Bars and Measures NYC Reviews and Tickets

79%

(54 Reviews)

Positive

85%

Mixed

13%

Negative

Members say

Great acting, Thought-provoking, Absorbing, Relevant, Intense

About the Show

Centering around two African American brothers, this new drama from Urban Stages explores the love of music, brotherhood, and faith.

From the show:

Bars and Measures tells the story of two African American brothers. One a classical pianist, concert performer, educator. The other a jazz bass player/composer. One a Christian. The other a Muslim. One living in freedom. The other in jail. Separated by bars, the brothers try to reconcile their differences through the language they know best. Music!!! A journey through faith, family, melody and time.

Member Reviews (54)

Strong singing/acting, Ambitious, Relevant, Thought-provoking, Absorbing

See it if you're interested in music (jazz, classical), sibling bonds, entrapment, Islam, prisons, romance. Strong performances bolster uneven script.

Don't see it if you want a clear take-away. Muddy ending. At times slow, awkward. But enjoyable music/interesting story. Nice set in nice small theater.

Thought-provoking, Great writing, Intelligent, Intense, Relevant

See it if You’ve had conflicting feelings about Christian/Muslim relations, government intrusion-especially since 9/11. If you enjoy jazz even better.

Don't see it if You want only rainbows and unicorns in your life. This is a big slice of serious. Entertaining. Well written and acted. Some great music. Read more

Critic Reviews (3)

"Notes From Jail: Jazz unites two brothers, one accused of plotting terrorism, in Idris Goodwin’s play."
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"To a large degree, 'Bars and Measures' is a play of ideas. It is not necessarily the kind of play that puts you through an emotional wringer. But it may make you think about your allegiance to members of your own family and to consider at what point blood may no longer seem thicker than water."
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"Includes several interesting developments but it also has questionable contrivances…Seemel’s production elicits perhaps half of the emotion possible in this fraternal and political environment. I suspect…there’s a lot more passion…than this too measured production is conveying."
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