The Dork Knight
Closed 1h 20m
The Dork Knight
87

The Dork Knight NYC Reviews and Tickets

87%
(96 Ratings)
Positive
95%
Mixed
5%
Negative
0%
Members say
Funny, Entertaining, Clever, Great acting, Absorbing

About the Show

Primary Stages presents Jason O’Connell’s solo show tracing the ups and downs of his life through the prism of his love/hate relationship with the 'Batman' movies.

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Show-Score Member Reviews (96)

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100 Reviews | 15 Followers
100
Clever, Great acting, Entertaining, Delightful, Exquisite

See it if loved show saw it twice. tooK my grandchildren 2nd time; if it plays again will go again. JASON A STAR WRITER/ ACTOR/PERSON

Don't see it if YOU HATE EXCELLENCE

76 Reviews | 10 Followers
100
Entertaining, Funny, Great acting, Clever, Intelligent

See it if you like batman, or just if you want to see great acting!

Don't see it if you are looking for a musical

1166 Reviews | 464 Followers
95
Resonant, Clever, Profound, Funny, Masterful

See it if You’ve ever felt like what was on the inside is more important than what’s on the outside. Funny. Inspirational. Clever. Smart. Current.

Don't see it if This was a GREAT show, even if you hate one person shows I would urge you to take a chance on this one, that might be only reason not to go. Read more

87 Reviews | 25 Followers
95
Heartfelt, Touching, Hilarious, Great acting

See it if You like one man shows, memoir pieces, know of Jason’s work or would like to discover it. Very entertaining and satisfying personal story.

Don't see it if You don’t care about Batman or superhero culture. You don’t like any of the actors in the Batman films that Jason does great Impressions of. Read more

100 Reviews | 64 Followers
95
Absorbing, Delightful, Great acting, Great writing, Quirky

See it if you're ready for a night of roller coaster emotions and really amazing impressions, you want to see an actor doing what he loves

Don't see it if you don't want to see a one-man show about his life, you really don't care for pop culture references

Al
127 Reviews | 888 Followers
95
Delightful, Enchanting, Entertaining, Absorbing, Hilarious

See it if you enjoy movies and/or would enjoy an endearingly told story of a geeky young man's coming of age. You needn't have seen the Batman movies.

Don't see it if the Batman theme is a turnoff you won't be able to overcome.

170 Reviews | 36 Followers
91
Clever, Entertaining, Funny, Great acting, Great writing

See it if you like small 1 person shows that use pop culture as an metaphor for ones personal life.

Don't see it if you want a big show or don't really associate with pop culture, namely comic books and super hero movies and especially Batman Read more

70 Reviews | 16 Followers
90
Entertaining, Great acting, Great writing, Great staging, Hilarious

See it if you love batman (though I'm not a particularly huge fan and I still really enjoyed this)

Don't see it if you have some kind of beef with batman comics

Critic Reviews (10)

Theatermania
January 17th, 2017
For a previous production

"It’s not O'Connell's alter ego as a Dork Knight that makes for the biggest reveal of the night — but rather the fact that within this small solo piece is hiding one of New York's finest undiscovered actors…The passion with which O'Connell extols the virtues of Batman mixes an intoxicating Kool-Aid for even the superhero averse...O'Connell is a remarkably honest performer and writes himself a candid, hilarious, and surprisingly moving monologue to match."
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Lighting & Sound America
January 18th, 2017
For a previous production

"The whole my-life-as-a-Bat-fan concept becomes strained after a while. Some of the humor doesn't land as strongly as it might, although this may be because O'Connell is still honing his delivery. Still, the actor is never less than engaging...Tony Speciale's staging has a casual intimacy that makes 'The Dork Knight' easy to like...What keeps 'The Dork Knight' engaging throughout is O'Connell's honesty, which sometimes approaches the self-lacerating."
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Talkin' Broadway
January 18th, 2017
For a previous production

"Why shouldn't what we love represent who we are? In his sparkling one-man play, O'Connell explores this idea with both a seriousness and a hilarity that will make you reconsider your own devotions...Humor is his chief building block...But he can be effortlessly moving, too...Which isn't to say it's perfect...O'Connell is at his enviable best when he drops the costumes and lets his underlying humanity speak for itself. Luckily, that happens frequently enough to keep 'Dork Knight' richly involving."
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TheaterScene.net
January 18th, 2017
For a previous production

“This raw, funny, intense, and magnetically performed autobiographical solo show is at times a draining experience due to its fierce personal revelations that are imparted in a confined space…O’Connell’s script is a well-structured series of confessional anecdotes interwoven with the lore of the movies. His performance is a riveting blend of stand-up comedy and grand stage acting with Shakespearean flourishes…'The Dork Knight' is an engrossing work of therapeutic entertainment.”
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Theater Pizzazz
January 18th, 2017
For a previous production

“What sets O’Connell apart is both his desire and remarkable ability to inhabit—and ape—the central characters of that film. I defy anyone to find a better Michael Keaton impersonator anywhere…'The Dork Knight' doesn’t stand out for its story, for it’s a familiar one…Rather, it’s O’Connell’s personal insight into how these films reflect, reveal and develop his personality and, more importantly, his love for, and remarkable skill at, acting.”
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Stage Buddy
January 17th, 2017
For a previous production

"A hilarious celebration of the Dark Knight and his fans…His intimate performance brings out the humor of the connections he draws between Batman and his life, keeping the audience laughing all while maintaining the contemplative and discerning tone that lends the play more significant dramatic weight…A hilarious concept made profound with its vulnerable, honest performance, 'The Dork Knight' is must-see theater for fans who grew up on superheroes."
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Theatre's Leiter Side
January 20th, 2017
For a previous production

“O'Connell...brings his endearing personality, abundantly versatile voice, and emotional depth to this autobiographical account of the role Batman-especially the movies-played in his life...Smartly staged by Tony Speciale in the three-quarters round..., exceptionally well lit by Zach Blane, and supplemented by (uncredited) sound effects, 'The Dork Knight' is a perfect vehicle for the personable O'Connell to demonstrate his considerable range as both a comic and serious actor.”
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Times Square Chronicles
January 18th, 2017
For a previous production

“'The Dork Knight' is a funny and touching 90-minute show that is heartbreakingly profound as it shows us just who Jason O’Connell is. From this show I gained a respect for Mr. O’Connell, both as a storyteller and an actor. When he becomes Heath Ledger as the Joker, I longed to see O’Connell play some darker roles as he scared me in a good way with his performance. O’Connell is one terrific actor and this is one terrific show."
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