AdA: Author Directing Author NYC Reviews and Tickets

79%

(49 Ratings)

Positive

90%

Mixed

Negative

Members say

Great acting, Absorbing, Great writing, Relevant, Entertaining

About the Show

Playwrights Neil LaBute, Marco Calvani, and Marta Buchaca direct each other's work in the third installment of La MaMa's annual series.

Together, they present the world premiere of three one-acts inspired by the theme of power.

'I don’t know what I can save you from' by Neil LaBute, directed by Marco Calvani
An estranged father and daughter meet to negotiate a new relationship. Old wounds surface and new ones appear as they grapple with the past, present, and future of their complicated bond.

'After the Dark' by Marco Calvani, directed by Marta Buchaca
A designer is on a business trip with her young assistant. Late in their hotel after a night of drinking, the boss (eager to boost her company sales), and her underling (who has other plans for the evening), play a cruel game that reveals their respective fragilities.

'Summit' by Marta Buchaca, directed by Neil LaBute
After a decade in office, a male city mayor is defeated by the left-wing female candidate. A conservative who can’t bear the idea of a progressive woman taking over his seat, the outgoing mayor is in no hurry to leave, even when his successor arrives to assume power.

Show-Score Member Reviews (49)

Great acting, Intense, Intelligent, Great writing, Resonant

See it if You want the unique opportunity to see 3 short, intense character pieces by noted writers, each directing 1 of the other's work.

Don't see it if You don't like 1-act plays. You want a play w/elaborate sets & costumes.

Ambitious, Entertaining, Great acting, Intelligent, Resonant

See it if You are interested in new, short plays that explore the concept of power and its affect on relationships. You like intimate settings.

Don't see it if You prefer familiar shows in large, traditional theater settings. You do not want to explore uncomfortable aspects of human interaction.

Absorbing, Edgy, Intelligent, Intense, Relevant

See it if Eternal issue of power dynamics interests you. Three two-handers tackle various situations focused on dominance/ submission. LaBute best.

Don't see it if You don't care for minimalist staging, two handers or intense situations, or are looking for fluff. Barring these caveats, you should go.

3 plays, one excellent, 3 plays/only one excellent

See it if You are a Neil LaButte fan-he without mercy, explores the clash between men and women. His one-actor, which ends the night is terrific

Don't see it if Apalled by domestic strugge? This play examines a bad relationship that a daughter tries to salvage, and a resistant domineering father.

Entertaining, Relevant, Thought-provoking, Great writing

See it if You want to see plays about a father daughter relationship, a woman who becomes the mayor and a designer going out on a limb.

Don't see it if You need elaborate staging. You don't like short plays. You are too serious and can't sit back, relax and enjoy the shows.

Relevant, Disturbing, Edgy, Intense, Original

See it if you like one-act compilations with central theme (here, power), terrific acting, minimalist production, intimate staging, complex characters

Don't see it if you're not a Neil LaBute fan or are looking for traditional two-act play, elaborate production, likeable characters (fiercely portrayed) Read more

Entertaining, Great acting, Great writing

See it if you enjoy three short plays with only two characters in each; great acting to go along with the good scripts

Don't see it if you want a full length play; are offended by adult language and themes

Funny, Edgy, Great writing, Relevant

See it if you like one-act non-musical well-actedcharacter-driven plays. The 3rd play alone is by itself a must-see, the other 2 are more like B+ / A-

Don't see it if you are looking for fully-staged works or plot-driven theater -- these have rudimentary sets and are character-driven pieces

Critic Reviews (8)

Trailer

Creative team