Part of FringeNYC: It's funny-or-die in the graveyard. This absurdist comedy pits a Watchman with a worthless watch against a chatterboxing, handcuffed man and a know-it-all woman in bandaged hands to see who earns the right to move on up.
... Read moreCategories: Comedy, Drama, National. From Jeremy Kehoe. Written by Jeremy Kehoe.
FROM THE ARTIST:
It’s funny or die in the graveyard.
This absurdist comedy pits a Watchman with a worthless watch against a chatterboxing, handcuffed man and a know-it-all woman with bandaged hands in a battle of triangular wits to see who earns the right to move on up.
Why would the Watchman who wears a watch that won’t work sit silent sentry in a graveyard and wordlessly wait, and wait, and wait?
And what about Lewis, who shatters the serenity after stumbling from a slumber at the soles of the Watchman’s feet? Where does he think he’s heading? Nowhere fast, if the Watchman has his way.
And then there’s Anne with the bandaged hands. What drew her to this dark corner of the universe? And, why does she keep insisting she knows everybody? It’s so annoying.
Why won’t any of them move on? What in the world are they all waiting for?
"'Movin’ On Up' spends a great deal of time questioning why characters are in the graveyard limbo space that they're in...The simple fact that there is meaning makes this a more optimistic worldview than true Absurdism, and the end of the show leaves a more hopeful taste in your mouth than it might otherwise. It’s certainly not the dark, trivial romp that one might expect from a show that self-identifies with that old nihilistic performance tradition." Full Review
"Playwright Jeremy Kehoe’s text is reminiscent of a David Sedaris essay. His dialogue is witty, absurd, and unexpectedly endearing...Preston Smith is hysterical as Lewis. His non-stop gabbing makes him the perfect vehicle for Kehoe’s complex dialogue...When considering the small cast and whip-smart dialogue, the play can get weighed down at times by muddy pacing...Regardless, 'Movin’ On Up' is a short, fun romp of a good time. You’ll come for the laughs, stay for the characters." Full Review
See it if You like quick, funny wordplay, challenging scripts and big ideas.
Don't see it if You don't like having to work to understand complex ideas.
See it if Good times and good music
Don't see it if You want to hear original show tunes
See it if you like seeing everything.
Don't see it if you like interesting plots or characters.
See it if You like original plays that are thought provoking and funny.
Don't see it if You're in the mood for a light fluffy play.
See it if looking for wonderful acting / direction / textual flow.
Don't see it if looking for real meaning; for me this was less "thought provoking" and more "cliched mumble-jumble".
See it if Beckett or Anouilh appeal. Fine American take on similar propositions. Mack & Smith particularly impressive. Gorcyca defeated by loud AC
Don't see it if you like your theatre pre-digested and bland
See it if you enjoy plays that make you think and reconsider the way that you look at the world.
Don't see it if you like musicals. Because it's not a musical.
See it if you would like to see an intelligent play that makes you think about the meaning of life
Don't see it if you only like musicals
See it if you like creative word play, the plays of Beckett and imaginative situations.
Don't see it if you want a musical, banana peel humor or slapstick.
See it if You ever wanted to be a dinner guest with Samuel Beckett and Aaron Sorkin. Came 100 miles to see another great Kehoe-written play. Go!
Don't see it if you don't want to think and wonder and ponder -- as well as be entertained.
See it if You like strong acting
Don't see it if You get bored easily. But it does pick up
See it if You want be immersed in an hour of fast-paced, witty dialogue that makes you reflect on the meaning of our existence... in a bare bones way.
Don't see it if You're looking for a light theater experience. No tap dancing.
See it if You like unique and off-the wall dialogue.
Don't see it if You prefer a strong story line.
See it if You have a love of lively dialogue. You enjoy being challenged to think about the meaning of human existence in this world and the next?
Don't see it if You can't keep up with the amazingly written, intense, thought-provoking dialogue
See it if If you're a Beckett fan and want to wrestle with questions of purpose and meaning.
Don't see it if If you're in the mood for light entertainment.
See it if You like thought provoking and very entertaining and creative writing
Don't see it if You Are. Looking for. Slapstick
See it if Funny thought-provoking piece w/witty dialogue that delves into our reason for being. Unique characters searching for meaning-in a graveyard
Don't see it if you do not want to go deep about our collective existence and explore why we're here, in this space and time!
See it if you enjoy rich and smart dialogue and original ideas
Don't see it if you like to be passively entertained an not think too much
See it if you want to explore the meaning of life.
Don't see it if you want something light
See it if A delightfully crafted journey that refuses to move from its spot. Intelligent and athletic -- an actor's decathlon!
Don't see it if You don't like to think about your existence.
See it if you enjoy drama with wit; and you enjoy a play that makes you think about the world around you, as well as your own inner workings.
Don't see it if you prefer light fair over thought-provoking dialogue. This is a play that invites you to hang on every word. Not for people with ADHD :-).