The Life of Galileo

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.

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.

See it if You are interested in plays about people speaking truth to power

Don't see it if You dislike plays that sometimes veer into political polemics

Also The previous reviewer did not like the modernization of set and costumes but the two previous productions in England and Chicago did the same--I thought that it was part of the playwright's stage directions to show that the situation is just as relevant in the modern era. Sometimes I felt tired of having the same theme banged over my head again and again, although freedom of speech is an admittedly important issue, but that was the fault of the script and I understand typical of Brecht.
All the acting was great but the lead as Galileo was just amazing. I could not believe how he could keep up the energy to be so emotionally wired for two and a half hours.
The use of music was clever.
As far as the theater itself is concerned, the old sanctuary turned into a theater, I believe added to the atmosphere, like having The Nance playing in the oldest Broadway theater
I thought that it was a perfectly fine venue... Read more Read less

See it if Brecht's messages ring your bells, as do historical and thought-provoking theater. Four actors creditably carry at least 16 parts.

Don't see it if you can't plumb the messages of both Brecht and Galileo: is your thesis or hypothesis completely worthless? Question, read, teach and learn.

Also Brecht's message: assume nothing. Verify. Seek scientific proof.

Especially if you believe the opinionated mainstream press (e.g, today's Church).

Brecht here instructed us to follow Galileo, and quite literally, consider all points of view.

Galileo destroyed his eyes doing that, staring into the sun and heavens through a telescope (and later, copying books in wane light).

Thus he circumvented the Church, his era's thought police, and preserved facts and truth for posterity.

So, it's a shame the dramaturg wasted program notes on recent headlines, which prove zip.

Rock and ice bores tell us that climate change was a cyclical phenomenon since Earth was born (i.e. not recently man-made). Ice ages and warming, volcanic clouds and meteorites ravaged Earth and destroyed worlds and species before man existed.

Did man push the needle? Maybe.

But only considering all points of view can preserve our collective sight of history, science and facts---and prevent suicide by mob.... Read more Read less

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.

See it if you are a Brechtian who understands that fidelity to Brecht means probing his work for what it has to say to a contemporary audience.

Don't see it if you either don't like Brecht or only like Brecht as he was written.

Also I found Irondale’s production of Bertolt Brecht’s “THE LIFE OF GALILEO” both satisfying for its own sturdy virtues & a worthy, even faithful, use of the original material (in Mark Ravenhill’s svelte, 21st century rendition) in order to probe a still contemporary problem: What is science to do when it is in disagreement with an entrenched power structure that holds onto power by ignoring, even repressing science whenever science is inconvenient. Irondale, taking its cues from Brecht, comes up with some effective Brechtian framing devices for today, including office furniture, computers & a rock band that eschews all glamour to talk to us directly. But it never loses sight of telling the play’s basic tale since it’s in the simple, powerful clash of values at the heart of the episodic plot that the message lies. This production is the 1st of 3 Brechtian mountings that Irondale will undertake in order to help us understand our current situation better. I’m looking forward to parts 2 & 3.... Read more Read less

See it if You are interested in the intersection of politics and science.

Don't see it if You can't handle a long play that is sometimes odd.

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

Also if this doesn't bother you.

See it if You are interested in the implications of innovations, science and discovery for society and religion and if you like experimental theater

Don't see it if You don't like experimental staging of classical plays.

See it if a loose and spirited take on science history sounds appealing.

Don't see it if bohemian theater is going to make you feel antsy.

See it if Interested in progression of thought, science and truth telling via actual 1600s historical persona finally vindicated in the 20th century

Don't see it if Have no tolerance for many words and/or listening to them, expect not to have to participate/think not necessarily be entertained at theatre

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

Also A lively and intelligent mounting of Mark Ravenhill's streamlined translation of Brecht's 14-scene epic by the resourceful Irondale Ensemble. The parallels with our science-denying moment are unavoidable, though some of Galileo's impassioned defenses of scientific inquiry feel haranguing. Joey Collins is an indefatigable Galileo, ably supported by 3 other actors who contain multitudes. If this mitigates the implacable presence of Galileo's adversaries, it engages the audience in this chronicle of a truth-seeker's accommodation to political power.
There's no attempt at suggesting period costumes, which is refreshing (and witty at times, as red puffer jack stands in for a cardinal's robes). Two musicians on multiple instruments (composer Sam Harmet plus Erica Mancini) add punctuation and accompany some interpolated songs.
It's a bracing approach that helps bridge some of the less interesting portions of the script on the way to that compelling final scene.... Read more Read less

See it if A very well acted story good acting. Scientist vs religion and the conflicr was interesting to watch.

Don't see it if Very, very long. First act about hour and a half. If you want a lighter show, a comedy ect.

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.

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.

See it if you like historical and thought-provoking theater with professional actors pulling off at least multiple roles.

Don't see it if you don't like long plays that can get a little slow and occasionally go off in to the weeds

See it if You like to see an intelligent show about how scientific discoveries challenged the status quo.

Don't see it if You expect a well polished show or broadway fairytale

See it if a 20th century classic more relevant than ever. earnest well meaning production.

Don't see it if production values just don't make sense. questionable direction muted the very potent messages of the play.

Also Irondale reminds me of a community theater in the boonies. they remind me of the rude mechanicals in Midsummer Night's Dream. The fact that they are in the middle of New York City is so incongruous.
It is more important than ever to see this play now. Brecht used Galileo as a comment on the responsibility of science in the time of the development of atomic weapons. An intelligent program note makes the incredible relevance now in the face of climate change deniers.
But why oh why did the choose to modernize the play? Brecht chose to present this play in 1933 about events in 1633. Would they do a modern dress Crucible? I'm afraid they left their thinking caps home.... Read more Read less

See it if You’re really well versed in Galileo and the Renaissance and a great fan of Berhold Brecht

Don't see it if You’re looking for a fun evening

See it if You are familiar and enjoy Brecht's plays or want to see a modernized drama about life of Galileo

Don't see it if You want to see a musical, lavish production, dislike Brecht's work or have no interest at all about Galileo's controversies.

See it if you want another visit to an ambitious theater in a grand theater space; enjoy Brecht and contemporary takes on older work.

Don't see it if you have a weak bladder. The first act is 90 minutes. Worse, every scene has the same weight. The ensemble has the same take on each role.

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.

Also I enjoyed very much Irondale Ensemble's productions in the past (especially their wildly ambitious 1599 Project), but this one did not meet my expectations. While actors are tremendous and the material is timely, I found Jim Niesen's direction lacking one thing his protagonist seems to advocate - imagination. I wish there was a better staging concept for this piece: the program note from dramaturg Jake Seller justly draws parallels between dilemmas of Galileo's time and current crisis over the climate change - yet this laudable concept, for my money, did not materialize on stage. Still, the quartet of actors was quite impressive in their effort of bringing to life over 30 of Brecht's characters.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy wasting money and an evening.

Don't see it if you want to like what you watch and connect to likable characters.