Shining City NYC Reviews and Tickets

"It's a sad and often funny group portrait of isolation, guilt and despair...Ciarán O'Reilly's tautly directed production retains its rich Celtic flavor and seamless blends the script's humor and sadness…It's Broderick's best performance in years…Complementary as John and Ian's stories are it's their different tonality that makes 'Shining City' such a good play. While John's revelations have many comical elements, all played to the hilt by Broderick, Ian's problems are much more complex."
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"A haunting and haunted revival...Directed by the insightful Ciarán O’Reilly...These characters find their individual paths to coupling and some connection...Amidst the sadness, there is a natural ironic humor in the telling and Conor McPherson tells it so well. Some might find this play somewhat repetitive and talkie but it touches the very core of human existence with outstanding performances by a committed cast well situated in the dreary setting by Charlie Corcoran."
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"The roles of penitent and priest and client and therapist often become reversed in Mr. McPherson’s engaging and complex script...Under Ciarán O’Reilly’s meticulous and clean direction, the cast of 'Shining City' captures the full range of human emotions including those often roiling beneath the surface waiting to offer redemption and release if expressed. Matthew Broderick gives his character John a sensitive believability that is expressed in dialogue and in lengthy monologues."
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"The play is an absorbing examination of lonely, and guilt-racked modern Dubliners...McPherson, a master of Mamet-like, disconnected, everyday language, offers a five-scene plot with little action but fertile chatter that twines itself around your ears and won’t let go...The chief hindrance is Broderick’s reliance on that single tone of friendly, boyish appeal and touch of physical stiffness that pervades much of his work...He’s unable to capture the role’s darker, emotionally painful colors."
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"Revived in sure-footed if straightforward fashion...Broderick brings a winning helplessness to John and conveys the sense of a man struggling to find the language for ideas he never thought he’d articulate…Structure has never been McPherson’s strong point and in 'Shining City' you can see him struggling to balance the work of dialogue with the monologues he gravitates to...It’s in the longer speeches, particularly John’s, that the play acquires much of its power."
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"Seeing Matthew Broderick ace his role as a troubled widower is enough of a reason to see the Irish Repertory Theatre’s revival, astutely directed by Ciaran O’Reilly. This is Broderick at his best in a difficult role...We have tight portraits that the playwright smartly gives us, with the penetrating dialogue along the way. I still do not care for the play’s gimmicky and cheapening ending...Whatever your reaction, the performance by Broderick is well worth seeing."
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"A very satisfying revival…While Broderick, rocking a believable Irish accent, doesn't move too far from the phlegmatic behavior that has marred his recent performances, he finds a way to put that lethargy to good—and effective—use here...The result is that the performance—and the play that surrounds it—is a wonderful way for the Irish Rep to celebrate its newly renovated home and to mark what could be the beginning of a renaissance for Broderick's career."
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“This amazing production finely elucidated by director Ciarán O’Reilly stars Matthew Broderick as John in a memorable, gripping performance. His portrayal magnifies the range of his skill and depth as an actor; he is mesmerizing in a difficult role which he seamlessly conveys with his brilliant acting instrument...This is a sterling revival of McPherson’s work...It is a must see.”
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