The Whirligig
Closed 2h 30m
The Whirligig
72

The Whirligig NYC Reviews and Tickets

72%
(140 Ratings)
Positive
67%
Mixed
25%
Negative
8%
Members say
Great acting, Disappointing, Absorbing, Slow, Confusing

About the Show

The New Group presents Hamish Linklater's new drama about a fractured community weaving a circuitous route back to one another. ​Starring Zosia Mamet ('Girls') and two-time Tony winner Norbert Leo Butz.

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Show-Score Member Reviews (140)

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90 Reviews | 19 Followers
83
Absorbing, Ambitious, Great staging, Quirky

See it if you enjoy Norbert Leo Butz. Have a soft spot for quirky characters.

Don't see it if you are triggered by drug abuse or have abandonment issues.

441 Reviews | 88 Followers
83
Absorbing, Clever, Great acting, Riveting, Masterful

See it if Beautifully written and produced play about family and friends relationships.A psychological look at the results of early unmet needs.

Don't see it if If you prefer light dramas or musicals.

115 Reviews | 61 Followers
83
Attractive new staging,, Very well acted,, Good to look at and compelling., It's somewhat of a challenge to follow clearly, yet still understand most., Worthwhile, for sure.

See it if You want a well staged comedic drama with interesting quirky characters. Small theater, higher production values evident.

Don't see it if Some convolution in story doesn't bother you. You need to be strongly moved in a drama.

184 Reviews | 17 Followers
82
Relevant, Thought-provoking, Intense, Well acted, Great staging

See it if you enjoy serio-comic plays, quite relevant to our world, leaving you with something to discuss.

Don't see it if you want show-stopping dance numbers or belly laughs. Not for children.

146 Reviews | 36 Followers
82
Absorbing, Clever, Entertaining, Great acting, Intelligent

See it if You want to see some great acting and an interesting story. Much better than I expected after reading a bunch of reviews.

Don't see it if I liked it I think you should see it.

91 Reviews | 83 Followers
80
Great staging, Thought-provoking, Great acting

See it if You're a fan of any of the cast. Great staging and acting.

Don't see it if You're looking for something light

186 Reviews | 53 Followers
80
Great acting, Funny, Sad, Thought-provoking, Interesting set

See it if You like sad but funny, well acted shows.

Don't see it if You have trouble dealing with addiction issues.

191 Reviews | 58 Followers
80
Interesting, Great acting, Indulgent

See it if you enjoy A play based less on action and more on emotions - goes back and forth in time. I liked it better than the reviews. Loved NLB

Don't see it if You do not like family dysfunctional drama plays. The idea of drug abuse and/or alcoholism bothers you.

Critic Reviews (41)

Lighting & Sound America
May 30th, 2017

“Intricately plotted, yet emotionally indistinct…What is surprising is how little the revelations matter. If ‘The Whirligig’ offered a psychological acuity to match the rigorousness of its plotting, it would have really been something…In the end, we are asked to care about Julie largely because she is young and fatally ill. After two and a quarter hours of sound and fury signifying so little, this simply isn't reason enough.”
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Talkin' Broadway
May 21st, 2017

"Quirky, tender, and often quite funny...The play's broad and ambitious theme of our collective responsibility to one another in this crazy world takes a back seat to the production itself. The power of the play lies within its individual scenes, each of which is a self-contained mini-drama...Credit Scott Elliott's direction...and the outstanding performances by a stellar and eminently talented cast for making 'The Whirligig' as fully engaging as it assuredly is."
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TheaterScene.net
June 6th, 2017

“When Jon DeVries as Mr. Cormeny says a few minutes before the end of Hamish Linklater's second New York play, ‘The Whirligig,’ ‘That's a lot to digest,’ he isn't kidding. Most of this two hour and 20 minute play is exposition of the kind which gives background and information. It isn't until almost the final scene that all the pieces fall into place and the audience knows how all of the eight characters are connected.”
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CurtainUp
May 21st, 2017

"Anyone giving this somewhat self-indulgently long, complex drama the called for close attention will be well rewarded. Linklater has created a rich tapestry of inter-connected lives. He writes terrific dialogue, full of wonderful literary references...Norbert Leo Butz is ideally cast as Michael, the father who's always ready with a funny routine even when his heart is breaking...The cast overall is outstanding."
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Theatre is Easy
May 21st, 2017

"An exquisitely composed play...Director Scott Elliott has a way of clarifying the play's labyrinthine connections...Everything fits together organically to propel the narrative forward, without being singularly overwhelming. An ensemble of masterful actors also perfects the intimacy...The play is a thoughtful balance of characters and plot, an intricate design without a single wasted stoke. Each loose end gets tied up, and everything has a satisfying payoff."
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Theater Pizzazz
May 21st, 2017

"The conversations are quick-witted, filled with some terrific comedy lines...It’s a thought-provoking dramedy that will leave you feeling uncomfortable, with real impact...The high-level performances and complexity of this entwined ensemble are quite remarkable, making it difficult to highlight any one specific actor as each is a standout. Scott Elliott’s precision direction creates powerful storytelling on the brilliant turntable set design by Derek McLane."
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Front Row Center
May 22nd, 2017

"The writing, combined with fine, fine performances and a sensitive touch by director Scott Elliott, make for a mighty fine evening of theatre. So fine that a person could almost forget that this play needs a trim...Linklater is in no hurry to move the plot along, which causes the story to get bogged down. What saves everything is his masterful work creating these characters. Each person is a fully formed hunk of damaged goods...A jewel in the making. So close."
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Stage Buddy
May 30th, 2017

“Linklater’s dialogue is sharp and intelligent, and he finds a fine balance of comedy...The formidable ensemble cast carries it off remarkably well…Though some threads remain tangled and big revelations towards the end lead to lopsided emotional reactions, director Scott Elliott choreographs an intricate deep-dive into a not-unfamiliar community, letting a mighty bunch of actors throw their weight into a heart-tugging exploration of the bonds formed, uniquely, by loss.”
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