The Neurology of the Soul NYC Reviews and Tickets

73%

(48 Reviews)

Positive

60%

Mixed

40%

Negative

Members say

Thought-provoking, Intelligent, Clever, Great acting, Disappointing

About the Show

Untitled Theater Company No. 61 presents this new play examining the nexus between neuroscience, marketing, art, and love.

Set at a neuromarketing firm, "The Neurology of the Soul" follows a neuroscientist who is trying to scientifically define love, his wife, an artist who is using her brain scans as the basis of video self-portraits, a marketer who is trying to apply the science of love to advertising, and a gallery owner who deals with art as a commodity.

Member Reviews (48)

Banal, Overrated, Slow, Disappointing

See it if There is some good acting here. If you like slow plays. If your interested in science.

Don't see it if Very uneven, poorly written. It goes on and on.

Clever, Intelligent, Edgy, Relevant, Thought-provoking

See it if you would like good juxtaposition of marketing and human neurological response research presented in an entertaining way w/ good projections

Don't see it if you do not want to watch the ills of market techniques and relationship troubles by researchers with loved ones.

Intelligent, Relevant, Clever, Well presented, Interesting staging

See it if for the insightful blend of science & art that underpins the plot. The theater has artwork & post show interviews to support the theme.

Don't see it if you have triggering issues with brain explorations and MRIs.

Long, Smart, Engaging, A bit sentimental, Probing

See it if you’d like to see a piece that puts some of our civilization’s big ticket items on trial: love, science, need, commerce, fidelity, art…

Don't see it if you don’t think of the theater as a place you want to think. Read more

Absorbing, Clever, Edgy, Intelligent

See it if Thought provoking re: What if. Post performance talks by experts in the field.Nice use of videos.hope for a follow up when more info is ..

Don't see it if When actors behind the screen the voices need clarity.Post play interviewee when answer co host tended to talk to him and not the audience

Slow, Boring, Disappointing, Indulgent, Overrated

See it if Science and art can meld beautifully. Unfortunately they do not do so in this play. I never felt engaged by any of the actors. Do you agree

Don't see it if You need well developed characters rather than cardboard cut outs to enjoy a play. You are easily bored by slow moving stories on stage.

Banal, Great staging, Excruciating, Slow, Disappointing

See it if You really like a slooow sci-fi type romance.

Don't see it if You want an entertaining show. Best part of this is the stage sets.

Great acting, Interesting set and projections, Thought-provoking, Intelligent writing

See it if Neuroscientist scans wife’s brain to measure emotions (love). Results are used by his boss for product marketing and by his wife to make art

Don't see it if You don’t like intellectually challenging plays that examine what it means to be human, to love, appreciate art, make & sell things of value Read more

Critic Reviews (11)

"The production’s video design and sound are excellent, particularly when Amy’s exhibition takes over the set. But in a play that juxtaposes art and science, love and money, private thoughts and public data, it feels like technology might have gotten a disproportionate share of directorial attention. With the exception of Mr. Trumbull’s admirably nuanced Stephen, the performances don’t spring compellingly to life."
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"A fascinating, engaging, and ingenious evening of theatre...His text is rich with intellectual insights, spiritual musings, fast-paced dialogue, which could easily overwhelm an audience in concept. Yet, Einhorn has once again mastered an exhilarating balance of infusing a story with awe-inspiring ideas, characters we grow to deeply care about, and plenty of humor...Each scene seamlessly transitions blends into the next, taking us further into the complicated nature of love and relationships."
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"If you ever wanted to be loved only for your mind, this is the setup for you...Handled differently, it might have made for a sexy and stimulating evening...Amy and Stephen make a dullish pair...Einhorn's direction does little to put some starch into these slow-moving proceedings...The bones of the piece are good, but the execution is lackadaisical and lacking in emotional detail. As theatrical experiments go, the data is inconclusive."
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“While introducing many intellectually interesting ideas...The lack of stakes...in just about everything made it hard...to follow the emotional journey of the characters...The acting was universally ungrounded...As an intellectual exploration, ‘Neurology of the Soul’ gives the audience a lot to think about and presents really interesting ideas, however, it falls short in incorporating those ideas into an intellectual narrative...The play falls short of reaching your soul.”
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"In this smart and stimulating new play written and directed by Edward Einhorn, Stephen makes an unwelcome discovery, while the show delivers some fascinating and perhaps unwelcome information to the audience...If Einhorn has given his play a title that might prove a tad off-putting to anybody but neurologists who read Scientific American, the playwright has fashioned an accessible plot that is more or less a love triangle."
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“A must-see...With an intriguing backdrop linking neuroscience, art, marketing/branding and human relationships, Einhorn raises questions about ethics and justice in his beautifully constructed, dynamic and mind-blowing work...His exploration is at once humorous and frightening...Above all, his play alerts us to be on guard...’The Neurology of the Soul’ startles, thrills and absolutely shimmers with light.”
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"A fascinating creative deep dive into neuroscience and its application in 21st century marketing...This production makes you curious...It’s compulsive viewing...The play sits on a bedrock of a mountain of research. It is evident in the text, the premise, and the findings...All four performers give flawless performances...Einhorn’s powerful directorial vision is evident in every moment...A thought-provoking work...It’s thematically exhilarating and prompts hours of discussion post viewing."
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"Einhorn’s dissertational script demonstrates copious research on the matter of cognitive neuroscience...That said, the play may hold up to scientific scrutiny, but from a theatrical standpoint, 'Neurology' feels like Einhorn coloring in a thesis with a narrative, and the drama he tries to infuse to it makes for an uneven blend at best, and in some moments even undermines the science...All four of 'Neurology’s' talented cast struggle to accordingly flesh out soulless roles."
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