The Radicalization of Rolfe (FringeNYC) NYC Reviews and Tickets
About the Show
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.
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See it if You like funny plays that still manage to address serious issues. LGBT plays interest you.
Don't see it if You've never seen or don't like "The Sound of Music"
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. Read more
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 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 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 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'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. Read more
Critic Reviews (12)
"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."
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"'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."
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“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.”
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"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."
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