America is Hard to See NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (21)
See it if You are interested in important societal topics in America.
Don't see it if You are squeamish or triggered by the topic of pedophilia.
See it if you’re open to the idea that some people capable of awful crimes are also capable of acute remorse. AIHTS succeeds @ walking a fine line.
Don't see it if the idea above isn’t constructive to you; you’re appalled/uninterested by the show’s blurb. (The mktg’s entirely accurate re tone, content.) Read more
See it if Lives of paroled sex offenders in an isolated community. Complex people with a lot to offer despite their crimes. Beautiful songs & vocals.
Don't see it if The play forces you to open up to these people, but it is disturbing to do so. Explicit descriptions of sex acts with minors. Read more
See it if you like musicals based on real people and events, and if you value an exploration of morals, sin, and sexuality.
Don't see it if you're squeamish about sex offenders and aren't willing to reevaluate your views. Read more
See it if You enjoy looking at the underside of the world in which we live told in creative “moment work” fashion by actors at the top of their games.
Don't see it if You’re looking for cohesive docudrama with a clear thesis. This play inspires research, but doesn’t seem to have a case of its own.
See it if You like challenging theater about challenging subjects - it prompted a long discussion among my friends about how to deal w/sex criminals.
Don't see it if This show is the definition of trigger warning - pedophiles are allowed to try to charm you; it's true to life, but can be disturbing.
See it if you enjoy visually stunning forays into the tough ambiguities of human existence.
Don't see it if you're uncomfortable exploring sexual assault. Read more
See it if you are interested in a wider take on the Me Too movement. The show is incredibly timely. It explores complexity of many points of view
Don't see it if frank sexual descriptions will upset you. The actors interpret actual people describing life experiences. Some of which are disturbing.
Critic Reviews (6)
"A smart and troubling new piece of documentary theater...Russ's script isn't always helped by his direction, which is sometimes less clear than it needs to be...Music and lyrics by Priscilla Holbrook that are often lovely but don’t always fit smoothly into the action...Arrives at an awkward time to ask for sympathy for these men...But this play, an investigation of transgression, redemption, and the limits of compassion, takes a hard, uncomfortable look at forgiveness."
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"While writer and director Travis Russ takes a sympathetic view of the play's subjects, he is not naive about the fact that we all construct myths to help us live with ourselves and the choices we have made...With lyrics drawn entirely from real interviews, Holbrook's original songs are honest and tuneful...Everyone in the cast either sings or plays an instrument, and their powerful performances electrify an already supercharged script."
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"Life Jacket Theatre has proven itself to be a strong new practitioner in this genre…The play depicts those characters with empathy, but also honesty… And the show raises profound questions worth pondering…Cast members prove adept at switching between multiple roles…It’s not easy to craft a nuanced story about a population so routinely and swiftly demonized. But Life Jacket Theatre makes the case that such an exercise is not just possible, but necessary."
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"A powerful and provocative evening of theatre that is deeply unsettling, surprisingly humane, and ultimately uplifting...Inspiring tough soul-searching and difficult questions for those willing to ask them...A weighty piece that reminds you of the powerful role theatre plays...It is uncomfortable...guaranteed to challenge your assumptions...You will emerge both changed and eager to continue the conversation. And that is the highest praise I can give any piece of theatre."
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"When you hear that there is a new play with music about an enclave of people on the sex offense registry, the tendency might be revulsion or demurral. If you can’t get past that initial reaction, you will missing out on one of the finest theatrical experiences of the season...The uniformly excellent ensemble is rounded out by Joyce Cohen who, like the rest of the cast, seamlessly takes on multiple roles in a story that by turns surprises, informs, and moves."
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"The plot has a way of entangling us into a world we would much rather keep at a safe distance, while simultaneously laying bare our perverse cultural appetite for the spectacle of criminality...Provides a complicated—and at times sympathetic—glimpse into the lives of one of the most loathed groups in America: registered sex offenders...The audience cannot walk away from this piece without feeling incredibly uncomfortable and morally compromised...Heartbreaking."
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