Citizens of the Gray or the Dark Thing that Sleeps Inside Me

See it if If you want a different kind of show about men and women throughout the years.

Don't see it if If you do not like avant garde theater that this show is.

See it if you appreciate diverse presentations with great lighting, music, choreography, sound and video by a youthful cast giving it their all.

Don't see it if you want a linear play. This is a series of scenes, with very few words, in which you watch, think, interpret and make your own conclusions.

See it if you've done your homework. This ain't your mother's traditional musical or play. Come prepared. It's intelligent, hypnotic & VERY different.

Don't see it if you need to be spoon-fed a clear plot arc twist & resolve w/o having to think or blink. You'll be forced to THINK during & TALK afterwards.

Also Mind blown.

We could barely move after the bows.

You're almost forced to use all of your senses (not literally, but almost). Fascinating. You're completely immersed once you enter, as some tall dude is sweeping the dusty sandy stage. Soon you're hit w/video projections, awesome music, & the serial-numbered cast decked-out in gray (excellent costumes!) marches in. We're off & running w/NON-STOP scenes & vignettes that at first seem meaningless & abstract, but soon jive w/what you've (hopefully) read in the description.

It moves & jibes & messes w/your head often, especially the physical abuse, forced simulated-sex, seemingly never-ending baby-production, & ultimate self-sabotage ending. The beautiful movement(s), dancing (sometimes coupled), wheelchair-spinning, marching... some of which are directed by a whistle-blowing leader, all choreographed to beautiful piped-in music... are engrossing.

This short 75min EVENT left us out-of-breath, numb & wide-eyed @ the end. DO NOT SEE ALONE.... Read more Read less

See it if You’re up for a visually striking, endlessly inventive and tightly choreographed experience performed by an outstanding ensemble.

Don't see it if You’re unable to simply go with a purely theatrical experience, need plot or narrative or dislike experimental theatre of any kind.

Also Few words are spoken—or needed—in this inventive, original and visually striking evening of scenes and vignettes that explore as a starting point latent themes in Ibsen, Strindberg, Williams & Inge.

With an edgy sweep of non-stop invention and imagery alternately gorgeous, disturbing, mysterious (and while there are echoes of Brecht, Kantor, Lecoq and even Grotowski — white men, all) Elia Schneider and her terrific ensemble have found their own distinctive visual and rhythmic language, one distinctly warmer, more layered, intuitively Latin American and definitely universal.

The actors are a true convincing ensemble, each acting fully with their bodies, faces, eyes; totally in it, creating their Citizens. Lighting, costumes and sound were exceptional, almost another character, and the soundtrack and score memorable.

As in life, the women here are mostly stronger than the men: a quiet feminist subtext. Fresh, playful and modern, this piece is a perfect fit for this #MeToo moment; go.... Read more Read less

See it if you're up for a dance-movement piece exploring power structures & silent male-female encounters that involve combative and rough sex

Don't see it if you need a linear plot, snappy dialogue, reasons to laugh, or a happy ending; you're looking for a traditional drama; you prefer musicals

Also In a dystopian reality, where adults wear numbers and are garbed in black and grays, a dozen citizens have been trained into waiting for permission (to move, type, eat, pick up a potato, exit, etc.).

Mostly wordless, and sometimes using music or a v/o, "Citizens" is a dance-movement piece featuring mini-plots using 2 actors or involving the ensemble.

Several vignettes are a "power ballad" that turns sex into a dehumanizing tug-of-war.
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Director’s Notes:
"Citizens of the Gray" shows a hypothetical reality where people from all walks of life interact with each other in a timeless society through what is suggested as the end of civilization.... Read more Read less

See it if You have never seen anything like it. Each person may have their own interpretation. Total new EXPERIENCE.

Don't see it if NOT A lot of speech. If you look away you may get lost. Intense drama. Lotsa symbolism.

See it if Very nicely staged, with elaborate costumes and choreography. This is mostly a dance/movement piece, albeit with distinct plot lines.

Don't see it if This could benefit greatly from a much stronger set of performers. I was mostly admiring what the director wanted to show rather than

Also what I actually saw. It's not that the current cast is bad - it's not, but it's rarely fully engaging. I found only Mariana Lopez to be completely believable.... Read more Read less

See it if you like absorbing non-verbal avant-garde vignettes focusing on sexual topics showing man/woman relationship(I think) evolving over the ages

Don't see it if you wish to see a play that is not weird or if if you object to plays focusing on genitals and sex. Some would describe it as "Sick/Dirty"

Also I would like to see the toilet vignette be put to music and put in a musical. :-)

The play's claim that it is exploring the relationship between man and woman over the years needs, as a minimum, needs some commentary. If I did not read that init its description I would never guessed that that is what the play was about.

I would love to see Mels Brooks comments as in the 1950's cartoon "The Critic" or have Woody Allen explain the play (?).... Read more Read less

See it if you have the patience for plays without plot or dialogue; you dig steampunk; or you want to see some great costumes and staging.

Don't see it if you prefer traditional plays with linear plot lines; you are easily bored; or you are sensitive to violence, particularly against women.

See it if You like weird avant garde style shows. Its like a modern day David Lynch play but in Spanish.

Don't see it if You dont want to see an experimental show.

See it if You like to see nonlinear art that challenges you to feel and process your response.

Don't see it if You want a clear narrative.

See it if You're into visually stunning situations that make you think and reflect about our humanity, society, life and the whole system we live in.

Don't see it if You're not ready to see the dark side of humankind.