Van Gogh's Ear NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (44)
See it if to explore synesthesia, Van Gogh's, via letters/gorgeous projections/music; love between brothers; society v emotionally 'different' artist
Don't see it if prefer linear drama, not interested in VG or theme of artists in society
See it if you want to see a truly unique hybrid entertainment.
Don't see it if you're looking for a comedy or you don't want to be challenged.
See it if you want a to see and hear a beautiful blending of chamber music, vocal recital and theater, The staging is exquisite.
Don't see it if you are looking for a traditional play or musical. This may not be for you, Also, if classical music is not your thing.
See it if combo amazing projections VG paintings, VG movingly played by Carter Hudson, fine lieder/instrumental ensemble evoking VG's inner turmoil
Don't see it if much more successful as a concert than a play; but over time this "tone poem" makes you sense the manic pain behind VG's unique art
See it if You want a one man show mixed with a chamber music concert and a lieder recital . ..all excellent , amazing projections too
Don't see it if None of those things appeal to you
See it if You like something different, multi-media theater, interesting staging.
Don't see it if You expect a traditional theater experience, don't like classical music and singing. Read more
See it if you're open to an unusual mixture of drama, projections and music. A fascinating story, amplified by the music and art.
Don't see it if you want straight-forward plot movement and dislike innovative takes on a well-known story.
See it if Highly theatrical choral poem about Van Gogh's tortured life Concept heavy but well sung w/excellent chamber music & Hudson's fine Van Gogh
Don't see it if Interaction of musical elements & script often stodgy & lacking fluidity Works better in parts rather than as a whole but often moving
Critic Reviews (17)
"It often exudes an uncanny beauty and emotionalism that evoke the state of hellish pain and holy wonder in which its title character existed. It helps that van Gogh is embodied by the actor Carter Hudson...'Van Gogh’s Ear' can initially come across as too consciously and carefully 'artistic'...But the thoughtfulness that infuses every aspect of Mr. Sanders’s production — and the committed skill of its performers and designers — soon wears down your resistance."
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"The show ties events in the troubled Dutch artist's life to some of the most arresting music of his age. It's less a play with music than it is a concert with elements of theatricality...Hudson entrances us with his observations of light and color, like a badass Bob Ross. Bengali's vibrant projections, all of which are drawn from van Gogh's own paintings, further illustrate his words...A dreamlike (if a bit sleepy) staging...There are few lovelier ways to spend 100 minutes."
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"Offers some stunning musical performances, attractive visuals—and nothing remotely like drama...Wolf's script does very little to illuminate Van Gogh's life...No real attempt has been made to forge a character, and, as played by Hudson, Van Gogh often sounds like an aggrieved 21st-century American millennial...So dramatically pale are these passages that they practically vanish next to the music, which is ravishing throughout...It has its charms—but, really, I'd much rather see a play."
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"If nothing else, the production is a unique exegesis on the creative vision and deteriorating mental health of van Gogh toward the end of his life...The connections among the three art forms that are being presented here are not readily apparent, or at least they weren't to this theatergoer. It does help that Carter Hudson as Vincent and Chad Johnson as Theo manage to humanize the brothers beyond what you might expect from a presentation based on excerpts from letters."
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"While the two hours do indeed offer many pleasures in terms of script, staging and music, the epistolary setup didn't work all that well here...nor did the casting decisions or Sanders' direction for Vincent during the musical interludes...For classical chamber music and lieder fans the playing and singing will be a not-to-be-missed treat...Carter Hudson doesn't exactly have a cakewalk as Vincent...Sanders has directed Hudson to do everything possible to ratchet up van Gogh's crazy side."
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“There is more emotional weight within eight measures of Debussy's String Quartet in G minor than in Eva Wolf's entire ‘Van Gogh's Ear’ at the Signature Center. Same for the French chansons performed during the play by singers portraying characters intimately associated with Vincent. All of the quotations from Vincent Van Gogh's diaries and letters that make up about half the play's two hour running time fall flat as delivered by the leaden Carter Hudson who moves about as if sleepwalking.”
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"More dramatized concert/multimedia exhibition than traditional play...While aesthetically pleasing, I often found myself drifting away from the story...Nevertheless, it does a great job conveying a sense of the romantic desperation of the haunted character...If you are an aficionado of classical chamber music and might enjoy a dynamic exhibition of Van Gogh's painting, you'll be thoroughly satisfied by this show. But those looking for traditional dramatic structure...may be less satisfied."
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"An ode to the exquisite paintings but minimal insights into the life of Vincent van Gogh...The beauty of the van Gogh art is cleverly projected as backdrop...Wonderful highlights that accessorize the beauty of the music...I’m of the mind that the addition of dialogue between characters might enhance this production as would a shortened presentation...If you are a fan of classical music brilliantly played, then you’ll enjoy the uniqueness and creativity of how it is artfully shared."
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