A New Brain (Gallery Players) NYC Reviews and Tickets
Member Reviews (49)
See it if you enjoy good community theater, mostly well acted, sung and danced but not always audible or perfect.
Don't see it if you are disturbed by an ensemble that sometimes has breakout members looking to "star." Good, four-piece band overpowers singing at times.
See it if Lovely tale about a gay songwriter's brain operation. Enthusiastic performance by a large cast having a great time. Wonderful music.
Don't see it if You demand Broadway-quality performers/production. You don't want to travel to Brooklyn. I thought this was so charming & well worth it.
See it if A musical about a brain clot?? Finn's quirky, autobiographical, musically dense piece is just that Doesn't work but Gallery gives it its all
Don't see it if Despite best vocal efforts of lead Manocherian, Gordon is an unsympathic crank on top of dark subject Finn's indecisive tone hurts concept
See it if you enjoy song thru shows. lead male Jesse M. is back at Gallery & is great Barrie Gelles. gives her best directing and choreography
Don't see it if too late.. we caught the final performance. Gallery is so good. Rating is partner's 90% & my 80%
See it if you like musicals about struggling artists suffering through life.
Don't see it if you can’t take sung-through musicals, or you want something heavily produced. Read more
See it if like Wm Finn, see neglected works, for many excellent performances, want to support Gallery Players
Don't see it if can't abide community theatre, dislike specific pitch problems, don't want 2 take finicky F train to Parkslope
See it if You'd enjoy a large cast & a sung-thru musical about a guy who needs a serious brain operation. Kudos to the lead guy & the Mom!
Don't see it if Could use a 5 or 10 minute trim, as it runs 1 hour 50 minutes no intermission.
See it if you want to see a talented cast sing and dance in a well constructed, well choreographed show. Impressive for a small neighborhood theater!
Don't see it if you believe that only Broadway can present a quality musical. Read more
Critic Reviews (3)
"'A New Brain,' for all of its many strengths, is a flabby sort of musical..Most of the songs are pretty wonderful. However, the overall musical is less so. The main problem, for me, is the lack of real stakes--there is never any doubt that Gordon is going to live and prosper...Luckily, the Gallery Players can overcome one tone deaf apple, and, as with all of their musicals, this one is solid and smoothly directed."
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“‘A New Brain’ is a musical written by William Finn shortly after his having successfully undergone surgery to repair an arteriovenous malformation. It contains too many songs (32 numbers), too many scenes, and a particularly unlikeable, neurotic, main character. The cast is extremely talented. At only $25.00 a ticket, seeing this show is worth your effort and time. You will receive good value in exchange for your hard-earned money.”
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"Laugh-out-loud funny but refreshingly light during dramatic moments...Manocherian as Schwinn is the clear standout of the show...But other members of the ensemble fail to distinguish their characters, and director and choreographer Barrie Gelles sometimes seems to be at a loss for what to do with his actors in the space...A heartfelt and sentimental comedy tackling heavy themes in innovative ways...but the production doesn’t always have what it takes to realize the show’s fullest potential."
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