Cute Activist
About the show
The Bushwick Starr presents this playfully fabulist, wildly satirical, anti-romantic comedy, that asks questions about the way activism fits – or doesn't fit – into our daily lives. More…
In a spooky town in mythical Connecticut where inequality reigns, a shadowy ring of part-time activists battle a baroque, tyrannical Landlord. Only True Love's Kiss can save the local economy. 'Cute Activist' is a pastel fable full of earnest questions about how to engage politically, at an everyday level, as a normal-feeling civilian.
"Will entertain and stimulate you on many levels...This production is the work of a group of wonderful innovators...This well-written play asks a lot more questions than it answers...Cramer’s blissfully solid wall of language, the puppets and the video go far beyond what any of those art forms might provide on their own, providing an immersive environment which the play constantly disrupts. Morgan Green’s direction peels away the veneer of privilege." Full Review
“Cramer’s dialogue comes fast and furious — by the time a line registers, five more have rushed by — and is often very funny...Cramer and the director, throw everything in their theatrical pot, including video, songs, and puppets...In this land of too much, scenes end abruptly or go on past their seeming end-time, and the humor has a tendency to rely on flip, rat-a-tat speed. But at least Cramer’s satire has heart, and there is something to be said for a show packed with surprises." Full Review
"There are scenes in New Saloon’s lightning-fast, kitten-fanged comedy that are an unalloyed joy: the zippiest, zingiest salvos I’ve seen come out of what we might call the Millennial Camp movement...Acute social commentary with an 'Adventure Time' filter...A weird middle section of self-conscious romantic dialogue feels cloying, and the short show’s ending fizzles...But while the piece feels unfinished, 'Cute Activist's' several perfect bits have been polished to a mirror sheen." Full Review
"Serious-minded yet silly, dense with wordplay and anything-goes theatricality, the play is so heavily swaddled in its down vest of irony, snark and satire that you can hardly locate its heart. But what a brilliant match of material and theater it is...Mr. Cramer is not too proud to take some dramatic shortcuts...Without astute comic performances the play might curdle before revealing itself fully as a fable for our times...'Cute Activist' may be flirting with too much cuteness." Full Review
See it if You're open to a satire on privileged millennials who want to have an impact; it's funny and entertaining, but not perfect.
Don't see it if you prefer a plot and perfection. I saw it in previews and it needs a stronger ending.
See it if you like experimental theater with heavy symbolism. There are some lovely images and songs.
Don't see it if you are not adventurous in your theater going and need developed characters and logical plot developments.
See it if you'd enjoy seeing hipsters and would-be activists skewered. There are many funny and insightful moments here
Don't see it if you want a fully baked and perfectly consistent story. But this is a nice beginning to something and it's always fun at the Bushwick Starr
See it if You don't mind wading through twee theatrics for a smart play about social media activism.
Don't see it if You're unfamiliar with or uninterested in millennial culture. This struck me as very niche theatre for people 20-40.
Also There's a great play in here, but it takes 30 minutes to get going and... Read more Read less
See it if you are down with poking fun at white, upper-class, hetero pseudo-activism.
Don't see it if you want time to digest the script, the set, the props, etc. (The show is total sensory overload and comes at you very fast.)
See it if you want to experience the worst of millennial privilege...
Don't see it if you seek truth and power from your theater; this is the epitome of privilege parading the stage.
Cast & Creatives (16)
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