One Discordant Violin

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

Also Some might think this play slow moving and/or boring. I thought it enchanting, sad, thought provoking and appreciative of beauty wherever and however you may find it.... Read more Read less

See it if Like moody, elegiac one man shows. Nice characterization, innovative light/projection design and use of set.

Don't see it if Looking for much of a plot, happy ending, or excitement. Can't stand one man shows

See it if you like violin playing

Don't see it if ytou dont like long speechs

See it if you like a good thought-provoking story about art and creating art, and the hardships that go along with it.

Don't see it if do not like small intimate plays.

See it if Music has played a strong role in your life in any way

Don't see it if You don’t have a love for the arts

See it if you appreciate original, imaginative, sensitive, stirring, intelligent playwrighting, acting, and set design in a virtually one-man show

Don't see it if you prefer dialogue to monologue, and action to stillness, and definitely not if you don't like the violin

See it if Extraordinary theatrical performance. Wonderful! The writing was especially exquisite and haunting at the end.

Don't see it if You hate great theatre

Also The story, performances and music🎻
were so touching and took us all
on a journey we’ll never forget.
I hope to see it a second time.... Read more Read less

See it if you like a show that draws on literary allusions and represents one person's moment of transcendence.

Don't see it if you don't want to see what is essentially a monologue.

See it if music and staging were interesting and creative. Narrated story was overwrought and never grabbed me- the core was not well developed.

Don't see it if You like fresh words and stories that are moving. The writing lacked the talent of the music and didn’t carry its’ weight.

See it if Canadian forever touched by memories of forgotten veteran custodial concerto virtuoso.Operatic."With music, the mind's traffic is silenced."

Don't see it if Apolitical multiple-role monologue w/ strings/vocalising."We were defined by wars we didn't follow America into/Same river, different Bush"

Also "I had it all; so; within the reach of my hand"

See it if you enjoy moving, intricate, vivid storytelling, classical violin music, coming of age stories, and reminiscence about the pain of USA wars

Don't see it if you prefer large casts, elaborate sets, costumes, and orchestra, multiple acts, comedies, musicals, or light themes, or you can’t sit 70 min

Also I have never seen a show at 59 E 59 Theatre that I did not adore. I have never met a Canadian whom I did not adore, and this show involves 3. I have never experienced a drama related to the Vietnam War that did not move me to sobs. Word to wise theatre lovers, especially American Boomers: Don’t miss this one. It may change your life.... Read more Read less

See it if You like classical music, the play starts with beautiful music in dark, it really evokes feelings, then it is followed by a narrator

Don't see it if You are not a fan of small, bare bone theater. You are waiting for action, drama, intensity.

See it if The consonance and dissonance of sounds in music are allegorical representations of the dreams, aspirations of humankind versus the violence

Don't see it if If you do not like classical music, since violin playing it is critical to the storytelling.

Also aggression and destruction of wars, the rat race, and lives without meaning or purpose. Excellent acting, music making, and staging.... Read more Read less

See it if you like Yann Martel in any form. But this short story is no Life of Pi & shouldn't be a 75 minute drama. Nothing dramatic happens

Don't see it if you expect an earth-shattering event to take place in this play. The narrator describes his (unseen) experience & his life doesn't change.

Also This boring script reminded me of a short story I wrote in about 6th grade, on a phenomenal life-changing event that, in hindsight, wasn't phenomenal at all.

I kept waiting for the earth-shattering event, which we don't hear or see. And nothing changes.

The really great thing in this piece is the original music written and performed by Jacques Mindreau, a superb violinist whom I'd like to see all alone on stage.

Otherwise, this play is just boring. There were a few amusing lines, but I couldn't wait to get out of this performance; 75 minutes was too long.

This show doesn't live up to expectations raised.

59E59 struck out again. At its current rate of disappointment this season, I will not rejoin the theater next year.

Especially since "discounted" member prices are 5 times higher than Show-Score prices, often listed long after I've bought at full member prices.... Read more Read less

See it if you've been at a loss for words over a piece of art, and find beauty in the ephemeral nature of music.

Don't see it if this show is one man telling a story about seeing a concert; it is not always riveting.

See it if you're in search of a tweak on the one-man-show: Anthony Black's literary monologue gets live violin accompaniment from Jacques Mindreau.

Don't see it if you heard "multimedia" and thought "razzle-dazzle." This production is barebones and its use of media is streamlined, if thoughtfully so.

Also Memorable Quote: "Sometimes with music, the mind's traffic is silenced."... Read more Read less

See it if you like classical music. A duet by actor & violin. I liked the violin. The actor's riffing was uninspiring.

Don't see it if Do do not like one man show

See it if It is a story of a man , simple story that wanted to become a writer but fell in love with music. Very touching simple story.

Don't see it if If you are looking for big stage with many actors.