The Crusade of Connor Stephens NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (135)
See it if you enjoy a great drama. One action brings so much reaction and changes all the characters' lives. Excellent acting and very relevant.
Don't see it if you like comedy.
See it if You want to understand religious hypocrisy and its effect on a family.
Don't see it if You need lots of action.
See it if you want to see a moving play dealing with LBGT issues versus organized religion.
Don't see it if you don't want to see a playwright's first play with emotional issues.
See it if you want to be surprised in a great way like I was.
Don't see it if you think its going to be a big broadway show, yes that play is located on broadway but not a broaday show. Not much bad to say Read more
See it if you would like to see matters of tolerance, religion and acceptance handled maturely
Don't see it if you expect something light; it's serious
See it if you enjoy well written & acted contemporary drama exploring themes of loss, religion, gay adoption, hate, violence,& dysfunctional families.
Don't see it if you are offended by realistic portrayals of evangelicals using religion to espouse hatred. Sorry if my bias shows in this comment.
See it if Family melodrama of fundamentalist religiosity, same-sex marriage and gun violence. Intense plot,relevant issues and good acting. Well done
Don't see it if you are looking for light entertainment. Inconsolable sadness leavened by Granny's pathos and humor. Loved the boys, too. Read more
See it if You would like a well-acted, riveting show regarding a hate crime. Despite the confusing about-turn in attitude by the mother - worthwhile.
Don't see it if You want a fluffy show or don't like intense dramas dealing with religious beliefs.
Critic Reviews (12)
"While the intensity of Moss’s theme sometimes crosses the line into melodrama and histrionics, the impassioned beliefs contained in the story are not unfamiliar. A compelling cast of eight displays the characters’ deeply felt emotions...The final family showdown lacks credibility...It seems counter-intuitive that the inflamed characters would wait patiently to be heard...A powerful examination of important issues that plague our society, shining a spotlight on bigotry."
Read more
“A very complex and illuminating family drama about acceptance, loss, religion, and hate…The play cunningly reveals each character’s values and builds to a climax that forces each to take action…However, the current production does not fully realize the potential of the play…Mr. Moss’ direction once again demonstrates that playwrights should let someone else direct their works...This production is still worth seeing for a New York audience."
Read more
"James Kiberd as the patriarch is wonderful...He endows Big Jim with surprising nuance and even sympathy...The positioning of the players at certain points in the play is a master class in stage direction...The ending is a touch too facile; what had been an hour and 45 minutes of carefully layered exposition and a study in familial relationships takes a surprising turn toward sentimentality...This concern notwithstanding, the drama isn’t forced for much of the play."
Read more
“Moss treats all perspectives with equal compassion, and shows that both sides can sometimes be guilty of finger-pointing…A well-cast ensemble embodies these contradictions effectively, but they are somewhat inhibited by the limitations of the production. Moss exhibits good directorial instincts, but the venue itself seems to fighting him…These problems will likely diminish if ‘Crusade’ gets a longer run in a theater the right size and shape. It deserves to.”
Read more