work of a newbie finding his bearings, but the full-throttled, confident and adept work of a young writer of immense talent...It's the play that's compelling, and the fine actors are wonderful stewards of Guirgis's words...Directed with a careful but light hand by Mark Brokaw...'A Train' is not a hard play to watch, because its intensity is lightened with lots of humor."
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“A breathtaking two-hour feat of humanity at its most relentless sincerity...Ferociously funny. Director Mark Brokaw stays true to the story and lets each character speak candidly to the audience. There are no superfluous stylistic choices, nor any theatrical ‘accessories’ to distract us from Guirgis' text. The result is an earnest and triumphant production without a single dull moment. Much kudos to the team of superb performers."
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"Stephen Adly Guirgis, Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, writes with guts and blood and not for the faint of heart...The play is awash with minor and major monologues like pop ups that arise in empty spaces with it’s own humor and one-liners and a symphony of themes...The play is powerful, the actors riveting, as Mark Brokaw drives the production with insightfulness."
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“The train on which He has hopped is running in full glorious throttle in this production...Guirgis’ writing here is spare and direct. It has the urgency of life and death...The performances as spot on in every way. No loose ends. Just clarity, precision and engagement...Mark Brokaw‘s direction mirrors the writing in its simplicity and ease. This is one of those productions that makes you remember why you love the theatre – because it is transformative. Bravo.”
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“Guirgis’ characters have nothing (and everything) to lose, and so, they argue brilliantly. They argue to the death...Make no mistake, we’re on trial here as much as the defendants during the course of this compelling play...This is a solid cast...All of this excellent work is well supported with precise and smooth direction by Mark Brokaw. Get a ticket, hop a train, see this remarkable production.”
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“A powerful piece of writing about punishment, redemption, forgiveness, and prejudice wrapped up in God’s judgment and also societies vantage point...It’s a shame that Brokaw, who did this so well with the incredible 'Heisenberg' two-hander, fails to fluctuate the volume and speed of the train. Some variations of color and tone might have kept me leaning in more."
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"'Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train' carefully strips away the façade of 'right and wrong,' 'innocence and guilt,' and 'good and bad' to expose the horror of 'discarding' human being...The play also resounds with the horrific wonder of the cycle of redemption...The play raises rich and enduring questions regarding justice and morality; moral ambiguity; and guilt and innocence...Gathegi’s performance is haunting and exhilarating."
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