Barabbas NYC Reviews and Tickets

72%

(14 Reviews)

Positive

50%

Mixed

50%

Negative

Members say

Intelligent, Absorbing, Relevant, Excruciating, Ambitious

About the Show

Set in a Lima, Peru prison cell in 2021, this new adaptation of the biblical story sees a bright young lawyer who has been accepting bribes thrown into prison with another political criminal and whistleblower, Jesús.

Peruvian citizens have just elected a President bent on ridding the political and legal system of corruption. A righteous whistleblower, Jesús, and a rash lawyer, Bara, find themselves sharing a cell under the surveillance of two cruel guards. Together Jesús and Bara navigate the landscape of their crimes – what transpires is both sinister and illuminating. Bara and Jesús debate morality and nationalism while subjected to Mother Peru’s harsh prison conditions. The play eerily mirrors political criminality happening all over the world drawing parallels to corruption in Latin America and the United States.

Member Reviews (14)

Loud noises, Low voices, Thought-provoking, Intelligent, Edgy

See it if you want an interesting take on the biblical relationship set in a politically challenged Peru. The set is good & the actors capable, but...

Don't see it if the low voices, especially when directed away from the audience, make you miss what is going on, or if loud banging or violence upsets you.

Absorbing, Great staging, Great acting

See it if Enjoyed this creatively staged play in the basement of a very old building.

Don't see it if There was not air conditioning which made it difficult to focus.

Critic Reviews (2)

"The tension between the two men is palpable right from the start of this short one act play...This production directed by Eduardo Machado could benefit from even more tension...The fight choreography by Daniel Benhamu was excellent. Anwar Wolf portrayed Jesús and believably conveyed all of the piety required...Mr. D'Amato successfully propelled the story and gave us yet another reason to distrust lawyers and whatever establishment is in power."
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"While Will T.F. Carter's Barabbas is very outspoken on the topic of political corruption in Peru, the play is dramatically weak as so much of it is exposition. In each scene we learn a little bit more about the men's lives, but little that is new happens in the play's 90 minutes. The tepid direction by Eduardo Machado gives us too much time to consider the play's deficiencies and makes the play seem longer than it is. Carter's anger at what is going on in Peru is commendable, but Barabbas does not utilize that indignation except on an intellectual basis."
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