Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind
New York Neo-Futurists' ever-changing race-against-the-clock attempt to perform 30 plays in 60 minutes!
... Read moreWith its ever-changing “menu” of plays, 'Too Much Light…' is an attempt to perform 30 plays in 60 minutes. The audience is fully part of the act, deciding the order that these plays are performed. Each week, these plays shift as ensemble members add new plays to the existing body of work. Each night of performance, they create an unreproducible living newspaper of the comic and tragic, the political and personal, the visceral and experimental. Each short play is written by a performer, honed by the ensemble, and randomly montaged with twenty-nine other plays through high energy audience participation.
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- 1 hour
- Already closed
- The Kraine Theater (East Village)
Cast & Creatives (1)
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Reviews (98)
8 Critics' Reviews
"Some of the two-minutes plays are parodies, some are serious and some are just plain weird...If there is one thing that Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind proves, it's that experimental theater doesn't have to be alienating; it can be exciting, engaging and a ton of fun to watch. Stop by the theater any time and you'll be in for a new experience--the New York Neo-Futurists show no signs of slowing down anytime soon." Full Review
"No one is trying to impress. No one is trying to be funny. No one is trying to showcase themselves. It is organized chaos where thoughts and ideas are hurled at you in rapid succession. Like a drug, the show will leave you either breathless, numb, energized, inspired or a combination thereof." Full Review
"TMLMTBGB is the news feed of plays, a semi-random assortment of pithy content where you never have to sit long with the duds. But even more surprising than the dearth of bad apples is just how tasty the good ones are. The ensemble members have a deep understanding of both the form's limits as well as its possibilities, reaching heights of comedy and pathos in mere seconds." Full Review
"The line between gimmick and truth blurs quickly in this show, especially with performers so eager to provoke. The energy leaps swiftly and often between camp and art...I recommend that anyone interested in feeling simultaneously empowered and befuddled go see it." Full Review
"There are no fourth walls in this show; no costumes and no illusions. Adding to the authenticity, the plays are all written by the Neo-Futurists and include personal and touching moments with each of the performers...While there are hits and misses amongst the 30 or less sketches, there is quite literally something for everyone. And in today’s climate of waning attention spans, the Neo-Futurists’ 30 plays in 60 minutes is the perfect antidote." Full Review
"What ensues is a madcap melee of songs, monologues, playlets, and surreal scenes with a healthy dollop of blue paint and a cupcake of joy. And custard pie. On this day anyway...The cast’s energy and commitment are impressive and engaging, and the room visibly warms with each new vignette, culminating in this case in an ensemble piece that bonded the room." Full Review
"Funny, weird and experimental...This is thoughtful and dynamic stuff, and while you do find yourself laughing quite often, it’s generally not at anything that could be described as a joke. You probably won’t like every play in this show, but that’s the magic of it: if you enjoy 25 out of 30 plays, that’s still a pretty good ratio. If the widespread laughter and attentive behavior from the audience was anything to go by, then there were far more hits than misses." Full Review
"If you have a taste for the tawdry, the kinky, the sweet and the sublime…this show’s for you...The playlets are experimental in nature, and do not always hit their mark. When they do, you find yourself deep in quiet thought…for about a tenth of a second. Then the next one grabs hold of your mind, heart, or…other part...One of the best, and certainly one of the most unconventional, hours in the theatre you’ll spend this season." Full Review
90 Members' Reviews
See it if you want to see an eclectic performance with basically 0 rules. Lots of fun, as well as some more serious moments as well.
Don't see it if You're looking for a structured piece, or if messes upset you. It can get quite messy.
See it if You love late night improvisational, witty, edgy, raunchy entertainment!
Don't see it if You are easily offended or dislike staying up late.
See it if This is a must see for avid theatergoers at least once
Don't see it if You hate sketch comedy
See it if You want a different night out and like seeing improv shows.
Don't see it if You don't like to laugh.
See it if You like fast paced entertainment, audience participation, comedy, unique theater experiences.
Don't see it if You like a play with a plot, don't have a sense of humor, easily offended.
Also Really interesting show! A lot of fun!
See it if you like sketch comedy, avant garde theater, and randomness
Don't see it if you are easily offended and have a set of expectations when you go to the theater
See it if you have no idea what you feel like watching but you want to watch some live theatre, you enjoy surprises
Don't see it if you'd rather sit down and enjoy a show without participating, you want an early night out of the theatre
See it if You enjoy the Upright Citizens Brigade et al. A fast paced 10:30 PM show,varying weekly, with a 20s something crowd, Fun & intelligent.
Don't see it if The informality of a late night show would irk you. Some skits are better than others, but even a so so one will be over in a minute!
See it if You are open to an offbeat show that hits some high notes but sometimes misses
Don't see it if You like a straightforward narrative that is on a uniformly sophisticated level
See it if you have a short attention span and like sketch-style theatre.
Don't see it if you hate shows that have topical writing.
See it if you're looking for an original night out. The show is different each week and they love audience participation
Don't see it if you hate improv. Very hit & miss in sketches combine with a frantic pace to make a confusing time.
See it if you are interested in seeing many actors do many different scenes
Don't see it if that doesn't interest you
See it if you like the idea of being completely surprised by what you experience.
Don't see it if you want a more linear experience.
See it if You like whip-smart improv theater. It's a new show every time!
Don't see it if You like the same old, tired shows.
See it if You want to witness brilliant originality from a downtown company that keeps topping itself with every new production.
Don't see it if You lack any imagination, so instead of seeing something original choose see Jersey Boys for the third time- not that Jersey Boys is bad ;-)
See it if you enjoy stand-up or improv comedy, you like theater to be gritty, and you have a broad spectrum of humor that you appreciate.
Don't see it if you're not good at adjusting quickly to different types of humor, you want a polished performance, or you don't generally enjoy stand-up.
See it if you really enjoy experimental theater that does not take itself too seriously in an intimate setting
Don't see it if you are afraid to see creative endeavors fail or if you cannot laugh at yourself or be engaged in a small group theater setting
See it if Enjoy downtown theatre that is improvisational,unpredictable, edgy & possibly absurd.
Don't see it if traditional theatre or comedy. If your looking for something reliable or comfortable this is probably not the show for you,
See it if You are really drunk and just want to watch people do weird stuff while your intelligence and pocketbook are insulted
Don't see it if you don't want to pay money to watch someone dunk their arm in ice water and see how long they can keep it there.
See it if You are cool
Don't see it if You are not cool
See it if You want to see a fast paced, always moving show. This can be dizzying at times but so much fun.
Don't see it if You want one, structured show.
See it if it keeps varying redefines what is a play
Don't see it if you don't want great variety
See it if You enjoy improv and are willing to take a risk. I've seen the show a few times, and while the actors are good, it really is hit or miss.
Don't see it if You don't like improv or sketch comedy.
See it if you have a friend in the cast, have received free tickets and have nothing else to do
Don't see it if you prefer clever writing, a lack of pretense or wit