Wrestling Jerusalem NYC Reviews and Tickets
Member Reviews (13)
See it if you want to taste the experience of various segments of the Middle East conflict. Well written and acted.
Don't see it if you don't like solo acts. If you're not willing to hear all sides of the issue. If you expect answers.
See it if It was absorbing and intelligently written and acted.
Don't see it if The Israeli-Palestinian problem upsets you
See it if You are open minded to the various viewpoints of the Arab-Israeli conflict. You are closed minded to the viewpoints of the A-I conflict.
Don't see it if Monologues or the conflict are not your thing.
See it if you have interest in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Many characterizations well depict the complexities and harsh realities that co-exist
Don't see it if you don't like monologues or have little interest in middle-east affairs. It is extremely well-acted and worthwhile.
See it if You think about the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Don't see it if You have strongly negative feelings about Israelis or Palestinians.
See it if in a nutshell the Israel/Palestinian issue. 17 characters , each have their story i wish all can listen and find middle ground
Don't see it if if you will get upset listening to other views than yours
See it if Incredible tour de force
Don't see it if Real deep theater
See it if If you want to be lifted from despair...You are willing to listen to an intense range of diverse views....have an open mind.
Don't see it if You see the world in black and white.
Critic Reviews (16)
"A smartly written solo show about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict...So it is intensely frustrating that Mr. Davidman and his director, Michael John Garcés, get in their own way throughout this puzzlingly paced production...Too many characters fail to spark to life because Davidman doesn’t slow down long enough to give them shape and dimension...Stories of individuals are what our hearts find hard to ignore. 'Wrestling Jerusalem' knows that. It’s just having trouble telling them."
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"He gets inside the hearts and minds of a vivid gallery of characters. Most of them are mordant; a few are deeply unsettling, even terrifying. The overall effect is riveting...The news that Davidman reports in 'Wrestling Jerusalem' may be dismaying, even at times horrifying, but, as he renders it, it is impossible to look away...Necessarily, the ending of 'Wrestling Jerusalem' disappoints...Still, this is no small achievement...you're likely to find yourself hanging on every word."
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"Davidman is fervent in his portrayals and a gifted actor as we listen to all the views presented realizing that there are no answers, only continued questions, continued fighting and struggles that make up the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that seems to have no resolution. He is riveting in his performance…'Wrestling Jerusalem' is a thought-provoking performance for everyone and should be seen and talked about."
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"In this brave solo show Davidman goes directly to the heart of the matter. Did the Israeli-Palestinian conflict start in 1981, 1963 or 1947? And whose fault is it anyway?..Davidman does not try to answer. He tries to dig deeper into the matter. His panoply of characters share their wildly opposing perspectives."
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"You don’t have to be Jewish to love ‘Wrestling Jerusalem,’ Aaron Davidman’s wrenching 90-minute solo drama about the social, psychological, military, political, and basic human complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The expression 'tour de force' may be overused but there’s no other way to describe this balanced, if frustrating, exploration of one man’s consideration of the perhaps insurmountable difficulties that have been roiling the Jewish state since it was born in 1948."
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"A tour de force performance that is well written, emotionally connected, well directed by Michael John Garcés but in the end leaves you in the same place in which you started...Mr Davidman is a talented actor making each person real. Michael John Garcés, artistic director of Cornerstone Theater, has a fluidity to his direction that almost seems like a dance."
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"A deeply enriching narrative. The text that Davidman brings to the stage is stunning...Davidman is successful as a writer. Not so much as a performer. His characterization is not the best. Davidman doesn’t quite set up each individual character so it’s incredibly hard to distinguish changes…Davidman has written a spellbinding narrative that results in a conclusion of no clear-cut answers. And that’s how it should be. The sad trouble with 'Wrestling Jerusalem' is the presentation."
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"Davidman leads us through a well-thought out, beautifully lit show about heavy subject matter, still managing to carry some humor and optimism throughout the whole show...There are some awkwardly directed transitions between scenes and characters, as well as certain sections throughout the narration that might benefit from being presented more conversationally. However these flaws are hardly enough to detract from the honest response this show provokes."
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