Arcadia (PTP) NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (59)
See it if A near perfect production of a perfect play. A few excellent performances.
Don't see it if The poster is misleading. It's not a magical love story. If that's what you're expecting you will hate it.
See it if You are a fan of Stoppard or you have never seen one of his plays and are curious about the unusual style and brilliant dialogue.
Don't see it if You are bored by long complex dramas that force you to pay close attention or you will lose the thread of the complicated narrative.
See it if You want to discover the joy of watching Alex Draper on stage You are ready to be challenged intellectually You are ok with frustration
Don't see it if If you want something light or silly or short Can't handle themes of unfulfillment Read more
See it if you enjoy Tom Stoppard and his amazing wit. It is an intricate plot that blends art and science. I loved it.
Don't see it if you don't like Stoppard and his intellectual word play. Dense and wordy. Run time 2 3/4 hours.
See it if you enjoy the author or the play, if you're interesting in the tension between science and art, or are an academic.
Don't see it if you prefer musicals, if you like light comedy or if you need elaborate sets. Read more
See it if Beautifully woven, touching, philosophical mystery. Linked characters from two eras pursue their passions of discovery and each other.
Don't see it if You aren't interested in slowly developing characters, witty romantic comedy, and intellectual philosophy mixed into an eclectic stew.
See it if As a character says, science is all about the immense & the tiny and we live our lives in the in-between. Lots of words & concepts challenge
Don't see it if the audience in this well-acted philosophical romance. It's funny as well. Best inexpensive ticket around.
See it if you are enchanted by amusing period pieces, don't mind shifts to the present, enjoy intelligent drama
Don't see it if You don't like talky plays.
Critic Reviews (16)
"Not for the casual theatergoer, but is worth the effort if you're in the market for some intellectual heavy lifting delivered by a company of actors who forsake highbrow pomposity for sincere understanding of their work...This production is undeniably the main event of the repertory season...primarily because of its epic scope of storytelling that director Faraone wrangles into a digestible and diverting piece. It's an excellent introduction to one of Stoppard's most famous works."
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“One spectacular theatrical experience…This show is incredibly impressive, clever and just puts the mind in this state of awe that never fades for the length of the performance...Seeing how each actor is obviously a professional at his or her trade, this show is like watching words and theorems lifted right off of the page and molded into a beautiful story that is as logical as it is sensual...To this phenomenal cast: you are all quite wonderful."
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“An engaging new staging…What PTP/NYC's revival may lack in polish, it makes up for in spirited performances and the intimate space…Directed with stylish panache by Cheryl Faraone…It's the quest for knowledge that matters most and Stoppard proceeds to expand upon this axiom in the philosophical debating between his characters…‘Arcadia’ is a treasure trove of debate and not to be missed.”
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"The Potomac Theatre Project's production of Tom Stoppard's 1993 'Arcadia' puts his genius on display in a good-natured, easy-going production of this time-shifting, mystery. Directed by Cheryl Faraone, the play finds its own rhythms that unroll slowly, revealing its pleasures when early conundrums are resolved in a charming and warm ending."
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"'Arcadia' fits awkwardly in the confines of the Atlantic Theater's tiny facility. Scenic designer Mark Evancho has created an obstacle course of furnishings and oddly arranged exits that Faraone's blocking and the actors' stage presence never overcome...The production never effervesces as it should; and the wit of numerous passages is sacrificed to the languorous pace of direction and the almost lugubrious overall tone."
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"Potomac does a fantastic job preserving the essence of the play and keeping the simplicity of the staging, lest overdesign distract from the power of the text...Potomac’s production also highlights the complexity of the female characters. The powerful presence of women makes 'Arcadia' a compassionate, timely warning against misogyny...Certainly 'Arcadia' never sets out to be easy entertainment—it demands curiosity and attention to detail. But the result is a life-altering one."
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"The play proves as timeless as ever...While Stoppard shines as a technician in plotting what may be his most intricate work, his near erudite-to-a-fault script is far from bulletproof in the hands of lesser performers. Thankfully, once they warm up a bit, the company have golden ears for Stoppardian wordplay and rhythms...Draper and Jarvis are electric together as the feuding scholars...If you've seen it before, you might be surprised what you find yourself learning in another sitting."
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"Ultimately this stunningly beautiful and funny play...is a joy to behold...Directed with clarity and deftness by Cheryl Faraone...Funnier and more touching than I remember. PTP/NYC has given it a wit and humor that I had forgotten existed. It’s a wildly fun night of complex theatre, aching to educated, but in the end, 'Arcadia' just entertains."
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