Return to Spoon River NYC Reviews and Tickets

62%

(27 Ratings)

Positive

41%

Mixed

41%

Negative

18%

Members say

Disappointing, Banal, Dated, Confusing, Entertaining

About the Show

In Creative Arts Lab's stage adaptation of Edgar Lee Masters' 'Spoon River Anthology,' two strangers return to their hometown to say one last goodbye to their pasts.

Julia and Ham meet and journey together through the Spoon River cemetery. There they—and the audience—encounter the town's departed who speak and sing of their lives, their loves, and their town as they guide the living in their search for truth. These memories are complemented by performances of traditional American songs and hymns such as “Down to the River to Pray,” “Simple Gifts,” and “Battle Cry of Freedom.”

Show-Score Member Reviews (27)

Lovely, Confusing, Nostalgic, Disjointed

See it if you'll appreciate old hymns and songs with on-stage musicians and a compilation of various memories; lovely music and movement

Don't see it if feels more about the place than the people as some memories not clearly attached to the modern story which makes it feel disjointed

Uneven, Ambitious, Disappointing

See it if Some episodes moving-others miss mark.Absurd jumble of accents.Old hymns and familiar songs with good musicians but not always the singers

Don't see it if Remember book with great fondness. Read more

Entertaining, Great singing, Slow

See it if You want to hear familiar songs intertwined with remembrances of small town characters.

Don't see it if You want new songs rather than old folk songs.

Shallow waters

See it if You like comfort food theater in small doses. First five rows a must to stay woke. Elder Ham most likable, but just supporting filler piece!

Don't see it if Ticket cost is double digits. Boring and unmemorable show. Not good or bad, simply the definition of mediocrity. Who has the time for meh? Read more

Dull, slow, Community theater, Some good musicians, Sleepy, Old-fashioned

See it if you like small vignettes with moral, small-time themes. Enjoy hymns and spirituals. Like watching actors play multiple characters.

Don't see it if Want a faithful retelling of SRA, expect all the actors to be good, aren't bothered by jumbled storytelling, don't like many odd accents.

Disappointing, Confusing, Dated, Fluffy, Indulgent

See it if You're an actor like me who's never seen this classic text performed outside of class. If you have patience for fluffy, musical revisions.

Don't see it if You don't like church music added to a classic poetic play that's already hard to understand and execute by actors. ( I was disappointed)

Banal, Disappointing, Slow, Ambitious

See it if You're really bored and can't findd anything else available

Don't see it if You have high standards

Ambitious, Disappointing, Professional looking vanity project

See it if can't think of any reason.

Don't see it if you have anything better to do.

Critic Reviews (1)

Trailer

Creative team