The Life of Galileo NYC Reviews and Tickets

76%

(23 Ratings)

Positive

78%

Mixed

18%

Negative

Members say

Ambitious, Clever, Thought-provoking, Relevant, Great acting

About the Show

Irondale Ensemble presents a new staging of Bertolt Brecht's drama about the legendary astronomer and physicist and his battle between his scientific principles and the Catholic Church.

"Galileo" follows Galileo as he worked to prove the Copernican theory that the sun, not the earth, is the center of the universe. Galileo’s findings and claims challenged the Catholic Church’s omnipotent religious rule. Accused of heresy and brought to trial, Galileo forcefully recanted his findings and was confined to house arrest for the rest of his life, forbidden to continue to write further about a moving earth or a stationary sun. The adaptation also showcases a new political system coming into power and the extreme intellectual conflict experienced by technology and information.

Show-Score Member Reviews (23)

75%

Ambitious, Entertaining, Intelligent, Quirky, Resonant

See it if Reworked classics interest you. The always innovative Irondale applies Brechtian ideals to augmenting his play reflecting current issues.

Don't see it if you have difficulty following complex plots where actors play multiple rolls without changing costumes.

91%

Berthold Brecht. Also Awesome Staging.

See it if You like Berthold Brecht, and appreciate great contemporary staging.

Don't see it if You want to see a lavish Broadway musical.

85%

Ambitious, Clever, Entertaining, Great Acting, Intelligent

See it if You enjoy good acting and a creative approach to historical stories.

Don't see it if you are hard of hearing. The live music is so loud at times that despite the actors' strong projection their raised voices can't be heard.

100%

Absorbing, Clever, Funny, Great Acting

See it if You're interested in what was going on during the time the great astronomer lived

Don't see it if You cannot sit longer than 2hrs.

75%

Ambitious, Confusing, Intelligent, Slow, Thought-Provoking

See it if You like history and stories regarding science, astronomy and the church’s view on Galileo’s theories. At times confusing.

Don't see it if You like fast paced stories or dislike discussions regarding scientific theories or the influence of the church on early scientists.

57%

Ambitious, Disappointing, Great Acting, Indulgent

See it if if you think it's important to see theater that makes you think about the role of science in today's world.

Don't see it if you are not prepared to sit through over two hours of very slow develoment. Read more

78%

Ambitious, Intimate But Not Epic, Quartet Of Resourceful Actors, Stripped-Down Brecht

See it if you like your Brecht without bombast, cheekily adapted for a cast of 4; ably abetted by duo of live musicians

Don't see it if not interested Brecht; aren't up for leaning into a long evening (2 1/2 hours plus, 90 min first act) that--like much Brecht--has its lulls Read more

80%

Ambitious, Clever, Disappointing

See it if An ambitious and mostly successful staging of an ultimately disappointing script. Impressively natural use of many anachronisms on stage.

Don't see it if Brecht's plays are often a tad too straightforward and on message for my taste, and this one is one of those. There is a lot to enjoy here Read more

Critic Reviews (1)

"Irondale’s innovative and triumphant 'Galileo' is Bertolt Brecht at his most excellent, cradled by an ensemble of dynamic and invested performers and pitched inevitably toward its audience with a playful, conscious eye toward its own didactic mission...As much a top-notch production of the play as it is a contemplation on the playwright himself, staged like a troupe of actors trading spirited performances, mulling over Brecht’s text."
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Trailer

Creative team