Crime and Punishment NYC Reviews and Tickets

89%

(39 Reviews)

Positive

97%

Mixed

Negative

Members say

Absorbing, Great acting, Ambitious, Intelligent, Thought-provoking

About the Show

The Russian Arts Theater and Studio's stage adaptation of Fyodor Dostoevsky's book journeys into the mind of a killer and his search for redemption.

In the hot slums of St. Petersburg lives Raskolnikov, a former student struggling with debt and disillusionment. Believing himself to be a superior man, he executes a plan to kill and rob an old pawnbroker, arguing that her money can be used for good deeds, while ridding the world of a worthless parasite. As the growing voice of his conscience sets in, Raskolnikov soon finds the noose of his own guilt tightening around his neck.

Member Reviews (39)

Ambitious, Intelligent, Cumbersome, Slow, Thought-provoking

See it if You like thoughtful, introspective dramas. Theatre is very warm but cold water balloons provided really helped.

Don't see it if You don't like long Russian dramas or cumbersome over-manipulated set pieces.

Ambitious, Quirky, Riveting

See it if You can follow a complicated story. And, surprisingly, if you're a fan of Radiohead.

Don't see it if You're easily distracted by alot of motion and lighting changes onstage

Absorbing, Great acting, Intelligent, Must see

See it if you want to see a masterpiece about homicide, madness, and spiritual regeneration.Intriguing,spellbinding, and great acting.. a must see!

Don't see it if you are a criminal with a guilty conscience.

Disappointing, Excruciating, Overrated, Painful, Exasperating

See it if you hate Dostoevsky and think his masterpiece should be butchered...or think that the brilliance of the novel lies in the action of the plot

Don't see it if you have any respect for the novel, like good adaptations, or appreciate direction that doesn't find itself much more clever than it is.

Great staging, Absorbing, Ambitious, Intelligent

See it if You want to see Russian literature brought to life with imaginative, creative sets and staging- good portrayals of characters.

Don't see it if You want light entertainment. It helps to read Spark Notes before attending show.

Absorbing, Riveting

See it if You would enjoy an intense view into the mind of a killer and how he comes to realize the error of his ways. Great acting

Don't see it if You find it dated and have no interest in 19th century Russian sociey, or are upset by gruesome deaths [ a number of characters die]

Ambitious, Absorbing, Clever, Great acting, Edgy

See it if If you like to think while you watch.

Don't see it if You don't enjoy sinister.

100

Clever, Enchanting, Entertaining, Intelligent, Relevant

See it if You love Dostoyevsky

Don't see it if You don't

Critic Reviews (2)

"The classic, chilling tale is adapted by Di Zhu...Despite the textual challenge, her smart adaptation brings out the natural drama of the source material...The scenes hit all major plot points while retaining its original comprehensiveness, humor, and heart....All the actors are admirable in their performances…Despite the audacity of the undertaking, Mr. Burago and Ms. Zhu’s 'Crime and Punishment' goes the distance, bringing a revitalized perspective to this classic tale."
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"A retelling of a tortured young academic that is deeply inventive–sometimes to a fault–and that manages to hit all of the major notes of Dostoevsky’s work...In the first third of the play, Zhu and Burago do a fantastic job capturing the bawdy, rowdy characters and crackling dialogue of Dostoevsky’s writing...Zhu and Burago never lose sight of the animating force of Dostoevsky’s novel...Zhu and Burago’s adaptation ends with a major misfire–a rock song that feels needless and even tacky."
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