The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Lyra Theater, 2016) NYC Reviews and Tickets

70%

(18 Reviews)

Positive

78%

Mixed

Negative

17%

Members say

Great acting, Relevant, Absorbing, Intense, Resonant

About the Show

Lyra Theater updates Bertolt Brecht's 1941 satire about a demagogue coming to power in a democratic state to present-day America. Any resemblance to living persons is entirely coincidental.

Days before a major election, a low-level campaign worker opens a mysterious envelope. What he discovers transforms his perspective on power and politics in America. In this volatile moment, this modernized production of 'Arturo Ui' asks what happens when democracy becomes a circus and a nation's imagination runs wild?

Member Reviews (18)

Thought-provoking, Slow, Clever, Resonant

See it if you enjoy Brecht's symbolic use of the stage to comment on politics. Although Ui is supposed to represent Hitler, Trump fits the profile.

Don't see it if you are looking for surprises. This is a really well done but very predictable play. Like going to the opera with less singing.

Dramatizes steep political price to pay in allowing power-hungry thug to rise to lead govt; raul esparza turns in one of the most brilliantly campy performances of the year

See it if Esparza dramatizes, hilariously & chillingly, the steps in the development of a monstrous autocrat

Don't see it if you're not a fan of declamatory, heavily didactic Brechtian allegory/rise of Chicago mob = Nazis Read more

Ambitious, Great acting, Relevant, Resonant

See it if you enjoy a great parallel to the political environment we live in today

Don't see it if the parallels to Chicago vegetable thugs and Hitler do not resonate with you

Disappointing, Overrated, Intense

See it if Chicago crime in the 1930s intrigues you. Lots of threats carried out, but I prefer Al Capone.

Don't see it if the behavior of an obscure gangster does not interest you

Misinterpreted, misdirected, interminable

See it if you are so committed to Brecht that you can tolerate any misguided production just to see rarely produced plays

Don't see it if you expect any subtlety of interpretation, direction or action. I felt sorry for a clearly very talented cast. Read more

Absorbing, Great acting, Great writing, Intelligent, Resonant

See it if Rise of Hitler in Brechtian satire set in Chicago vegetable trade; speaks to business community complicity which resonates today

Don't see it if You don’t like Brecht heavy handed explication but this ensemble is terrific and worth the experience

Absorbing, Clever, Intense, Resonant, Relevant

See it if You want to see how a man rose to power and the people came under his will. Very resonant to the climate now. Actors were all great.

Don't see it if You do not like dictator parodies.

Absorbing, Great acting

See it if see it for Raul Esparza and the rest of the company. See it for the satire and the great direction.

Don't see it if you aren't prepared to think or you don't want to see something a little too relevant to our current political situation Read more

Critic Reviews (1)

"The company has inherited the play’s legacy, showing its relevance and making the piece an important theatrical examination of morality. It is a true testament to what theatre-makers can, and should, do...Director Noam Shapiro makes excellent choices to illuminate the complex story. The eight-person ensemble portrays over forty characters with astonishing clarity...It is superbly original and immediate, and exactly the right way to tackle the societal issues we all face today."
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