The Comedian's Tragedy

See it if Greek playwright fights with rulers & gods, falls in love, and is doomed to live in his own tragedy. Poetic, well acted, cleverly written.

Don't see it if The characters emote a lot but I didn’t feel anything for them. Go if you want to see an impressive intellectual accomplishment. 2.5 hours

See it if Sone good acting and very good direction. Intresting story amongst a theater that was 80 plus degreed.

Don't see it if You need to think with this one. Focus is a must. If you do not like Greek stories.

See it if you love ancient Greek culture, theater history, hybrid forms, a theater of ideas or smart new scripts.

Don't see it if metatheatricality, even when it’s “sincere”, leaves you cold, confused, or both.

Also The string of smart, affecting, innovative new plays opening Off- or Off-Off-Broadway at season’s end continues with “The Comedian's Tragedy” (which has had a Minneapolis run). This is high concept theater that doesn’t let its concept box it in. The lead character, played brilliantly by playwright Matthew Amendt, is Aristophanes, whose plays define for us “Greek comedy,” but here decides to write a tragedy because he’s fallen in love. Early cacophonous scenes with lots of characters make you think you’ll be watching a metatheatrical farce. But once love hits, the stage clears & the action sharpens for several few-character scenes that draw on drama’s standard virtues as understood for centuries. There’s an ongoing theatrical & philosophical debate between Aris & the chorus, Aris & a chameleon pair (Socrates & Alcibiades or Apollo & Dionysus), Aris & his barbarian lover. But the debates only have meaning because the story of love & power touches on the tragic, & so, touches us.... Read more Read less

See it if Greek mythology is a passion. Interesting interpertaion of the gods, their relationships and amusements.

Don't see it if you haven't reviewed who's who in the pantheon. Its easy to miss motivations and details without the background info

See it if you'd like an enjoyable off off Broadway production, well written, wonderfully acted and nicely staged with very different wall art/lighting

Don't see it if you are looking for a lavish production, do not like ancient theater, or cannot sit for two long acts in a very warm theater.

See it if Several engaging actors w/ dazzling speeches: Menzel, D’Ambrose, & Amendt excellent. A gloriously clever riddle at the core of the show.

Don't see it if you expect finessed playwrighting. Soapy subplots don’t resonate. Big questions re courage & fate handled through comic book conventions.

Also The plot is functional but feels manufactured. The script wouldn't be out of place among CGI fantasy features and it showcases the brand of heroism that’s marketed to males 18-24. Aris is an orphan and a playboy. His powerful enemy is notable mostly for being a jealous dick. The play installs a random woman who is perilously close to a manic pixie dream girl as she just starts confronting & following Aris with no ostensible purpose but to improve him.

The play turns out to be more than its plotting, though, and its melding of theories of myth and theories of drama is delightful. Strong payoff.... Read more Read less

See it if interested in Greek history, mythology,theater, language driven plays. Amdent, who is also the playwright & Menzel are exceptional.

Don't see it if you don't want to spend 2 1/2 hrs in an uncomfortably warm theater. However, if you stick it out, you will be amply rewarded.

See it if You're looking for great writing

Don't see it if The classics don't interest you

See it if you like Greek mythology with a twist, fantastic acting (Amendt and Menzel) and verbal sparring asking what if Aris(tophanes) wrote tragedy

Don't see it if you don't know some Greek mythology, can't appreciate ingenious staging on a shoestring, can't sit for 2.5+ hours in sauna-like conditions.

See it if You’re into ancient Greek story; kudos to the leading actor; low cost but efficient production

Don't see it if 2.5 hrs in a warm theatre; script needs trim;

See it if Matthew Amendt's sheer genius shapes Athens in 423 BCE, where Aris (young Aristophanes) faces war, plague and tyranny but seeks hope.

Don't see it if you don't like classics, brilliant language, profundity & acting that teach us more about the indomitably of the human spirit.

Also Aristophanes wrestles with himself & gods. The play proves that a small off-off Broadway theater can mount theater nearly as good as the best you have ever seen.

While not quite perfect, the young playwright's first show, & a remarkable piece of theater by any measure, premiered in the Twin Cities and deservedly won at least one rave review.

The play is filled with wonderment and awe despite the horrors Athens has faced & losses suffered by Aris, who now finds himself goaded both into success and a charge of treason by a new love, an enemy of the state who nevertheless reveres Athens thanks to the defiant light it shines for the entire world.

In the 2nd performance, a few actors missed a line or two---in a 2 1/2 hour work---but otherwise it shown a pretty commanding troupe of professionals in a seamless & resoundingly thought-provoking work.

So good, I'saw it again. Red Bull, Roundabout, please do it.

This show runs until July 6. If you relish great theater, see it before then... Read more Read less

See it if you like language-driven big plays about ideas. You like Greek plays or classics or even classic themes about the meaning of life and art.

Don't see it if You want lighter fare. There are plenty of laughs in this show but the comedy is elevated and intelligent with references to Greek mythology

Also Fantastic cast that includes Bway actors Matthew Amendt, Derek Smith and the superb Ron Menzel. This show isn't for everyone but if you liked thought-provoking shows that spark dialogue and debate like SOCRATES at the Public or any of the shows that Theatre for a New Audience produces, this will be right up your alley.... Read more Read less

See it if Strong acting and staging. Writer fully bought into conceit/theme/language.

Don't see it if I wanted to like this, but the scenes just didn't do much for me.

See it if You enjoy intelligent writing with great storyline and excellent acting. And if you know something about Greek mythology. Very good play!

Don't see it if You cannot pay attention or if your mind tends to wander. Or if you do not Ike to think.

See it if you enjoy mythic tales based on the stories of old, clever usage of sets and blacklights, or intense acting that draws you into the story.

Don't see it if you do not enjoy small black box productions or would like to see a big-budget show. May be confusing if you don't know Greek mythology.

See it if you enjoy kind of vaudeville played by great actors esp. G.Lowery & M. Amendt. You want to learn more about Greek mythology & literature.

Don't see it if you don't want to be reminded of present chaos as well as lack of moral values.

See it if you enjoy quick-witted theatre, enjoy comedy, or are perhaps a former thespian.

Don't see it if you really can't stand un-air conditioned spaces or need your theatre to be done in 2 hours or less

Also A well-written and paced play with spot-on acting with broad audience appeal.
The chorus leader is engaging and funny, often appealing to the audience (no participation required). As the leader of the story, he brings the plot along easily and the actors play off each other very well from scene to scene. There is no lull in the plot or acting.
The script makes use of both some traditions of Greek theatre and some more modern conventions which lends itself well to a modern audience who may or may not be overly familiar with Greek traditions.
The staging was done well, especially for this being in a smaller theatre. While the space is physically small, the actors and staging don't feel cramped to look at and the central piece (table/grave/et al) works well for staging multiple scenes. It would be nice to see this in a larger space (and deservedly so).

The play is approx 2.5 hours with an intermission, so it is recommended you come prepared for a warm space in the summer.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy an intimate, modern, relevant take on classic Greek storytelling full of love, politics and tragedy at a good pace.

Don't see it if You want your classics unadulterated or are uninterested in a drama.

See it if Like Greek tragedy and don't a more modern twist. Prefer smaller theaters.

Don't see it if You would be bothered by modern clothes in a Greek tragedy.

See it if You want to get your mind racing deciphering Greek metaphors and symbols, and thinking about the importance of theater arts.

Don't see it if You don’t want to be very close to the actors, or don’t like Greek history

Also I really enjoyed the scenery, to me it represented Aris’ brain. It brought me many questions about humans and gods relationship between each other and among one another... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy well acted theater with interesting concepts

Don't see it if are looking for something light, can not walk up 4 flights of stairs , do not mind that it might be somewhat warm in the theater