Nathan the Wise NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (65)
See it if You enjoy a good cast taking on some classic writing, translated for contemporary audiences.
Don't see it if you have trouble sitting through a SLOOOOOOOOOOW first act,
See it if An interesting update of an old tale told new.
Don't see it if You expect something wonderful other than the acting of the main character.
See it if You like F. Murray Abraham and don't care about the vehicle in which he is being featured.
Don't see it if If you can't handle an excruciatingly slow and boring and awkwardly acted and directed 1st act.
See it if you love great acting. Shout out John Christopher Jones and F. Murray Abraham crushed it.
Don't see it if you are only a musical person!
See it if You love an interesting story with a great ending. If you want to come out of the theatre smiling... Great play
Don't see it if No reason not to see this.
See it if you like Marlowe's Jew of Malta or are interested in the Crusades.
Don't see it if you're Islamophobic.
See it if you like dated fairy tales about religious equality and peace. What a waste of great acting.
Don't see it if My advise is not to see it.
See it if You love F Murray Abraham
Don't see it if You're looking for more current theater.
Critic Reviews (25)
"A pair of revelations about two orphans provides a rather hackneyed ending. I found some of Kulick’s choices perplexing...What we are to make of this mishmash of imagery was not clear to me. The acting is uneven. Lagerfelt was very good in both roles. Sands coped well with the abrupt changes in his character's behavior. Abraham was blessedly restrained. It was a minor pleasure to be exposed to this rarely seen curiosity."
Read more
"To director Brian Kulick’s credit, his thoughtful production treads lightly over the obvious reasons that his tiny, vital theater has revived this rarity with just enough overlapping eras and styles to make the point…In Edward Kemp’s lucid and engrossing translation, the play combines straightforward storytelling with the otherworldly charm of a fable…Abraham portrays the successful Jewish merchant with calm, tender humanism."
Read more
"This warm-hearted story about religious tolerance has the shape of a Shakespearean romance, the insight of a Michael Frayn drama and the soul of a fairy tale. Kulick hasn’t quite woven all these strands into a cohesive evening of theater...But a fine cast and the probing intelligence on display make it an enjoyable one...The acting was slapdash in style...But it was Abraham who dominated, not by dominating but by quietly anchoring the performances of everyone around him."
Read more
"The contemporary touches are subtle, and there’s a gentle, friendly atmosphere. All the characters are so good that it’s just a tad dull. By intermission one questions where the conflict is. The second half provides it…How it all plays out is unexpected, although the twists may become apparent shortly before they occur. But there’s such a pleasant atmosphere of idealism, respect and generosity that one comes away delighted by its virtues."
Read more
"Themes of friendship, the mystery and relativism of God and the nature of acceptance are explored en route. Its thesis—then and now—is compelling...While interesting, 'Nathan the Wise,' a story of familial secrets, is a bit contrived. Still, its solid cast, led by a centered Abraham, carries it off...Directed by Brian Kulick and adapted by Edward Kemp, who shortened the work, 'Nathan the Wise' doesn’t shy from religious cruelty, but promotes an important ideal."
Read more
"Bracing, timely new production...A uniformly excellent cast hits home with Lessing’s then (and still) controversial view of religion...textured by strong performances all around, the production smoothly balances the story’s personal and philosophical aspects...This 'Nathan the Wise' is more than a superb entertainment. It’s a small beacon of light in a dark world."
Read more
"What could be more contemporary than a play about the need for religious tolerance?...Always fun to see Broadway vet F. Murray Abraham -- and Stark Sands for that matter -- on a New York Stage. Lagerfelt adds a much needed dose of humor...It's kind of a predictable (in spite of the apparent plot twists and surprises). With two acts running just over two hours it seems a bit tedious, especially since there is a lot of retelling of action we already have seen."
Read more
"With Abraham commanding the central role and Kulick consciously and straightforwardly guiding the helm, 'Nathan the Wise' becomes a must-see for the spring 2016 Season...Abraham's greatness, being so subtly innate, fails to cast shadow on his fellow players and instead reflects light onto them...Kulick seemed to bring his cast to a point of truthfulness that left little to focus on but the story, an ideal performance."
Read more