Dead Brains

See it if you think you might learn something from (or even enjoy?) the graphic enactment of aestheticized mental & physical torture.

Don't see it if you think that the graphic enactment of mental & physical torture might make you queasy.

Also All 3 actors in the current production of “Dead Brains” give strong performances. Playwright Erik Champney can write vivid dialog & craft compelling scenes—though sometimes the proceedings get so clever you can almost hear the gears whirr, & then scenes start to feel overlong, repeating material at a higher pitch now. The stripped-down staging serves the playwright well, though at points “sleek” can feel “way too slick.” On 1 level this is OK: the play’s subject is aestheticized violence. But the graphic mental & physical torture go on for so long, we have to ask why. In a grisly almost menage-a-trois, a deeply damaged couple snuffs out the 3rd player, himself pretty damaged. The survivors are so unhinged from any moral compass that their act in the end stands outside any ethical framework, except the 1 the audience provides. And I did. And I understand some damaged people do horrific things. Still torture, even in the service of art, even when just enacted, really bothers me.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see dark gritty messed up drama

Don't see it if You are bothered by scenes of violence and sexuality between two men

Also I was terrified going into see this play. Not because I was scared or afraid of being scared but because of how bad the earlier play I saw in the day that is affiliated with this Festival was. I’m planning to see a lot of the shows in this festival and after the first show I just had the worst taste in my mouth and this turned it all around for me! I like just about every aspect of this play. I always like to point out some of the negative things in hopes that someone will read this that’s involved with the show and do something about it. Without giving too much away there is something with the females hand, she should either wear a cloth around her hand or never expose her palms to the audience. Also the final scene should start in complete darkness so that the audience is surprised when the lights come up. If you have seen the show you will know what I mean. But overall they made great use Of the very minimal set. And the actors physically looked the way they should... Read more Read less

See it if U R fan of violence, sadism, brutality, guns, knives, games playing, art made from found objects, faulty reasoning, male nudity, cheese

Don't see it if don't want gun pointed at U much of play, expect a rationale, wonder why these characters aren't apprehended yet

See it if Beautiful muse of gay/bi artist brings out his darker side. Innocent stranger gets caught up in kink and more.

Don't see it if nudity, simulated sex, sadism, violence. Gripping theater. I would have thought it was unusual, but I saw "Trainspotting Live" last week.

Also In an interview, the author said his inspiration was the couple in Sam Shepard’s “Fool For Love,” but I also likened our artist to the dressmaker in “The Silence of the Lambs.”... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a play that is edgy and dark with some pretty good actors.

Don't see it if You don't have an open mind and you are put off by brief nudity and simulated sex acts.

See it if you like dark theatre base on mind games, that segue to darker actions. Matt Maretz is the standout.

Don't see it if the issue is that the Playwright created 1 dimensional malicious characters. It left me empty & I didn't care about these antiheroes.

Also I want to root for a protagonist whether or not they are successful. This play dealt with 3 damaged characters, bullied, victims, that all have their lives reshaped by that abuse, and not in a healthy way. Therefore, we are watching vindictive characters going beyond the norms to feel normal. I didn't want to spend an hour with these characters.
I think this would have been a better screenplay that if fleshed out with flashbacks would have lent empathy and then the plot would have been horrifying as opposed to simply a B horror genre play.... Read more Read less

See it if you'd like to see a mashup of American Psycho meets Cruel Intentions. You like scary-style "life is art".

Don't see it if you don't like over-the-top femme-fatales (from both a woman and a man). Show includes gun violence and torture.

See it if Quirky off-the-wall sometimes, the cast carries off a somewhat muddled play.

Don't see it if You're looking for insights.

See it if You want to see a well-made provocative, gay/bi themed thriller.

Don't see it if You do not like disturbing pieces. If you are looking for light entertainment or something sensual.

Also I did not like this piece a great deal, but I respect that it was well-crafted. The acting was proficient. Richard Wingert, in particular, was excellent as the charming psychopath Henry. I found the ending abrupt. I wish there was a more clever twist. Nonetheless, this is a smart, slick, cohesive piece put together by a talented team. This isn’t the gay Gone Girl I was hoping for, but it’s still effective.... Read more Read less

See it if you are interested in a Machiavellian play mixing sensuality, twisted romance and violence.

Don't see it if you don’t like horror. If you don’t like brief nudity/torture/dark themes.

Also This is a provocative work exploring the mental and physical torture three damaged characters inflict on each other. The actors did a great job, especially Richard Wingert as Henry. Despite this being well-written and intriguing, the ending needs work, and the ultimate point of the piece is unclear to me.... Read more Read less

See it if you like art that explores a sadistic view of art.

Don't see it if you feel uncomfortable with manipulative characters and dark undertones, you do not want to take the time to get into the storyline.

See it if you like unconventional plots esp. w/ surprise ending. A mix of romance, drama, suspense & horror! A tour-de-force of the titillating trio.

Don't see it if if you are squeamish or offended by some nudity and sexy scenes on stage. But for art's sake, it is done quite tastefully & deliciously too!

See it if you enjoy well acted intense dramas.

Don't see it if you hate plays that don't provide explanations for everything that happens on stage.

See it if you want to see a show that deals with a cast of damaged characters that are involved in escalating games of deceit and manipulation.

Don't see it if you are not a fan of shows that deal with the macabre, or of shows with on stage displays of blood and violence.

See it if You like theatre that takes risks and isn’t afraid to talk about the darkness in humanity.

Don't see it if You are put off by brief nudity, simulated sexual acts, homosexuality, dark humor and dark themes.

Also This is a slickly produced intelligent play that expects its audiences to question their own morality. It is an evocative, demanding play. I would like to see it developed in a larger scale production, but this barebones production really puts the play first, without any frills. It’s also less than 90 minutes long. Even if you don’t like it, it moves along pretty quickly.... Read more Read less

See it if you like shows on dark, edgier topics

Don't see it if a gay story line bothers you

Also My reaction was mixed on this play. It kept my attention but I think the writing needs some work. I found it confusing at times, especially much of the female character's dialogue. I would have connected with — and understood — the character better if the actress were able to speak lines that a real person would use.... Read more Read less

See it if you like honest drama

Don't see it if if don't have any interest in LGBT issues

See it if You like a dirty seductive drama with a plot twist.

Don't see it if You are squeamish, or uncomfortable with sex scenes.

Also Really enjoyed the master manipulation of the main male character and the great acting done by the female role.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy the kinds of stories that gradually unravel to reveal you actually have no idea what's really going on until the end.

Don't see it if you like feeling comfortable and safe in the theater. This play will rattle your cage and its dangers are what make it so much fun.

Also The mind games being played on the characters can only be matched by the mind game simultaneously being played on the audience. Things are not what they seem in this fantasy land, for any of us. This play will keep you guessing. It will also disturb you and make you laugh at inappropriate moments. I can see how some people may be confused or ticked off by it, but seriously, all you have to do is pay attention to get it. I think this play treats its audience intelligently. In that respect, the audience should do the same for the play. It's an intricately crafted web and I had a blast figuring it out. The performances are strong enough, but it doesn't seem to me that the actors have dived fully into the pool and immersed themselves in the piece. Don't get me wrong, they're fine actors......but they often seem to be standing outside their characters, commenting on them instead of embodying them. Maybe that will change as the run continues. But go see it! If anything, for the play itself.... Read more Read less