The Woodsman NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (280)
See it if You enjoy Wizard of Oz, creativity, a thrilling and beautiful piece of art, theater and entertainment.
Don't see it if You need dialogue
See it if You are human! One of the most amazing, unusual and affecting shows I have ever seen.
Don't see it if No reason not to see it.
See it if You like the Wizard of Oz
Don't see it if You don't like anything experimental
See it if you want a truly beautiful piece of theatre that tells a great story through the simplest of actions. The set & puppetry will blow you away.
Don't see it if you're not a fan of representational theatre. You must be able to suspend your disbelief to appreciate the puppetry and miming.
See it if Riveting and original, truly what you expect great theater to be. It leave you thinking and feeling.
Don't see it if If you are expecting to see a typical play with dialog. But this is wonderful theater and art.
See it if You want something original and different. It is the backstory to the tin man from wizard of oz. so very cleverly done.
Don't see it if You don't know wizard of oz story.
See it if you like theatre that doesn't follow the regular format. This show is mainly movement driven and their isn't a lot of dialogue
Don't see it if You need dialogue or words when watching a show
See it if you like the story of the Wizard of Oz and would like to see a different take on it.
Don't see it if you will not enjoy a show that is almost entirely silent.
Critic Reviews (29)
"The story is told masterfully told...It has the theatrical precision of a Sondheim, the heart of a Tennessee Williams, and the drama of an Arthur Miller...The company quite literally breathes life into this production, and in that they are flawless...I had to wipe tears from my eyes because something so pure, simple, and honest occurred on the stage...See this once-in-a-lifetime theatrical experience."
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"A prime example of theater that is bold precisely because it’s a bit old-fashioned...Part of what makes this company refreshing is their ambitious and rigorous approach...There were several moments in this production that reveal the fact that these are relatively nascent young artists...Hopefully, with time, this company will gain the confidence to quiet the inner critic that is overly concerned with making work that is understood rather than work that is felt and experienced."
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"An inventive, magical journey empowered to be told with sparse dialogue, beautiful haunting music, ingeniously captivating puppets, and a remarkable cast that is able to embody and exude endless natural sounds and conjure up an array of heartfelt emotions...Do yourself a favor and luxuriate your senses in this impassioned production of 'The Woodsman.'"
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"There is no question that it is heartfelt, and beautiful to look at; that James Ortiz is deeply talented; that the nine other performers are a dedicated ensemble, who even breathe as if one: We see their unified breath at both the beginning and the end of the show...Everything is tasteful and inventive, languid and lovely, and, to me, a tad tedious...It’s not their fault I left feeling like W.C. Fields, wondering if Toto’s origin story is next."
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"Combining elegantly choreographed movement, sensitive music, imaginative puppetry, and a minimum of spoken language, it offers 70 uninterrupted minutes of theatre magic that can be enjoyed by both adults and children...‘The Woodsman’ is ensemble theatre at its best, but that doesn’t disguise the fact that in James Ortiz, a lanky young Abe Lincoln-type with a memorably unruly shock of hair, it has a special kind of genius at its helm."
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"James Ortiz is a man of many talents. He is not only the playwright, but the set and puppet designer, co-director and star of this imaginative version of the back story of the Tin Man from 'The Wizard of Oz'...The play’s various elements blend seamlessly to produce an enchanted world. The use of puppets is the finest I have seen since 'War Horse'. If you are intrigued by inventive stagecraft, you will have a fine time. If you prefer your storytelling more conventional, you may be unhappy."
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"Inspired by the story of the Tin Man, 'The Woodsman' is a beautiful reimagining of a beloved tale using puppets, song, and a whole lot of heart...Using very little dialogue, extraordinary puppets, a singular violin underscore, and an ensemble of superb storytellers, 'The Woodsman' is a reminder that anything is possible in theater...'The Woodsman' is a true example of ensemble. The nine piece company moved and breathed as one. And it was enthralling."
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"There’s precious little speaking in 'The Woodsman,' an achingly beautiful play combining puppetry and music that purports to explain how the Tin Man, from the Land of Oz, lost his heart...'The Woodsman' leaves us wondering if Nick will ever experience affection, but there’s no doubt he can feel pain. His guttural anguish after being reunited with Nimmee is full of humanity."
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