Memorial NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (25)
See it if You like a sociopolitical drama.
Don't see it if You want light fare. Read more
See it if you're interested in the fascinating story of the Vietnam War Memorial,the struggle between art and compromise and the essence of our nation
Don't see it if you dislike historical dramas that feel well-researched but lack well-fleshed out characters. Despite these flaws I was moved by this play.
See it if U think examining democratic process of compromise vs. individual artistic vision is worthy fodder, U like intimacy & turbulence on stage
Don't see it if don't care about why decisions are made & how much of a fight getting anything accomplished is, U hate seeing racism & misogeny on stage
See it if You are interested in the controversy surrounding Maya Lin’s design for the Viet Nam War Memorial. You enjoy plays that have a history theme
Don't see it if You are looking for a traditional play. Don’t see it if you don’t enjoy plays based on real life events and situations. It is not a comedy.
See it if you like a well written and acted play about the controversy behind the building and creation of Vietnam Memorial. Very thought provoking.
Don't see it if you don't like ethnic slur terms or arguing between characters. Read more
See it if A strong & moving production focusing on the creation of the Vietnam Memorial. This production has great potential.
Don't see it if If you prefer a light musical or comedy, then skip this one. Read more
See it if It makes you think about how far we have or have not come in accepting people who do not look like us. Nelson's performance is masterful.
Don't see it if you want something fluffy, this is not for you.
See it if You want theater of ideas and a bit of architecture history
Don't see it if You’re looking for great writing and acting; it’s merely just good. Read more
Critic Reviews (5)
CRITIC'S PICK! “ 'Memorial' does for Lin’s legacy what she has striven to do in her work — invite people to consider uncomfortable truths."
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“ ‘Memorial’ monumentalizes an important and not altogether shining moment in our past and offers a useful reminder of the lessons that are all too soon forgotten.”
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Not only is Livian Yeh’s "Memorial" revealing in its historic depiction of a recent piece of American history, it is additionally a very satisfying dramatic work. It is also very pertinent now with its depiction of racism against Asians shown to have been just as prevalent 40 years ago, as well as how deeply ingrained our unexpressed prejudices go. Jeff Liu’s direction mines all of the play’s nuances, twists and turns. The superb design adds greatly to bringing the play to life, suggesting more than is actually on the stage.
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Maya Lin was still a college student when her design was selected out of more than 1,400 entries…”Memorial,’ a low-key, imperfect but resonant play dramatizes this forty-year-old story [that] continues to offer an opportunity to contemplate some deep, unresolved strains in American history and culture, not least of which is anti-Asian prejudice.
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Some elements of this well-intentioned but stilted dramatization show the hand of a relatively inexperienced playwright, but Livian Yeh's exhumation of this contentious episode from the past offers clear parallels with the present.
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