Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind
About the show
New York Neo-Futurists' ever-changing race-against-the-clock attempt to perform 30 plays in 60 minutes! More…
With 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.
"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
"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
"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
"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
"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
"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
See it if You are cool
Don't see it if You are not cool
See it if you like comedy and light theater. A great night of fun!
Don't see it if you only like classic theater.
See it if you love feeling involved in what goes on onstage.
Don't see it if you're married to the fourth wall!
See it if You enjoy a show that will make you think. Audience participation is recommended. Unexpected outcomes. Ever-changing shows. FREE PIZZA!
Don't see it if You do not like political statements or plays that make you uncomfortable. This show can and WILL push you outside your comfort zone. A lot.
See it if You're into a fun, inclusive night and looking for some experimental theatre!
Don't see it if You're expecting a traditional musical.
See it if you want to be stimulated and challenged, if you have a weird sense of humor, or if you just want to see something different.
Don't see it if you don't like non-realist theater or the idea of 30 2-minute non-linear plays freaks you out.
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 you want to really be part of something that feels like its pushing the boundaries of theater ahead.
Don't see it if you're voting for Trump.
See it if you want something new and refreshing, you're tired of the same plots (because trust me all these plots are VERY different), and it's witty
Don't see it if you get uncomfortable with explicit content, want to just sit and watch a show instead of interact/participate
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 want to see something completely original. You want to laugh a lot, think a lot, and have more fun then you've ever had in a theatre.
Don't see it if You enjoy your traditional play structure.
See it if You love to laugh and enjoy not knowing quite what to expect at any given moment. Offbeat humor, existential questions, and ridiculousness.
Don't see it if You want a traditional piece of theater where the fourth wall is solidly in place. That wall comes crashing down fast here.
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 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 a mix of comedy and reality. You like small theatres and a young vibe. You want free pizza if the show is sold out (its a thing).
Don't see it if You prefer structured works. You are uncomfortable with audience participation. You prefer to stay in midtown.
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're willing to roll the dice on some occasionally brilliant, occasionally mundane, experimental theater.
Don't see it if You are bothered by nudity, profane language, or silliness. You avoid being challenged.
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 only have 60 minutes or is you have Attention Deficit Disorders
Don't see it if You need more than 2 minutes to understand a play or if you are not impressed by various forms of theater art.
See it if You have an open mind about what theater should be. You've seen a lot of improv and you want to know what lies beyond. You want to think.
Don't see it if You want a show with structure. You like stability. You are a traditionalist. You are afraid to get hit in the face with chopped onions.
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 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 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 a fast-paced, constantly changing, experimental show; you like spontaneous theater moments; you want something that's "out there".
Don't see it if you like traditional theater; you're under 15ish (the particular show I saw had nudity in it and lots of foul language).
Cast & Creatives (2)
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