Nivelli's War NYC Reviews and Tickets

76%

(9 Reviews)

Positive

78%

Mixed

11%

Negative

11%

Members say

Absorbing, Confusing, Resonant, Disappointing, Intelligent

About the Show

The New Victory Theater presents this show about a six-year-old boy, stranded in the countryside at the close of WWII, and the mysterious tramp who agrees to walk him 200 kilometers to his home.

Ernst, a young evacuee from Frankfurt, finds himself alone and far away from home when he meets the mysterious Mr. H, a stranger with a trick or two up his sleeve. Fast friends, they set off down a road fraught with danger, hunger, and uncertainty in order to return the young boy to his family. Delicate piano music and dreamlike stage effects help tell this dramatic tale of two survivors who become allies. Inspired by a true story, 'Nivelli's War' is a vivid and moving theatrical account of an incredible journey and magical friendship. Recommended for ages 8 and up

Member Reviews (9)

Touching, Exquisite, Thoughtful, Resonant, Mesmerizing

See it if Enjoy excellent children's theater performed/staged for any age audience. It is not at all treacly. Inspired by true story, this is fine.

Don't see it if You don't like kids in the audience w/you, want only insipid and silly shows, don't want to see any refs to war. Don't like magic.

Disappointing, Confusing, Excruciating, Historically inaccurate

See it if you want America seen as the villain and the atrocities of the Holocaust reduced to that of a child's magic show.

Don't see it if you want to learn the true story of a Holocaust survivor who lost his whole family in Auschwitz; surviving because the Nazis liked his magic Read more

Critic Reviews (4)

"All the ingredients of a classic in the making...The delightfully familiar story doesn't feel formulaic at all, with the impressively dynamic duo pulling your heartstrings throughout...Director McEneaney makes full use of the depth of the stage at the New Victory to create layers for his multidimensional tale...Paul 'Mr. G' Gomac is the wizard behind many of the enchanting illusions on stage, which delight the many children in the audience and amaze the adults as well."
Read more

For a previous production

"Levin's experience has now been expanded and transformed into an inspirational piece of theatre by two gifted professionals who understand instinctively how to capture, hold and ignite youthful imaginations...A skillfully structured and layered script...This is world-class work...It is crying out to be seen in countries far from here, where the quality of production and the impact of content upon young imaginations can be recognized for their universal significance."
Read more

For a previous production

"Many of the pared down scenes from last night’s performance lived on in my imagination as I drifted off to sleep, conjuring up the characters’ stories after the lights went down and the actors left the stage...Only an hour long, the play seemed to keep the attention of the younger children in the audience, and left them wanting more. Expect to laugh. Expect to feel slightly nervous. Expect a tear to escape your eye near the end and trickle down your cheek...A beautiful and touching show."
Read more

For a previous production

"Despite being for children, 'Nivelli’s War' doesn’t hold back...The play is quite dark, visually it’s beautiful to look at...It’s not all serious though, there are some genuinely touching and funny moments in the play to balance out the seriousness...'Nivelli’s War' is a very sophisticated piece of theatre, with the help of the complex characters, the use of shadows and the delicate piano music between scenes, a magic, cinematic, almost dreamlike experience is created that everyone can enjoy."
Read more