A New Brain (Gallery Players) NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (49)
See it if You love a brilliant musical by William Finn. Great songs "Don't Give In, Sailing"
Don't see it if You don't have taste.
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 You wish the difficult parts of life were set to music.
Don't see it if You're the type that sees 14th Street and assumes it's in Manhattan (I made it, but just barely).
See it if you like Bill Finn's idiosyncratic through-sung yet talky style, are pro-gay, or liked Falsettos.
Don't see it if you are too squeamish about brain surgery, don't like depictions of romance between men, or didn't like Falsettos. Read more
See it if you've never seen a production of A New Brain.
Don't see it if you've already seen this production of A New Brain.
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
See it if you're a William Finn fan, as I am. Ambitious -- cast of 15, only 10 in original Lincoln Center 1998 production.
Don't see it if you dislike sung-through musicals and are uncomfortable with same sex relationships depicted on stage. Read more
See it if you enjoy a well thought out show that is nicely executed with some fine performances. If you are already a fan, this is worth a look.
Don't see it if you are not a fan of William Finn or don't appreciate very good community theater.
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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