The Hairy Ape NYC Reviews and Tickets

86%

(288 Ratings)

Positive

95%

Mixed

Negative

Members say

Great staging, Great acting, Ambitious, Absorbing, Intense

About the Show

Park Avenue Armory and the Old Vic present O’Neill's expressionist drama, a searing social commentary on the divide between the rich and poor in the industrial age. Starring Emmy winner and Tony nominee Bobby Cannavale.

Cannavale stars as Yank, an unthinking laborer searching for his place in a world controlled by the wealthy. His journey from the bowels of a transatlantic ocean liner to the wealthy neighborhoods of New York society literally revolves around the audience like the conveyor belt of a larger machine, serving as a metaphor for the struggle between the working man and the industrial complex. The revival is directed by Olivier winner Richard Jones and is based on a previous mounting he helmed in London.

Show-Score Member Reviews (288)

Ambitious, Great staging, Must see, Riveting, Visually stunning

See it if You want to see an early O'Neill play done right. You like to be surprised at the theatre. You want to be mesmerized by an amazing piece

Don't see it if You think this might be a disney musical about a well meaning monkey. You don't like to pay attention. You have trouble with dialects.

Riveting, Resonant, Intense, Great staging, Great acting

See it if you're thrilled with the idea of epic theater. Genuinely inventive directorial contribution to a great play.

Don't see it if you like more conventional theater.

Absorbing, Great staging, Great acting

See it if You want to see amazing performances and incredible staging. So impressive!

Don't see it if You don't enjoy plays about the struggles between the classes

Great acting, Riveting

See it if into class distinction in 1922 which resonates in 2017 and brilliant staging as a backdrop to a stellar performance.

Don't see it if You want to miss a spectacular evening

Absorbing, Ambitious, Great acting, Great staging, Epic

See it if you like: Bobby C -relish his visceral performance; expressionism; innovative staging; class struggle that is still timely; striking imagery

Don't see it if you want light hearted fare; you don't like big, bold performances and staging; you're tired of social issues. Read more

Absorbing, Great acting, Great staging, Masterful, Profound

See it if you want to see one of the best Off-Broadway productions of the year; it takes you to another world and you never quite come back out of it.

Don't see it if you are opposed to Eugene O'Neill.

Absorbing, Clever, Great staging

See it if You want o see an imaginative, striking production with an Obie-worthy performance by Carnavale

Don't see it if if you can't relate to a time almost 100 yrs. ago when unions were on the rise, folks alienated by the splt betw. the rich & the common man.

Great staging, Profound, Relevant, Intelligent, Absorbing

See it if You want to see this play done on a truly grand scale. The actors are all top notch, the direction is brilliant. It's as relevant as ever.

Don't see it if You like your drama served straight up. This is a "re-imagining" that worked VERY WELL for me.

Critic Reviews (25)

"A-larger-than-life experience. Director Richard Jones’ vision is titanic...Bobby Cannavale is riveting in the title role, leading an ensemble cast of brilliant actors in Eugene O’Neill’s classic, naturalistic tale...The themes of Eugene O’Neill’s play are viscerally understood as every element of this production comes together...You have to experience the magnitude of this production. It is a true testament to the potency of Eugene O’Neill’s writing."
Read more

Trailer

Creative team