Rules of Desire NYC Reviews and Tickets

71%

(91 Reviews)

Positive

68%

Mixed

23%

Negative

Members say

Intense, Edgy, Absorbing, Great acting, Raunchy

About the Show

This world premiere drama explores issues of power, self-preservation, and profound humanism, as three characters battle for love, lust, and survival. Note: contains graphic sexual conversation.

From the show:

A startling and timely play by the author of EXTREMITIES, RULES OF DESIRE explores issues of power, self-preservation and profound humanism in the context of a frightening beautiful drama. Three characters battle for love, lust, and survival with stealth and a surprising element of comedy.

Member Reviews (91)

Entertaining, Clever, Absorbing, Ambitious

See it if If you want a serious, at times depressing. Good acting and strong language. Good lighting and sound.

Don't see it if If depressing matters are not for you. Strong language and content. Starts slow and picks up steam.

Twisted, Voyeuristic, Toxic

See it if A twisted and toxic chief naval officer "overbrimming with bitter bile" obsesses over his object of desire: A trapped victimised stowaway.

Don't see it if Necrophilia."I know how to bend a coat hanger/Let's look at the numbers & determine your value/I'd love to see you up your value/Drop towel" Read more

Thought-provoking, Intense, Edgy

See it if You want to see a playwright take a humongous chance and succeed.

Don't see it if You have trouble with gritty dramas that tackle subjects a lot of playwrights don’t have the guts to tackle. Read more

Slow

See it if Somewhat watchable show of a woman illegally snuck aboard a nuclear submarine and what happens.

Don't see it if It's all just talk, talk, talk. Nothing much really happens except a bizarre self-inflicted thing later on. Slow & repetitive. 1hr40min.

Ambitious, Relevant, Intense, Raunchy, Edgy

See it if You’re up for an intensely graphic tour of a porn-addicted misogynist’s brain.Sharp, graphic and honest writing, though unbelievable premise

Don't see it if Easily triggered by threats of sexual violence, remarkably frank vulgarity or extreme objectification of women and their bodies. Read more

The 'felicia' character shows how to stand your ground, tho she does strip to bra&panties. but no sex, cpo harvey weinstein!, Indulgent, Great acting, Christopher sutton plays the porn-programmed cpo & has 90% of the lines in the show. "waiting for godot"s lucky should be next for him?, There's no real or faux sex, just a lot of intimidation.

See it if I heard a lot of conflicting reviews about this show, but you'll only be offended if you're not a 'guy'. Porn talk is pretty normal for us.

Don't see it if Don't go if U R expecting a "sex show" or nudity. Most of it is talk-talk-talk, but it could offend people that are inexperienced sexually. Read more

Insipid, Disappointing, Ambitious

See it if You're curious to see a new William Mastrosimone play.

Don't see it if You want a play where the characters are fully fleshed out. Read more

Disappointing, Intense, Thought-provoking

See it if you want to get inside the brain of a damaged abuser. Great acting by this character.

Don't see it if you want a clear message, purpose, or vision that really makes you feel something. Read more

Critic Reviews (3)

"Through well-crafted expository dialogue Mr. Mastrosimone spins out his goofy and corrosive scenario during a taut 90 minutes. It is solid playwrighting resulting in an icky experience with compelling flashes, ultimately being an eerie minor entertainment."
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Score: 93%. "If you like strongly dramatic plays, go see this and see where true love lies."
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"The first new play by William Mastrosimone to premiere in New York in some time, this 90-minute, three-character piece is a head-scratcher: Whatever points it makes get muddled by ambiguous character development, a far-fetched setup and one long scene that gives new meaning to 'toxic masculinity.'"
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