Burnished By Grief – A Romantic Comedy
About the show
La MaMa presents 'Burnished By Grief – A Romantic Comedy,' a love letter to the chaos of cramped New York City living from Obie award-winning playwright Ellen Maddow. More…
This music-infused, sinister romantic comedy is inspired by Maddow’s work as a mediator in Brooklyn Civil Court, where she has witnessed how the city’s extraordinary diversity, combined with close living, has produced complex misunderstandings and remarkable relationships.
Created by the multiple Obie-Award winning Talking Band, 'Burnished by Grief,' is a chaotic, over stimulated urban mash up filled with constant motion, scrambled energy and the overlapping realities of race, culture and multiple generations. Seven characters long for a pocket of stillness, the solace of beauty, relief from loneliness, and the possibility of falling head over heels in love with their opposites.
"There are no stand-outs in the cast, only in the sense that every single actor imbues his and her character with that commedia zaniness that makes even their griefs transform into joie de vivre. Maddow’s witty, intelligent dialogue lifts us up. Her text and characters are exuberant, infecting the audience with joy." Full Review
"A mildly morbid but irrepressibly effervescent lark...The play evolves into an exuberant celebration of color and quirk…This production grew out of Ms. Maddow’s experiences as a volunteer in Brooklyn Civil Court. The influence is palpable...Ms. Maddow reminds us that for all the strains attendant upon urban living, every now and then novel and wonderful relationships emerge." Full Review
"'Burnished By Grief' works in part because nobody in the cast or creative team seems to take anything too seriously. The actors clearly take great joy in their performances, playing each moment, no matter how severe, with a wink to the audience in a way that is endearing rather than frustrating...While the heightened style might not be for everyone, the consistency throughout creates a complete picture." Full Review
See it if you appreciate seeing the foibles and challenges of the human condition portrayed by brave performers
Don't see it if you've already made your mind up about who is wrong and who is right; you want theater to be fluff
See it if you enjoy sophomoric theatrical ventures. I am still trying to rationalize why this company has been around for so long.
Don't see it if your taste runs to more realistic plays rather than over-the-top ones like this.
See it if My Friends
Don't see it if My family
See it if You are interested in old school experimental theatre. You are interested in the east village theatre scene.
Don't see it if You have trouble following abstract plotlines. You find poetry in theatre distracting. You are looking for something literal.
See it if there is an interaction with audience
Don't see it if it has no creativity
Cast & Creatives (10)
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