The Radicalization of Rolfe (FringeNYC)
A FringeNYC Encore: Austria, the 1930s. Messenger boy Rolfe, 17 (going on 18) is about to discover that forbidden sex and the Third Reich don't mix. This dark comedy proves that B-characters have a destiny, too.
... Read moreIt's Salzburg, Austria in the last golden days of the 1930s. Rolfe is trying to rise in the ranks of the new order. Unfortunately, he's stuck delivering messages to a certain widowed naval captain with seven children, and flirting with the eldest daughter under the watchful eye of the children's new governess from nearby Nonnberg Abbey. Rolfe quickly discovers that the conflicts between his ambition and his sexuality pose life and death consequences.
- Official Site
- 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Already closed
- Soho Playhouse Main Stage (Soho/Tribeca)
Cast & Creatives (9)
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Reviews (80)
12 Critics' Reviews
"Bergh has tried fervently to escape the shackles of the source, but they don't release easily...Bergh has plenty of points to make, but they have trouble landing amid all the comedic landmines...It may feel like a lot of filler. This is not because of the actors, who are competent and professional (if never exciting), or director Abigail Zealey Bess, who's staged things with the most kitchen-sink fidelity possible in this format. There's just nowhere for them to go with the material." Full Review
"A uniquely witty original take-off on 'The Sound of Music'...The script is clever and amusing, as it challenges the audience to recognize the well-known show tunes from which they’re taken. But the funny pop-culture references are underscored with intimate views of the devastating effects inherent in the familiar historical themes of socio-political indoctrination, intolerance, and work-camp atrocities that drive the play." Full Review
for a previous production "A play that was just as much fun as — and cleverer than — it promised to be...In Abigail Zealey Bess’s tone-perfect production, Rolfe (Logan Sutherland) is gay and closeted, unable to stay away from the sweet, teasing Johan (Alex J. Gould). The two are so lovely together that you’ll root for them, and that’s part of the point. Filled with 'Sound of Music' jokes, yet unblinking about the realities of 1930s Austria, this is a lark of a play with sadness at its core." Full Review
for a previous production "A darkly funny new drama…An intriguing look at what might have been if the original property had gone darker. In Abigail Zealey Bess' well-honed production, there are a lot of great belly laughs…But it's not afraid to go deeper, and Sutherland beautifully plays his character's inner conflict, especially in the wrenching last scene. The Von Trapps might make it over the mountain, but Rolfe learns the hard way that Liesl isn't the only one who's totally unprepared to face a world of men." Full Review
for a previous production "Not a campy spoof...I suppose there are good reasons why Bergh’s play shouldn’t work. But it did for me, in part because it’s a fascinating exercise to re-view 'The Sound of Music' from the oblique perspective of some of its minor characters…Director Bess takes the material seriously and ratchets up the tension, aided by the fine acting of its five-member cast…Above all, Logan Sutherland makes for a believable Rolfe...For all the inevitability of the ending, it is no less chilling." Full Review
for a previous production "'The Radicalization of Rolfe' is an interesting angle of a lesser-shared narrative utilizing a well-known story. But it completely confuses the tone...Bergh’s play gets tonally confused as the only moments people laugh are through the well-timed references to the score. If we’re supposed to find light in the situation, Bergh truly needs to go further with the humor...'Rolfe' is a brilliant concept that wasn’t as well executed as it needed to be." Full Review
for a previous production “Getting comic mileage with just a few choice bits of song, lyrics and dialogue from its source, Bergh's play is otherwise soundly and commendably rooted in its serious depiction of Nazi indoctrination of youth...It only takes five chairs, one table and five fine actors to create the dispiriting ambiance of late 1930s Salzburg under the smooth direction of Abigail Zealey Bess, who moves things forward with short and snappy confrontational scenes that afford increasingly emotional content." Full Review
for a previous production “Fortunately, Bergh has some amusing tricks up his sleeve, and ‘Rolfe’, has some giggles along its protracted way, leading up to a genuinely, unexpectedly chilling fade out. It just doesn’t add up to a lot...So, is there humor in these supporting-character antics? Yes, but a lot of it is of the most obvious sort...There’s not a lot of subtext or physicality to the proceedings; about all director Abigail Zealey Bess can do is keep the pace brisk, and she manages that.” Full Review
for a previous production "The highlight of the show was the depiction of the loving relationship between Rolfe and Johan. Logan Sutherland, a talented, charismatic actor with a strong stage presence, was perfectly cast as Rolfe Gruber. Alex J. Gould's natural acting style was well-suited for his portrayal of Johan...You won't regret seeing 'The Radicalization of Rolfe.' While it needs a little touching up, you will still have a very good time at this show." Full Review
for a previous production "Allusions to 'Sound of Music' are acknowledged unabashedly in the writing and provide a welcome comedic edge to an inherently dark story. If a good number of references undoubtedly went over my head, the cast’s impressive ability to play to the truth of the text meant this never bothered me...Certainly 'Rolfe' will appeal to fans of 'Sound of Music;' what's perhaps even more important is that it will also appeal to those who might not count the classic musical among their favorite things." Full Review
for a previous production “There are plenty of knowing winks to the audience here to entertain ‘Sound of Music’ fans...Though these references certainly stand out, they don’t feel out of place with the rest of the play, whose witty tone makes the show a pleasure to watch...At the same time, the production deals with some heavy subject matter, and 'Rolfe' manages to balance its wit and cheery show tune references perfectly with its weighty take on the Nazi Party’s rise...The production unsettles even as it entertains." Full Review
for a previous production “Broad puns, corny references to Rodgers & Hammerstein and an obscure yet relevant allusion to Marvel's Red Skull are all in the mix. But Bergh doesn’t just crank out meta jokes...The dramatic stakes help move 'The Radicalization of Rolfe' beyond mere spoof, and offer characters of some depth (feelingly acted by a strong cast)...To be sure, Bergh’s humor caters to a distinct niche—camp-loving History Channel and Broadway buffs—but the Players Theatre was alive with the sound of laughter.” Full Review
68 Members' Reviews
See it if You enjoyed The Sound of Music and want a different look at what might have been happening. With wonderful little tributes to the movie.
Don't see it if Good acting mixed with mediocre acting. Occasional cringe worthy dialogue.
See it if you are a fan of The Sound of Music and would enjoy a clever back-story on Rolph.
Don't see it if you want something complex and challenging or if you don't know the musical at all.
See it if You want clever writing which thoughtfully and compellingly explores the lives of non-central characters from famous stories.
Don't see it if You're not prepared for themes of loyalty, strength, and sexuality -- all wrapped in the charm of the margins of a beloved story.
See it if You are interested in a mature speculation about what was going on behind the scenes in the Sound of Music.
Don't see it if You don't want your Sound of Music illusions shattered, or are uncomfortable with same-sex relationships or references to the Holocaust.
See it if You'd ever (or never!) wondered about Rolfe. In depth look into a conflicted gay young man discovering himself and his place in the world.
Don't see it if You take issue with humanizing Nazis, playing around with The Sound of Music, or a gay backbone to a story. Some v strong performance-& fun~
See it if you'd like a serious, yet clever & funny, well written, smoothly directed & very well acted alternate take on Liesl's Sound of Music beau.
Don't see it if you've no interest in plays that reference other plays; dislike the von Trapps and/or Nazis; or are disturbed by male displays of affection.
Also The Sound of Music, like The Wizard of Oz or It’s a Wonderful Life — i... Read more Read less
See it if You know the story of The Sound of Music-it helps with the underlying story & humor. Like performance of the back stories of lesser chacters
Don't see it if you think it will be a musical or campy production of SOM or offended by a cherished character that may have a 'deviant' dark side.
See it if you like the Sound of Music.
Don't see it if you don't like the Sound of Music, or you don't want to watch a play that deals with topics like Nazis and the Holocaust.
See it if you're a sound of music fan
Don't see it if you need big budget entertainment
See it if You want to be entertained. You can enjoy a show that deals with diversity. You don't take life and plays so seriously. Want to laugh.
Don't see it if You take life too seriously. You are offended by two men having relations and seeing a Nazi armband. You don't want to laugh.
See it if love the Sound of Music or WWII drama.
Don't see it if you're expecting the equivalent of Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead. Rolfe is not that clever.
See it if Professional acting. Schizophrenic script. Audience came to be amused by Sound of Music allusions but they were sprinkled in a dark drama
Don't see it if The 3 older cast members were pros. The 2 boys were almost as good. The laughs gained by SOM allusions grew more and more inappropriate
Also I liked it but this would have been better as a straight (so to speak)... Read more Read less
See it if you love "The Sound of Music," like "campy" humor, enjoy plays that mix comedy and tragedy and like seeing new plays.
Don't see it if you'll freak out over gay love scenes; dislike shows that are a spin off of others; aren't familiar with "The Sound of Music."
See it if you want to see one of the best Fringe plays this summer. A funny yet thoughtful companion to "The Sound of Music" with a darker message.
Don't see it if you can't stand the frequent and funny references to "The Sound of Music".
See it if sexual politics during WWII interest you - Rolfe's transformation into a Nazi and his eventual capitulation to their regime feels believable
Don't see it if you're a diehard Sound of Music fan who'll be disappointed by cheap jokes based on lyrics and by constant summarizing of the original's plot
See it if Clever, well written & acted work. Intriguing 'backstory' to Sound of Music both funny & profound
Don't see it if challenging work around themes of sexual difference and xenophopia disturb
See it if If you are interested in historical fact wrapped in fictional characters - like Sound of Music? References entwine with drama
Don't see it if If you are expecting a comedy or musical. If you don't like transporting characters from one plot to another. WW2 painful
See it if you enjoyed "The Sound of Music", like back stories about the von Trapp family, or simply love to laugh (except for the final five minutes)
Don't see it if you don't think you can find any humor in Nazi Germany/Austria.
See it if You need your social justice leavened with a great deal of inside Sound of Music humor.
Don't see it if Long sit down scenes of confrontation bore you.
See it if you are curious about Rolf, and would like to see a well-conceived imaginary back story. Also, you get an effective gay perspective on era.
Don't see it if Nazi's tend to creep you out.
Also In 90 minutes, you get a mini-spoof of the SOM, an intriguing back sto... Read more Read less
See it if You are a fan of the Sound of Music
Don't see it if You are a Sound of Music purist
See it if You love The Sound of Music so much that you'll see anything that references it. You're intrigued by back story shows like Wicked.
Don't see it if You want a show that has decided whether it's a light-hearted spoof or a serious examination of the rise of Nazism in 1930's Salzburg.
Also This show has great potential but the people responsible for it have t... Read more Read less
See it if You are a diehard fan of The Sound of Music (as I am) and would like to see a different take on some of the other characters in the story.
Don't see it if You expect to see Maria singing "My Favorite Things" although there are many references to Maria and The Captain.
See it if You enjoy famous stories told from another perspective. Are familiar with "the sound of music"
Don't see it if Are upset by nazi portrayals and the dangers of homophobia under their regime.