One Discordant Violin NYC Reviews and Tickets

80%

(25 Reviews)

Positive

80%

Mixed

20%

Negative

Members say

Thought-provoking, Intelligent, Great staging, Absorbing, Great acting

About the Show

Based on a short story by "Life of Pi" author Yann Martel, this new work is a moving duet for actor and violinist about finding beauty in unexpected places and what can happen when we reach beyond our grasp.

From the show:

From the producers of the critically acclaimed Old Stock: A Refugee Love Story. Based on a short story by famed Life of Pi author Yann Martel.

An aspiring Canadian writer is visiting Washington, DC on his first ever trip to the United States. After stumbling upon a group of Vietnam War veterans performing classical concertos in an abandoned theater, he has a life-changing encounter with a forgotten American composer. One Discordant Violin is an extraordinarily moving duet for actor and violinist about finding beauty in unexpected places and what can happen when we reach beyond our grasp.

Member Reviews (25)

Heartfelt, Intelligent, Thought-provoking, Great music, Great acting

See it if "A duet for storyteller and violinist." Beauty and art can be found in unexpected places and can change how one feels and sees the world.

Don't see it if you are not interested in a cerebral experience; there is a sense of melancholy which might not appeal to all & the music is mournful; wordy Read more

Disappointing book, Great violin music, Intelligent, Thought-provoking

See it if Solo show but with 2nd non-speaking character playing beautiful violin music; a would-be writer meets a musician (full-time job custodian)

Don't see it if Want more character development and/or more music. Expecting Martel's absorbing work. (I am a huge Life of Pi fan.) Read more

Meditative, Philosophical, Intimate, Thought-provoking, Absorbing

See it if You enjoy podcasts like This American Life, Radiolab, Rough Translation. You were a lit major.

Don't see it if You dislike shows that are essentially extended monologues. Read more

Great writing, Great acting, Delicate, Exquisite, Absorbing

See it if a work of art has ever touched your soul to such a degree that the experience stands out as life altering, or if you'd like to.

Don't see it if You are not willing to work with the author and actors to understand how something as seemingly inconsequential as a concert can change you.

Intelligent, Moving, A theatrical gem

See it if you like short, small, understated plays that grab you and go deep, touching on power of art & life's disillusionment, complex but beautiful

Don't see it if you prefer a large production,don't get plays that just skim the surface of things and let the audience fill in many of the missing pieces.

Great staging, Captivating

See it if You want an interesting piece that will suck you into its world with detailed writing, clever staging and beautiful use of light and sound.

Don't see it if You want a show with a strong story - the set up is so intricate that it seems as if it should go somewhere more.

Beautiful music but not enough to make a play!

See it if U want to hear beautiful haunting music created by Aaron Collier & Jacques Mindreau. It will make you believe in beauty no matter what/where

Don't see it if U expect a fully developed story because it is just a solo actor recounting a chance meeting with a ordinary war vet/janitor & a concert. Read more

Great staging, Exquisite, Absorbing

See it if The show started with the Violinist played in the darkness and slowly opened up. It was meditative and mesmerizing, told the story in 70 min

Don't see it if If you don’t like a slow play and hope you can find the bright light at the end.

Critic Reviews (9)

"In Search of Soul-Stirring Art: Anthony Black’s play is about the life-sustaining power of creating art. But it never overcomes the dull short story from which it’s adapted."
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3/5 Stars "This overwritten monologue explores well-worn themes...Yet...As Mindreau plays on our heartstrings with his bow, the play’s points about the power of art transform from rambling intellectual argument into emotional epiphany."
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"Art's Ephemerality Disguised as a Terrifying Haunted House in 'One Discordant Violin': Anthony Black adapts, directs, designs, and stars in a short new play based on a story by Yann Martel."
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"'ONE DISCORDANT VIOLIN' at 59E59 Theaters is for Music Lovers and Many More"
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"All of the elements of stagecraft come together in a way that blends the ethereal and the mundane into a fascinating theatrical event."
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4/5 Stars "Actor-adapter Anthony Black brings a right-smart short story by Yann Martel (of 'The Life of Pi') to the stage."
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"What this team of artists has created is a serious piece of storytelling that is also a glorious treat for the eyes and ears. If you've figured that the show will just be a guy narrating a short story while another guy plays violin, you're certain to be pleasantly surprised."
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"As a whole, 'One Discordant Violin' satisfies the theatergoer's palate with an enchanting story that rings true, is compellingly relatable, and plucks the strings of the heart with cosmic vibrations."
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