Letters Of Suresh NYC Reviews and Tickets

81%

(92 Reviews)

Positive

91%

Mixed

Negative

Members say

Great acting, Absorbing, Great writing, Thought-provoking, Intelligent

About the Show

A companion piece to Pulitzer Prize-short listed playwright Rajiv Joseph’s play "Animals Out of Paper."

Intimate mysteries are revealed through a series of letters between strangers, friends, daughters, and lovers — many with little in common but a hunger for human connection. Sending their hopes and dreams across oceans and years, they seek peace in one another while dreaming of a city once consumed by the scourge of war.

Member Reviews (92)

See how lives of 4 characters revolve around a packet of letters, poetic and profound ruminations but devoid of organizing plot

See it if 4 damaged characters use letters to express pain & existential concerns, poetic script, convincing acting, evocative use background screens

Don't see it if no plot that unifies stories of characters, vehicle might work better as a novel; characters declaim, never interact

Clever, Great acting, Absorbing

See it if you enjoy a very intelligent show. Reading of letters so well done to tell the story. Great acting.

Don't see it if you want more dramatic action. This is a very subtle show and can be appreciated more the second time.

Entertaining, Disappointing, Absorbing, Ambitious, Quirky

See it if The friendship between a Japanese priest and a young American is told through letters recited by actors as monologues.

Don't see it if Kind of a mess. Takes on so many topics - friendship, nukes, homosexuality and more - but doesn't say much about any of them.

A slow 90? minute play., Disappointing, Ambitious

See it if you like this playwright. As i watched, i thought it was sweet and engaging, funny,poignant The history of the letters was wonderful, needed

Don't see it if i thought the play stopped cold when the priest came out. He spoke too long. i know it was meant to show randomness of who lives, who dies Read more

Great writing, Exquisite

See it if Beautifully and gently folds layers of different characters' lives and struggles into a deep and flying creature.

Don't see it if Slower moving thought/abstract pieces on life and love, no major plot, no particular theatrics, series of monologues aren't your thing. Read more

Poignant, Uneven in some places, Heartfelt, Imaginative, A love-letter to writing

See it if a love-letter to letters, communication, and creativity appeals; you seek a short yet moving play revolving around interconnected lives.

Don't see it if expecting shock, surprise, or multiple plot-twists; unenthused by a cast of four narrating (at different times) letters; seeking epic drama. Read more

Riveting, Must see, Great staging, Great writing, Exquisite

See it if you are looking for a beautifully written play that will keep you engaged. Rajiv Joseph is a gifted writer who tells compelling stories.

Don't see it if everyone should give this play a chance. Read more

Intelligent, Slow, Great acting, Poetic

See it if you want epistolary-style play recreating letters among 4 disparate people seeking human connection and understanding. Poetically written.

Don't see it if you want action or linear story. This unfolds slowly, revealing layers of the 4 characters through sequence of letters over many years.

Critic Reviews (11)

"A play, though, is also a way of making paper (a script) into something else (a show), and “Letters of Suresh,” despite its adroit, layered performances, never executes that transformation fully, persisting as a literary work rather than an entirely theatrical one."
Read more

"I was surprised by how moved I was to watch a play about difficulties in communication now, but we are in the wake of a pandemic that cut everyone off from each other, and we are all just starting to re-meet our friends and colleagues after a long time away. That extends to theater, too, as we gather for our first shows back, and this uncommonly graceful play is a very nice welcome back."
Read more

"Joseph has seemingly mastered the art of theatrical origami, twisting and turning his narrative into various shapes to produce a creation of remarkable beauty."
Read more

"Because Letters of Suresh is such a quiet, intermissionless 90-minute piece, it’s difficult to pinpoint its urgent effectiveness."
Read more

"Joseph’s writing is as vivid and poetic as ever, matched by Jiyoun Chang’s impressionistic lighting design and Shawn Duan’s gorgeous projections (those koi fish!)—even if it sometimes goes over the top."
Read more

"Rajiv Joseph has elevated the epistolary style to a new height in playwrighting. Aside from telling a good story, the play is also a moving, spiritual experience about hopes, hurts and heartbreaks as well as building relationships that help one grow. With an excellent cast entirely attuned to the author’s purpose, Letters of Suresh is a magical experience."
Read more

"Given the admittedly talky nature of the piece, director May Adrales deserves her own letter of commendation for keeping us involved with the story on all levels...But as this quartet of troubled souls struggles to properly explain themselves, their lives, their actions and, yes, their own long-buried truths through this seemingly simple act, I suspect everyone in the audience should sympathize with their pain and confusion — and applaud their courage."
Read more

"It is a charming essay on the interconnectedness of everything. But an essay is often cerebral to the point where the heart is barely involved. That was the case here. In the end we are interested in these characters but not concerned or involved."
Read more