That True Phoenix
Closed 2h 0m
That True Phoenix
73

That True Phoenix NYC Reviews and Tickets

73%
(28 Ratings)
Positive
68%
Mixed
28%
Negative
4%
Members say
Ambitious, Clever, Great acting, Entertaining, Confusing

About the Show

Team Awesome Robot presents the world premiere of this bio-show about the improbable life of Italian librettist, poet, professor, and priest Lorenzo Da Ponte.

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Show-Score Member Reviews (28)

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66 Reviews | 14 Followers
91
Absorbing, Ambitious, Great acting, Great writing, Intelligent

See it if You like real histories told in a truly theatrical way.

Don't see it if You need a lot of fancy costumes & huge set pieces.

572 Reviews | 138 Followers
90
Maxihybrid storytheatre / standup, Curry whitmire = lovechild genewilder + jon stewart, Dizzying, Hilariously entertaining, Wildly ambitious ride

See it if high octane, non-stop laugh machine, that frappes DaPonte's epic story with story theatre technique & an uber talented company can thrill u

Don't see it if have pre-established rules what a "play" should be, if you can't see yourself in the con, can't appreciate a flight of fancy & new forms

457 Reviews | 101 Followers
83
Too loud, too manic but 100% entertaining

See it if You want to be entertained and you don't mind having to work a little for it. Fascinating story told irreverently but with heart.

Don't see it if You have sensitive ears, you get dizzy from breakneck action. You need sets, scenery and a linear narrative. Read more

287 Reviews | 32 Followers
77
Hilarious, Clever, Great acting, Over the top

See it if You like historical farce or rooting for the underdog.

Don't see it if You don't enjoy a fast-paced show or multi-character actors. Read more

754 Reviews | 127 Followers
75
Energetic, Experimental, Creative, Ambitious, Surprising

See it if avant garde bare stage techniques & blind multi-character casting amuse rather then confuse you. The love child of Candide & Hamilton!

Don't see it if you are looking for a true biography of Da Ponte whose embroidery on his complicated life has been further expanded for dramatic effect.

117 Reviews | 13 Followers
75
Clever, Masterful, Refreshing, Thought-provoking, Ambitious

See it if You want to see an unusual presentation of characters' lives

Don't see it if You want details presented in a conventional manner

131 Reviews | 46 Followers
73
Entertaining, Epic, Refreshing, Thought-provoking, Long

See it if you're up to learning about a real historical figure in musical history; enjoy "trunk" shows (minimal set/props/costumes).

Don't see it if you like your theater with all the bells and whistles; want to see something short and sweet. Read more

102 Reviews | 23 Followers
70
Clever, Great staging, Fluffy

See it if You want to support a small theatre company with a lot of talent and potential.

Don't see it if You don't like extremely fast-paced storytelling.

Critic Reviews (3)

Times Square Chronicles
April 28th, 2017

"The actors are quick, funny and talented. The comedic timing and repetition of the piece is incredibly charming and consistent...If the show has any faults they are in the second act. The second act is not at all consistent with the first act in terms of tone...It redeems itself in the scene between Da Ponte and Mozart...Da Ponte is stripped to his soul and Whitmore does an excellent job of really breaking him down to his core desire...'That True Phoenix' is witty and entertaining."
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Z
April 28th, 2017

"The playwright, Kelley, and the director, Diercksen, report most of this story in a non-linear fashion, using many rapid-fire and humorous scenes and flashbacks...Through many of Mr. Kelley’s lines we get some glimpses of Da Ponte’s poetic use of language. The engaging Curry Whitmire comically plays Da Ponte. Isaiah Tanenbaum is gifted as the genius Mozart...Diercksen capably guides the remaining ensemble cast of four. They energetically play many different roles."
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New York Theatre Review
May 1st, 2017

"For a while, it seemed like Kelley’s 'That True Phoenix' would be simply a delightful, freewheeling 18th-century romp...And yet about halfway through the first act, we discover Kelley and director Diercksen are up to something a lot more interesting. Da Ponte is not exactly who he has been telling us...In addition to maintaining a sense of unity among the many design and storytelling elements, Diercksen also draws stellar, energetic, and acrobatic performances out of all of his actors."
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