Thomas Paine in Violence NYC Reviews and Tickets

52%

(27 Reviews)

Positive

41%

Mixed

18%

Negative

41%

Members say

Confusing, Ambitious, Excruciating, Slow, Dizzying

About the Show

HERE Arts Center presents this electronic, psychedelic opera-sermon set in a cosmic radio station in the afterlife of the Thomas Paine, the Founding Father and international activist.

Member Reviews (27)

Entertaining, Dizzying, Confusing, Energetic, Edgy

See it if You enjoy performance art or shows that come at you loud and in your face. The performances are full of energy and interesting.

Don't see it if You expect to learn anything about Thomas Paine or experience any of his many profound quotes. This is more about interesting performance. Read more

Banal, Confusing, Excruciating, Slow, Disappointing

See it if You have a relative in the show

Don't see it if If you want a plot, writing or direction.

Ambitious, Well sung by committed cast, Top notch sound design, Irreverent, quirky experiemental opera

See it if you appreciate experimental/new music (musical language I've not encountered before); you like the great Joan La Babara; you're adventurous

Don't see it if you're not prepared to leave conventional notions of melody and meaning at the door; you dislike avant-garde structure, or irreverent wit Read more

Ambitious, Confusing, Great singing, Indulgent

See it if you like non-traditional music theater.

Don't see it if you want a linear plot or traditionally structured songs.

Confusing, Ambitious, Intense, Thought-provoking, Unnecessary

See it if You really like abstract interpretations of early American philosopher’s work, being confused, and avant-garde theater.

Don't see it if You like shows with coherent threads of plot, shows that serve a purpose beyond fulfilling the randomest of ideas, or that are entertaining. Read more

Great staging, Intense, Refreshing, Dizzying

See it if you are a fan of the avante garde and enjoy extremely non-traditional theatre

Don't see it if you are scared of anything non-traditional, don’t like being in total darkness or flashing lights, or prefer standard melodies Read more

Great acting, Great staging, Relevant, Excruciating, Slow

See it if You want to be mildly confused (in a good way) for 75 minutes, like absurdist theater, want a bizarre futuristic look at Thomas Paine

Don't see it if The term "synth-opera" sounds like torture to you (because it is indeed a synth-opera), if loud, disjointed sounds/lights bother you

Dizzying, Intense, Riveting, Thought-provoking

See it if You're looking for something that's going to take you outside of your theatrical comfort zone.

Don't see it if You're looking for a traditional opera/play, or if you need a linear narrative in order to enjoy a show. Read more

Critic Reviews (2)

"The incomparable La Barbara has a presence that’s both enigmatic and regal...Occasionally, I felt lost in a flood of information and sensory stimuli. Fortunately there are enough moments of substance that can pull one back from these distractions...It's a thoughtful piece that entertains before making a lasting, more serious impression...The piece will kindle your interest in Paine’s political theories."
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"It’s a haunting performance, one that causes us to lean in and demands attention be paid...Pinto and Burkhardt do right by never taking the material too seriously or talking down to their audience and there is an enormous amount of fun to be had...What starts out seeming like an amusing vocal exercise slowly becomes a heartbreaking and arresting modern translation of Paine’s revolutionary words."
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