safeword. NYC Reviews and Tickets
Member Reviews (131)
See it if You want to see a smart show about lies, secrets, communication and relationships set in a world of BDSM. Well done and not too explicit.
Don't see it if BDSM makes you uncomfortable.
See it if you really liked Afterglow & want to see a fairly frank (if mostly chaste & clinical) look at BDSM, fidelity, identity & sexual boundaries.
Don't see it if u expect to satisfy ur prurient, voyeuristic curiosity via onstage titillation; u want more than clichéd characters in an awkward talkfest. Read more
See it if you like a well written drama about S & M with good character development. No nudity and any action was part of the story and not gratuitous
Don't see it if you don't like any story about S & M or plots involving gay or gender bending characters. Read more
See it if Normalising attempt (gay v. straight juxtaposition) fifty shadings of the ties-that-bind outlier topic. Unexpected dungeon in the attic set.
Don't see it if Titilations of "Afterglow" not to be found here. And the final word is "Done," as in done and dumber. Read more
See it if You want to see a show that deals with an interesting fetish that many people are probably not aware of or at least do not understand
Don't see it if You are expecting a lot of nudity like the last play by this author Read more
See it if you want to understand the motivations behind BDSM. Since the lead is a nurse, I would rename this show Fifty Shades of Gray's Anatomy.
Don't see it if seeing variant lifestyles depicted on stage makes you uncomfortable. Read more
See it if If you would enjoy examining different points of view on SNM and relationships, if you like plots about topics not usually address in plays.
Don't see it if You are sensitive about SNM snd fo not particularly enjoy plots about alternative relationships.
See it if you are interested in sadomasochistic affairs, psychological difficulties of marital & non-traditional friendship relationships & good plot.
Don't see it if you dislike phychological exploration of "deviant," often sexual, behavior, it's effects on relationships & possible origins.
Critic Reviews (8)
“Gelman’s second play, ‘Safeword’, is hoping to do for bondage what ‘Afterglow’ did for open marriage. But here, the characters are unfinished, and overall the play promises more than it can deliver...Gelman, who also directs, seems more concerned with disproving myths and setting up perfect tableaus than he does in creating characters we want to spend time with. We’re never privy to what makes these people tick; they’re all painted in broad, generic strokes."
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"Does 'safeword.' hold together as a gripping, well-written, original play that provokes meaningful discussion about BDSM — or, if not, at least provides some titillation? The answer is No...Few will be surprised by the ending of this story, which is curiously banal for such an intriguing setup...Despite the plot's triteness, the actors do their best to breathe life into Gelman's dreary dialogue."
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"Asher here continues to mine the subject of human sexuality, but lightning has not struck twice. That is chiefly due to Asher’s misguidedly grandiose direction emphasizing stylish spectacle at the expense of the clunky plot...We’re physically distant from the characters which adds detachment from them as well. The main problem is the flawed writing...Though 'safeword.’'s promising premise is frustratingly realized it does impart pertinent facts."
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“It’s an honest attempt to unmask the preconceived notions of this world, but unfortunately...the whole thing whips back and forth from pleasing to awkward, even when it’s not intended...The actors work their damnedest to keep it together...working hard to make the play feel real and important...For a show that wants to titillate and excite, ‘safeword.’ falters, finding a way to be overly instructional and explanatory, and not as progressive, exciting, or interesting as intended.”
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"'safeword.' attempts to introduce audiences to bondage, domination, and sadomasochism, but mostly, it’s a lukewarm drama with whips and chains...The scenarios often seem too contrived...The major problem with this play is in the approach. Gelman wins major accolades for highlighting difficult topics. Yet here, it translates into the stuff of corporate training videos...Consequently, it doesn’t give the cast enough material to savor. Pacing is also problematic."
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"There's a promising premise here for a comedy-drama about secrets and lies, hypocrisy, identity, friendship, love, marriage, power, and sexual boundary crossing. But the tortuous, if not torturous plot, and the two-dimensional characters and dialogue remain bogged down in insufficiently witty, soap-opera clichés…The actors lack the charisma, energy, and charm to make us care one way or the other…Gelman's dull pacing drags the piece down well before it's over."
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"Gelman’s plot feels more contrived, and its effect isn’t as strong...Gelman has respect for his subject, but at times the dialogue sounds more suited to an educational video about BDSM...But there are serious problems both regarding Micah’s willingness and logical plot points...Once the characters’ credibility falters, so does the story’s impact. Nonetheless, the actors are fine."
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"Might call to mind some steamy, sexy, gay bondage tale, but 'safeword.' is about so much more...'safeword.' thoughtfully and carefully uncovers these themes through excellent writing and the appreciable talents of its cast...More perfect actors could not have been found to portray these complicated but sincere people, and under Gelman’s splendid direction this play makes for a moving and thought-provoking evening of theater."
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