Theater for the New City presents a screwball comedy of the art market: its jargon, its people, its economics, and its overnight sensations. More…
The two-act comedy starts out in a gallery under renovation, with a charming and loquacious plumber, placing an assembly of pipes on a sculpture pedestal created by a sassy and articulate female woodworker. She embellishes this "sculpture" with a lipstick-kissed fragment of mirror and the plumber mockingly christens it "Fluidic Rapture." It is harmless fun until a wealthy, matronly trendsetter sweeps into the gallery, pronounces their assemblage a conceptual masterpiece and insists on adding it to her collection. The two construction workers are thereby catapulted into the stratosphere of the art market, assisted by the opportunistic gallery owner. The ensuing play becomes a comedy on the jargon and puffery of the art scene.
See it if you want to see a large cast, in a long production, giving it a go to be entertaining on issues of the art world. Some good moments.
Don't see it if you want a well edited and acted play. There are good elements here in need of refinement. Most acting more suited to screen than stage.
See it if A few funny moments where the art dealer thinks the crap "art" is worth paying top-dollar for.
Don't see it if But most of the 2 hours 15 minutes drags big time, many walkouts at intermission, many yawns. Desperate need of severe editing.
See it if You want to see a fun and interesting comedy with a really big cast
Don't see it if You want a play that is cleaned up and polished or if you have a problem with actors playing multiple roles
Also I feel like I probably liked this play more than others but my rating ... Read more Read less
See it if You don’t mind seeing a show that is really still not ready for prime time ! You enjoy satire, especially when it’s aimed at the A list !
Don't see it if Everything needs to be perfect for you to enjoy a play. You have no interest in the trials and tribulations of the world of modern art.
See it if U like a story that mixes contemporary art world w/contemporary politics & society. Needs further editing, it’s 2 long & repetitive.
Don't see it if You’re impatient and looking for a fully developed play.
See it if Support smaller venues, enjoy a fun night out, see a satire on the A listers, can apprciate the absurd, can laugh at the absurd.
Don't see it if You don't like satire, need a fancy venue, don't like traveling downtown, aren't open to new experiences, expect a fancy set.
Also I enjoy seeing productions at Theater for the New City. And I support ... Read more Read less
See it if you enjoy humor poking fun at wealthy art collectors; your pal is in the cast of SIXTEEN; you don't mind very uncomfortable chairs for 2 hrs
Don't see it if a talky play with limited scope will irk you; you prefer plays with characters you can relate to; you like comedies that deliver big laughs
Also "Catapult" paints itself into a corner and stays there for 2 hrs.... Read more Read less
See it if a spoof on what "art" is , mixed in with a bit of a love story , would possibly entertain you
Don't see it if if you dislike long , slow, drawn out plays. Seating was uncomfortable and first act was too long
Also Cast of 16 , playing 28 parts, gave it their all. Play needs to be twe... Read more Read less
See it if you are a friend or relative of the playwright or one of the actors.
Don't see it if you’re expecting a well written play. The acting is spotty, the theme has been handled better in other plays, TV and film.
See it if you do not mind run of the mill dated sit-com content.
Don't see it if you do are interested in a quality theatrical experience.
See it if You like an ambitious show that satirizes the art scene and wealthy, power-brokers. You're patient with off, off B'way fare that needs work
Don't see it if You expect a finely honed, B'way -type comedy,with an experienced cast. You don't see any shows, located south of 40th Street in Manhattan.
Also As with many newer plays, this one could really use a strong edit. It ... Read more Read less
See it if You are interested in the hype, folly of art collecting and social position. The message being the rich and powerful can create anything.
Don't see it if You arent interested in seeing a novel subject that affirms our beliefs in the manipulation by media and the rich. Could have been cut down.
See it if you like plays with a lot of speaking and little action.
Don't see it if you want things to move along swiftly.
See it if You have interest in the fallacies of the art market. If you want a light production w/o thinking.
Don't see it if Many minor plots, no main plot. You're seeking a better developed play.
Also Good idea not fully developed. It rotted before it ripened.... Read more Read less
See it if You want to see a new work or support a new writer.
Don't see it if You are expecting a polished piece of theatre. This production had numerous problems with writing, direction, design, and acting.
See it if You enjoy making fun of the art world as I do.
Don't see it if You take the NYC art world too seriously and don’t enjoy a rather slow play.
See it if You enjoy shows poking fun at the rich and the art world. Erinn Holmes was outstanding!
Don't see it if You like a point taken too far. Started out great and went down hill quickly.
Also The writer should cut at least a third or more from the script.
See it if Decent acting and staging.
Don't see it if You like plays with tight, interesting script
See it if Are willing to endure mediocre writing and acting to explore issue of esthetics and economics in the NYC art world
Don't see it if You require professional level execution.
See it if you have a relative in the show
Don't see it if you dont like wordy excruciatingly long and slow, poorly acted, give or take 2 or 3 actors plays;
See it if you want to see a quirky comedy about art collecting/collectors.
Don't see it if you can't handle a bit of plot wander. I was hoping the play would go in a #metoo direction but ultimately it was a love story.
Also - I especially liked the scenes (the first scene in particular) with 1... Read more Read less