Evening - 1910
Axis Company presents a new musical about Henry, an immigrant to 1910 New York, who becomes involved with a Bowery theater facing eviction.
... Read moreAs the Kinetoscopes that are replacing them are being installed, the showgirls at a soon-to-close theater wonder about their future. Meanwhile, newly arrived immigrant Henry is pulled by heart and hunger toward disparate and uncertain destinies. These stories come together in this new tuner featuring songs by Axis artistic director Randy Sharp, and Paul Carbonara of Blondie fame.
- Official Site
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- 1 hour and 15 minutes
- Already closed
- Axis Theatre (West Village)
Cast & Creatives (17)
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Reviews (82)
10 Critics' Reviews
"In its score, the creators of this sung-through show, Sharp and Carbonara, have made something beautiful and delicate. They’re billing this piece as a musical, though, and I wouldn’t call it that…The story — ostensibly concerning a theater on in 1910, as motion pictures begin to threaten live performance — is a murk of confusion that only grows…The band is excellent, the sound is full and the show is fast and fluid. But 'Evening' is more a song cycle than a piece of theater." Full Review
"'Evening' has some of the most exquisitely crafted music to be heard on the New York stage right now...The show's fuzzy story line too often makes us feel like we're leafing through an album of unfocused photos...This is a bit frustrating in a production whose gorgeous songs deserve more...Despite its snapshot of a tale, 'Evening — 1910' has much to recommend it. It is certainly a musical journey into the past that's worth taking." Full Review
“The experience of ‘Evening 1910’ is rather like sifting through old sepia photographs, now faded, trying to discern what they looked like when new. There is some exceptionally lovely music to be heard here, but if this piece is to have a further life, it needs stronger characters and action, as well as a substantial rethink of its design...There is work of much quality here, but the creators currently don't have the right frame in which to present it.” Full Review
“'Evening-1910' is sung-through. That’s how Sharp and Carbonara tell their enchanting tale, which, to be truthful, is ever so slightly vague...The team’s approach here is to keep everything from stopping to settle on one aspect...The result is beautiful to watch, simultaneously lulling and stimulating...I highly recommend you go. If you do, I might see you there, because I’m certainly returning to be mesmerized by it once again." Full Review
"My initial reaction was 'pretty and pretty boring'...But this show is not one you easily see without letting your thoughts and feelings simmer...It’s a great credit that its team has made me think more about the show since leaving the theatre. Sharp and Carbonara have put together a truly beautiful and poetic score, one of the best currently in the city even...That said, it unfortunately suffers from same-melody syndrome...It’s still best coined as a song cycle." Full Review
"Paired with wonderful music and lyrics, the show was promised to be a success. And yet it left very mixed feelings. The director Randy Sharp, perhaps, decided to compensate for the virtually nonexistent set with busy choreography...Even though the busy choreography was over-the-top, I would take it any day of the week over theatrical clichés, especially with the delightful cast of young and talented actors." Full Review
"Credit goes to all the fine actors. The interactions of these characters are what make up the plot, such as it is, but plot isn’t the strength of this production. The narrative structure is dream-like: action swirls in and out of focus, constantly moving, dimly lit except where highlighted...Not exactly a play, this feels more like a staged concert, a theatrical experience...The beautiful songs are sung by the actor/singers who all have lovely voices." Full Review
“'Evening-1910' poetically intertwines moments of New York history with softly drawn portraits of characters...Although there is a slight narrative, ‘Evening’ is more of a tone poem...Mr. Carbonara’s score possesses an ethereal sound, one of longing and broken hearts...The cast are all exquisite singers, and as an ensemble their sound is gorgeous...Watching ‘Evening’ is like peering through a kinetoscope and being touched by the solitary sadness of each character’s flickering image.” Full Review
"Director Randy Sharp and music director Paul Carbonara have put together a magnificent and poetic musical score...However, with almost 40 songs all evoking the same soft 1900s folk melody, the story tends to get lost and boring, no matter what the lyrics speak...The cast shines together though, moving in a patiently practiced dance choreographed by Lynn Mancinelli that is aesthetically mesmerizing, like watching old photographs move." Full Review
"One is tempted to call it a 'rock opera'...because it is highly impressionistic, consisting of many character songs and expository production numbers, as opposed to active, plot-driving dramatic tunes. But Carbonara’s and Sharp’s gorgeous, melodic songs and the cast’s impressive, 'legit' harmonizing seem the furthest thing from rock...Very few directors have the power or the skill to make me rethink theatre in this way, to fake me out and surprise me and fill me with wonder." Full Review
72 Members' Reviews
See it if you're up for a musical that doesn't feel like a musical -- more like a fuzzy dream sequence in song. It was lovely if a a bit slow.
Don't see it if you want a clearly-defined plot or a lot of razzle dazzle.
See it if You like pleasant mood music, singing choreography and dance with a bit of a plot about the era.
Don't see it if if you don't like sitting in uncomfortably low seats for a long 70 minutes
See it if You'd like to learn a bit about life on The Lower East Side in the early 1900's...
Don't see it if You get bored easily...
See it if You want to see something original. It's not a musical. It's a theatre piece. Beautifully written, directed, sung. Visually Beautiful. Go!
Don't see it if are expecting a "normal" musical. It's a theatre piece. Judge it for what it is, not what your expectations of it are.
See it if You're in the mood for live music and like pretty ballads. Singers and musicians are knockouts.
Don't see it if You feel stupid when you don't know whats going on.
See it if very good singing dancing lighting and music
Don't see it if Continued from above......the characters are not identified.. the music is low key. and the cast is is in tune with each other and
See it if you enjoy excellent choral singing as well as wonderful solo singers. Beautiful music and good choreography that good use of awkward space.
Don't see it if you do not like opera. The performance is totally sung.
See it if You enjoy folk music and turn of the century setting/costumes. And if you can appreciate arty, vague storytelling.
Don't see it if You dislike musicals with no dialogue or a lot of repetitive movements.
See it if You'd like a new musical w/great singing & production-& adequate acting. The plot is so underdeveloped, we thought the end was intermission!
Don't see it if The fact that it is new doesnt make this one note (!) musical w/no character development (so u CAN'T care), or memorable songs worth seeing.
See it if You love besutiful music and want to be able to say "I saw it in a tiny theater" before they sort out the book & people love it on Bway
Don't see it if You get so judgy about the book that needs development that you can't appreciate the gorgeous score, memorable songs, excellent performers
See it if You're interested in experimental theater
Don't see it if You need your shows to have a plot (this show doesn't really have one)
See it if you enjoy darkly lighted, slow moving, confusing plots; Band is excellent.
Don't see it if You are easily bored and hate dark stages.
See it if Well staged for a small space. The story nicely incorporated in the music. Band plays constantly and don't miss a beat.
Don't see it if If you need to have a book along with the music and lyrics.
See it if You like song and dance without the need for strong story. Great singers, interesting songs, interesting "story." (Poor lighting design)
Don't see it if You need a strong story. Or if in a play about immigration in 1910, you think the casting might lack...imagination.
See it if You want to hear a talented ensemble sing pretty songs.
Don't see it if No book so the story is VERY light. Musical numbers become repetitive & come off more as vignettes encompassing a theme rather than a story
See it if you value work for its potential. This needs a story/a book desperately. But the raw talent of the cast, musicians, music itself: amazing!
Don't see it if you want a big show, or a coherent story. It's missing a lot right now.
See it if you like musicals with no dialogues
Don't see it if it's little confusing and repetitive many times
See it if Well written and great expression on stage
Don't see it if you don't like period pieces
See it if you like pretty music, sung well.
Don't see it if pretty music, sung well, might put you to sleep...
See it if You love intimate theater with beautiful music and clever visuals.
Don't see it if If you are bothered when the story is secondary to the aesthetic and performances. The story does lack clarity.
See it if You like period pieces, innovative theater, sung through musicals, small theaters, good music.
Don't see it if You need a strong plot or lots of flashy sets and costumes.
See it if you enjoy small, black-box theatre. Very intimate space, provides for up close and personal viewing. Pleasant music, great harmonies.
Don't see it if Awkward lighting design left actors faces masked by shadows. Direction was clunky and heavy handed. Talented cast in an uneven book.
See it if You want to be absorbed into a story told through beautiful music. The story is a bit abstract and it is sung through but is brilliant
Don't see it if You want something that isn't a musical or do not like shows completely sung through. Other than those things go see this show now!!!
See it if You like good young actors with good voices. Simple staging and a great live band
Don't see it if You want to see a show that you can follow or tells a story that makes any sense. The pretty theater and the pleasant voices didnt cut it.
See it if You enjoy original music and a story that makes you think, feel for all of the characters, and walk away feeling glad you saw it.
Don't see it if If you don't enjoy minimal staging and no speech aside from what is expressed in the songs.