Matata and Jesse James: An American Tragedy NYC Reviews and Tickets

77%

(31 Reviews)

Positive

90%

Mixed

10%

Negative

Members say

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

About the Show

The Castillo Theatre presents a new drama which draws on folklore and the historical record to tell the bitter tale of America during the Reconstruction Era.

'Matata and Jesse James' juxtaposes two Missouri families - that of Matata, a former African American slave, with that of of Jesse James, known as a friend to the poor who'd fought for the Confederacy. Can these poor Americans find common ground in the Civil War’s aftermath? The color line runs deep through our country's history and culture.

Member Reviews (31)

Absorbing, Ambitious, Relevant, Thought-provoking, Disappointing

See it if You want to see a show that’s interesting, well staged, well acted yet feels unfinished or still in a workshop phase.

Don't see it if You want a fully realized piece of work. This feels like the ending was rushed and doesn’t match the rest of the pace.

Intense, Thought-provoking, Relevant, Great staging, Clever

See it if you'd like to contemplate relationships of the Civil War era and juxtapose them to current times. Some standout acting.

Don't see it if you cannot appreciate the possible tug and pull of white-black relationships following the abolition of slavery and today's continuance.

Critic Reviews (1)

"Friedman touches the raw nerve of race relations in American history which has not been fully resolved yet...The production is very handsome...Woods Jr. directed this production with obvious care for detail. He maintains pace and rhythm of the scenes and uses space quite ingeniously...Solid cast...Each maintains distinct a characterization and together they create a microcosm of the vast American social landscape during and post-Civil War that resonates still today."
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