Nature & Purpose

See it if If you want to see an avante g. Play about two avante garde artists. If you want a different kind of play.

Don't see it if You want a consistent well written play. A play that is better than fair at best.

See it if you want to see 2 well-executed multi-media performance art pieces celebrating the work of experimental/influential artists Pollack & Burden

Don't see it if you don't appreciate radical, unconventional, experimental performance art; you are not interested in the question, "What is art?"

Also One could make an easy argument that both plays are pretentious and self-indulgent; but I think these avant-garde pieces were excellent expressions of the artists' work they were celebrating. Especially compelling was Matthew Marcum's reimagining of Pollack's art into music. [In another time, Marcum could have been a front man for a synth-pop band, like Bronski Beat or New Order.] And Ben Heathcoat does a nice job (in an otherwise uneven 2nd Act) of recreating Burden's controversial "danger art".... Read more Read less

See it if you'd like to see 2 performance art projects that take their inspirations from the lives & work of 2 signature post-World War II US artists.

Don't see it if you’re looking for a play: only 1 of these pieces has anything like drama, only sometimes, & drama is its weakest ingredient.

Also The shorter piece of this duo, inspired by abstract expressionist Jackson Pollock, is the more consistent, though its connection to its hero consists mostly of quotes declaimed by the solo performer over music & a kaliedoscopic doctoring of famous video footage. Essentially it’s a set of songs, in turn evoking glam, punk, goth or 80s synth; at times suggesting Antony & the Johnsons or Diamanda Galas. It was fun. The Chris Burden piece, a series of scenes, each inspired by a Burden work, is more problematic. The acting is uneven & the writing often content to wallow in the personal facts of Burden’s life in a fairly traditional way, not at all in keeping with the shocking, dangerous methodology that Burden’s body art employed in signature pieces. But the background video is strong &, after a needlessly sentimental closing speech, the piece ends with a perfectly Burdenesque gesture. I was glad to see how today's art students are putting icons of an earlier generation to use.... Read more Read less

See it if You're familiar w/the work of Pollack & Burden. You enjoy alternative storytelling. You like plays about process. You like multi-media work.

Don't see it if You like linear, traditional storytelling. You want a biography or explanation of the artists' work. You dislike multi-media pieces.

Also 2 plays, 2 reviews:
Pollack: performance art piece using vocals: loud & often shrill, to express the process & intent of Pollack's art. This was the more successful piece of the two plays.
Burden: uses more dialogue, though his process is told through other people's POV rather than the artist. The style ranges from sincere, which works well & a cheeky, mocking style, which does not. When it was more sincere, I was into the performance. When it was cheeky, I lost them & found it painful to watch.
Overall, for both plays, I applaud the ambition to present the question of "What is Art?" in an unexpected way. It doesn't always work, though if you're comfortable w/experimental theatre, it's worth checking out.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy performance art, these pieces based on artists and their works offer great vocalizing to interesting music and video & tense acts.

Don't see it if you are seeking a play - there is minimal acting here as this is new interpretation of artist works.

See it if Two art show very different from the norm. One with sounds to music. Second is about the artist past art show.

Don't see it if you are not opened mind, or if you like normal.

Also First act talks about Modern art and singing with sound vocals that at alot of times sounds like screams.

Second act was artist past art show.... Read more Read less

See it if you like avant-garde works about avant-garde artists

Don't see it if you're looking for an in depth bio of the subjects

Also I had two very different reactions to the two pieces. The first seemed to be nothing more than a millennial screaming into a microphone in a very small theatre. The second gave an entertaining, though not deep, story of the artist's life and work.... Read more Read less

See it if You like weird theater that treads the line between interesting and so bad it’s good. Usually funny shows that explore art in a fun way.

Don't see it if You like plot and are bothered by at times a lack of clarity if intent. Is it serious, is it a farce? This play might be a disaster or not.

See it if you like performance art and quirky, but cleverly written, ensemble hijinks.

Don't see it if you dislike performance art or experimental theater.

Also The Jackson Pollock piece still had sound issues. The music was in perfect range, but the artist screamed into microphone causing many to hold ears.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy weird performance art and the unusual theater performance

Don't see it if you want a basic drama or ordinary play

See it if ..you have any interest in art, especially in Chris Burden, his performance art, and pursuit of the question “what is art”. Fascinating!

Don't see it if Both plays were well acted. The first portion was way too loud, and except for the video, had no apparent relationship to Jackson Pollock.

See it if You are an art fan and like experimental theater

Don't see it if You don't have earplugs for the first piece. The glam rock vocals were excruciatingly loud. Second piece was interesting but fluffy.

Also There were serious issues with the sound. It was very clear but with the screamy rock vocals, the volume felt like a stadium sound blasting in a closet. At least 10 people walked out. The performer was very committed and sang lot of sounds (vs words).

I am a fan of Chris Burden so I was more interested in the second piece. They did a good job of highlighting some of his earlier performance art pieces, and the actor portraying him did look and sound like him. There were long scenes with a lot of perspectives with people around him that were longer than necessary to get the point across. But it was successful overall in raising questions about what art is and giving a feel for what Burden was about.... Read more Read less

See it if you are interested in art, avant-garde, wonder what art is and what purpose it should have. You like smart and thought provoking productions

Don't see it if you need elaborate staging, big cast, easy entertainment.

Also Even for skeptics of more provocative forms of art this play would be thought provoking and inspiring, in my opinion... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy aggressive performance art.

Don't see it if you seek clear narratives or comfortable seats/leg room (practically none exists).

See it if You want to see actor recreate performance artist Burden’s stunts. You enjoy performances with video backdrops.

Don't see it if If you are not willing to endure something experimental.

See it if you like two well-executed multi-media performances celebrating the work of experimental artists Pollack and Burden

Don't see it if you need elaborate staging, sets, a large cast and/or easy entertainment.

See it if You like strange theater. the actors really cared about the show.

Don't see it if You want to stay awake - I slept through most of it.

See it if You enjoy one-man shows that lean toward abstract, non linear performances.

Don't see it if You enjoy story driven plot or are hoping to learn about either artist. The show consists of wordless song and spare monologues.

See it if You have a fascination in performance art. The Pollock piece was particularly compelling.

Don't see it if You hate performance art.

See it if you respect imaginative undertakings and enjoy very good ensemble performances.

Don't see it if you like linear scripts and traditional staging. Also, if VERY LOUD nonsense syllables are distressing.

See it if You are interested in unusual performances, AMAZING Singing, and artists who defined their generations

Don't see it if If you're expecting a "play" Both shows get high marks for creativity and splendid performances

See it if You want to learn about a fascinating performer as interpreted by an absorbing lead performance.

Don't see it if You have issues with non linear narratives.

See it if You're into performance art or more edgy plays. Both shows certainly push the envelope.

Don't see it if You're not familiar with the work of Pollock or Burden.

See it if If you appreciate out-of-the-box subjects. If you’re open to seeing another persons perspective.

Don't see it if If your mind isn’t open to learning about a subject from another persons perspective.

See it if If you want to hear a vocal performance that is off the charts and a performance art/play hybrid that is well crafted and fun

Don't see it if You don't get performance art or prefer a drama or comedy.