Red State Blue State NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (142)
See it if You like 1 man comedy about politics It’s quick witted and clever
Don't see it if You want a fancy set and big production
See it if you like politically-charged stand-up comedy.
Don't see it if you think that with all the talking heads and comics taking potshots at Washington already, we don't need another. Read more
See it if You enjoy comedy at all, not to worry what side of the political divide you are, he makes fun of everyone, in a smart way. The show flies by
Don't see it if You can't laugh at "yourself" politically or don't like stand up.
See it if you enjoy political comedy, one-man shows, stand-up comedy, and like to be presented with different points of view
Don't see it if you cannot laugh at yourself, don't like to mix politics and humor, don't enjoy stand-up comedy
See it if You like colin Quinn and need to laugh at the state of our country
Don't see it if You’ve had it with politics or are expecting a play- this is stand up meets history class
See it if You are a fan of Quinn or you enjoy politically charged (liberal-leaning) standup.
Don't see it if You don't like standup, politics, or you are looking for more of a "show." This is essentially a long standup set about a single theme.
See it if You want a funny and enjoyable talk on today's politics.
Don't see it if You're looking for ground that hasn't already been well-covered by comics recently.
See it if you like stand-up comedy. Colin is funny but he doesn't really shed any new light on the red state/blue state divide.
Don't see it if you're expecting the well-researched piece like his former play, A New York Story. By comparison, this left me a little disappointed.
Critic Reviews (23)
“Quinn dwells upon consequential topics of American debate such as democracy, free speech, and equality, and impartially treats them all with plainspoken, humorous disrespect...The humorist winds up his 75-minute consideration of America on the rocks with a bravura peroration during which he disses every state in the nation...The takeaway is not bitter. Spending time with Quinn as he grouses away is like sharing a couple of friendly beers with the neighborhood curmudgeon.”
Read more
"With his own spin on Don Rickles-style insult humor, Quinn hilariously skewers each of the 50 states...Bursts of perfectly crafted one-liners constructed in the classic form of set ups and punchlines, skillfully composed observational riffs and occasionally addressing audience members directly, all sustain 'Red State Blue State’s' 75 minutes...Continuing the great tradition of Carlin, in 'Red State Blue State,' Quinn executes political humor with the artistry of an accomplished comedian."
Read more
“Quinn keeps comforting the audience with his light hearted approach to our most pressing dilemmas...Quinn sticks it to us rather mildly but with just enough bite to occasionally make us wince...Quinn has some very funny and astute observations...Quinn paints a portrait of our nation's future that is as warmly caustic as it is harshly comical. Those who have enjoyed and been invigorated by Quinn's perspective in previous shows will assuredly embrace this one.”
Read more
"I wouldn’t say I agree with a lot of Quinn’s positions, but he’s intelligent, thought-provoking, funny, and he doesn't play favorites. Although the ending, in which he names every state and gives an example of how each one is uniquely terrible, is largely uninspired and not all that witty. One might wonder how many people in the audience will agree with Quinn on what’s wrong with America. But I don’t think that’s really the point."
Read more
“Although Quinn disparages most of the immediate world, he does it with a light touch. He also repurposes and recycles his material, and makes it work...Quinn understands that we are walking around with blinders on, and he does not condemn us for that. Instead he steps into our field of vision and makes it impossible to look away. Quinn makes you smile as you squirm. Quinn is a comedian who sticks to your ribs. Bravo.”
Read more
“The Saturday Night Live alumnus manages to insult every single state of the union...It’s a baffling routine, almost tedious and even tacky...Quinn’s riff isn’t especially clever and can’t withstand scrutiny...To be fair, there are funnier moments...Perhaps enough to please his most ardent fans...Unlike such comedians as Seth Meyers and Stephen Colbert, Quinn’s jokes don’t feel rooted in political passion. His jokes float away from current affairs and don’t always make their way back.”
Read more
“An evening of musings on the current chasm in American political discourse...Quinn’s patented style of ‘nobody is spared’ comedy is a welcome tonic for these troubled Trumpian times...As always, Quinn’s delivery is as inimitable as his comic writing is sublime...’Red State, Blue State’ is a zippy evening that provides as many laughs as opportunities for self-examination...And even though he’s not able to offer any solutions...He is, however, able to unite everyone for 70 minutes.”
Read more
"Quinn places the blame for our current state of affairs where it may mostly rightly belong: on the founding fathers themselves, who crafted an incredibly imperfect Constitution - and then died before fixing it - and on today's citizens, who he states have taken the ideas of freedom, equality and democracy to untenable extremes. This may all sound crazy on paper, but as Quinn espouses his theories, you'll simultaneously laugh out loud while thinking he actually makes some sense."
Read more