Pillars of New York
About the show
Write Act Repertory Theater presents a musical about four couples struggling with the events surrounding 9/11. More…
As the mental and physical recovery for the couples plays out, therapist and author Jake Kelly evaluates his own personal loss and mortality. These stories explore the tapestry of the human condition through tragedy and triumph.
"'Pillars of New York' is an amateurish and maudlin musical that has its collection of stock characters caught up in the events and aftermath of 9/11...Antin’s trite book establishes his characters with the superficial tone of a 1970s disaster movie....The score is a serviceable collection of songs...Wedged into a dramatization of a horrendous historical event, they’re hollow and rarely achieve other than a filler quality...Though its intentions are noble, its execution is woefully inadequate." Full Review
"As boring as taxes sound to a musical theatre person, is as boring and unconstructed as Mr. Antin’s work in musical theatre is. His music is tuneless, goes off in obtuse ways that are annoying to the ear. His lyrics are so poorly layered that they seem mindless and his book is a pathetically written version of a small section of victims who lost their lives on 9/11...Projected images of 9/11 hit home and make this show even harder to take for the selfishness of it all." Full Review
for a previous production "I was hooked from the beginning by the engaging characters, music and song...This cast gave consummate performances...September 11th continues to be a sensitive subject. The choice to develop a piece that speaks to a collective, sacred event is to be handled with decorum and finesse. Writer/composer Michael Antin has successfully provided a theatrical experience worthy of our time and attention." Full Review
for a previous production "‘Pillars of New York’ is a fascinating, often riveting musical devoted to an exploration of the lives of a small group of New Yorkers deeply impacted by the horrific events of 9-11. These are all imperfect people, in other words very real...We are introduced to the people whose lives in some cases end and in others are forever changed by the attack of September 11th. This transformative event reveals to Jake the amazing strength of his fellow New Yorkers." Full Review
for a previous production "Antin sets his tale amid the horrors of 9/11, but his central figure doesn’t have the stature to pull it off...Once we have seen the stark projected images of the destruction of the Twin Towers and their chaotic aftermath, it’s hard to take Jake seriously...Many of Antin’s scenes are credible and effective, and they’re capably rendered by director Jim Blanchette, and faithfully served by the actors. But Antin’s songs seem thin and light-weight in the context." Full Review
See it if you like musicals
Don't see it if you get depressed by 911
See it if you are interested on a new musical's take (however narrow and at many times cliche) on 9/11.
Don't see it if you are interested in a more mature and nuanced take on a musicalized 9/11...the material does not support the weight of the event.
See it if you want to relive 9/11 on any level. Ambitious script, sort of leaves you hanging. Could have been better. Bit childish and manipulative.
Don't see it if your connection to 9/11 is too personal & you find any re-telling of that week disrespectful. We weren't offended, just disappointed.
See it if You would like to see what may have been going on in 4 different groups before and after 911
Don't see it if You can't deal with 911
See it if you like original musicals that are not necessarily about happy topics.
Don't see it if you are not ready to see a musical that deals with 9/11.
See it if you want to see actors struggle with underdeveloped characters and have to sing some really insipid lyrics and mostly lousy music.
Don't see it if You have no patience for mediocrity. You don't mind lyrics about subways going "clickety clack."
See it if You need to get out of the rain.
Don't see it if You're looking for a poignant story from 9/11. There were many, and this delivers none of it. It's trite, difficult to hear, insipid music
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