Live in Theater presents an immersive, outdoor theater piece inspired by 'Life' magazine's 1965 photo essay about two New York City junkies: John and Karen.
... Read moreThese pictures shocked readers by bringing the grim reality of addiction into the American living room. The infamous “Needle Park” is the backdrop for an interactive journey where 14 participants are immersed in the world of John and Karen. You will traverse the Lower East Side and play roles—friends, family, fellow drug addicts—as you bond and become complicit in the love story at the heart of these “two lives lost to heroin.” The 80-minute show is performed entirely outdoors, rain or shine. To make your experience more comfortable, please try to avoid bringing any bags and wear comfortable shoes as there is some walking. Ages 16 and up.
"The ensemble is obviously great at what they do...The main source of my discomfort: by using the same two characters from a 1960s photo essay, are we not continuing the whitewashing (read: Black erasure) of history?...We are asked to remove ourselves from the realities of this park, to ignore the actually homeless people...There is a difference between the discomfort of experiencing a difficult reality through theater, and being asked to participate in something tactless and in poor taste." Full Review
"D’Amore’s chilling new interactive production...The drama is staged completely outdoors, and the less-than-polished part of LES effectively invokes the grittiness of 1960s New York drug culture...Both actors are deft at developing their characters and giving three-dimensional life to images from the photo essay...They don’t allow us to be passive observers, and it’s purposefully uncomfortable at points...There is no fourth wall, and no escaping the bid for intimacy." Full Review
See it if you enjoy interacting w/the actors. You're up for an immersive "day in the life" of white middle class drug addicts (true story).
Don't see it if you don't like shows w/no 4th wall. You don't like being outdoors or walking 90-min. You want insights into root causes of drug addiction.
Also If you'd like an immersive (though low budget) experience & a chance t... Read more Read less
See it if you enjoy stories about life and its challenges, musicals for children.
Don't see it if outrageous talk, complicated, consuming to some, get emotional about families, challenging
See it if ..You are curios about immersive and interactive theater with a social agenda, great acting and clever use of location.
Don't see it if ..You don't like walking and occasionally even running.
See it if You like "Immersive Theatre". The acting is great and the story is fun, educational and romantic.
Don't see it if You're not up to wandering around the Lower East Side for an hour and a half.
See it if you're looking for an engaging and unique experience. These actors are so phenomenal and committed. Gets uncomfortable, but never boring.
Don't see it if you don't want to participate in the action or be put in awkward situations where you have to improvise an unsavory scene.
Also I would recommend trying this even if it's out of your comfort zone. I... Read more Read less
See it if You are up for interactive theater about the underbelly, drug addict scene of the 1960's and liked the movie "Panic in Needle Park".
Don't see it if It's not a passive exp--so if you don't want to interact with the actors/other audience members or feel uncomfortable improv-ing when asked
Also I highly recommend googling the photo essay in Life magazine (Feb 1965... Read more Read less
See it if It's a nice day out. The entire show takes place outside and there is quite a bit of walking.
Don't see it if You have social anxiety and are unwilling to participate in the show. Participation is minimal, though, so don't be scared!
See it if You like immersive interactive theater about a serious subject and walking around Lower East Side
Don't see it if You want your theater nice n easy it is a Black Mirror experience nothing new in content. But still powerful
See it if you are intrigued by the idea of immersive interactive participatory theatre, especially if you have never seen a good example of that genre
Don't see it if you want a scripted play or anything traditionally staged, or you would be terrified at being called upon to do improv acting
Also I have always been very skeptical of these audience-participation thea... Read more Read less
See it if You enjoy outdoor immersive experiences dealing with themes that are as relevant today as they were in the 60's.
Don't see it if Uncomfortable being part of the lives of addicts, or if you expect to sit, relax and watch a story unfold.
See it if you like immersive theater, non-conventional plays, and interacting with characters.
Don't see it if you want to sit in comfy chairs and watch a play unfold without participating in it.
Also The play is performed in outdoor public parks. As such, I'm not sure w... Read more Read less
See it if You enjoy immersive shows in non-traditional spaces. You like being outdoors. You like shows based on real people.
Don't see it if You don't want to participate: no hiding in the back row here. You have trouble walking. You're uncomfortable w/addiction themes.
Also This was a very positive experience! The actors were very good, though... Read more Read less
See it if You enjoy new,different, interactive shows that take place out in the streets of new York city.
Don't see it if You want to sit in a theater and don't enjoy immersive shows with audience participation
See it if You want a unique experience. Kinda like Sleep No More but with more heroin.
Don't see it if Audience interaction stresses you out.
See it if you want to try a novel, interactive, unpredictable, fun yet relevant street theater experience that'll keep you guessing from start to end
Don't see it if you are too timid or a killjoy to participate in such interactive show as there will be a lot of impromptu reactions & some acting required.
Also This is one unique NYC (live in) theater/ experience one must try at l... Read more Read less
See it if You like interactive plays, spontaneity, improvisation, walking around, drugs&cursing doesn't bother you, being involved in the plot
Don't see it if You want to sit, you're boring, get tired easy, walking in the LES&alleys scare you, don't want to participate or be involved in a scene,
Also I think this play was fun & great, but meeting up with the group was c... Read more Read less
See it if You like to experience theatre in non-traditional forms, you like immersive experiences that give you a chance to be part of the action
Don't see it if You don't want to do some walking around the LES, you're super boring and don't want to become a part of the experience
See it if You enjoy immersive theatre where you yourself get to become apart of the storytelling.
Don't see it if Heroin or domestic abuse is an emotional trigger, if you don't like interacting with the actors, or if you don't like walking around much.
Also It's an incredible show, I've never seen anything like it. It's so com... Read more Read less
See it if You really want to immerse yourself into the characters, stories and streets of the show.
Don't see it if You're not comfortable with improv or being called upon, direct interaction with characters or can't walk a lot.
See it if You like immersive theater and role playing
Don't see it if You want to see a more traditional type of show
See it if You're open to interacting extensively with an excellent two-person cast and to dark storylines, including drug abuse and prostitution.
Don't see it if You don't like to interact, are not comfortable with dark material or want a traditional experience instead of immersive.
Also The actors are fantastic and flip between friendly and charismatic to ... Read more Read less
See it if You want to experience an immersive outdoor theater experience; You are interested in learning about people who struggle with addiction
Don't see it if You are uncomfortable being a part of the action, especially in public.
See it if You like immersive/participatory theater; the quality of the acting (by the actual cast members) matters more than the clarity of the story.
Don't see it if You're averse to audience participation or doing a lot of walking; you're looking for a play with a clear plot or an actual designed set.
Also Live in Theater should be commended for trying to do something origina... Read more Read less
See it if You enjoy interactive theater
Don't see it if You prefer to simply sit in an audience
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