Zen A.M. NYC Reviews and Tickets

70%

(16 Ratings)

Positive

81%

Mixed

Negative

13%

Members say

Great writing, Quirky, Thought-provoking, Great acting, Clever

About the Show

This new comedy looks at the conundrum of artists who must reconcile their patrons' demands with their own artistic integrity, and explores issues of class identification, compassion, cultural identity, and creative resistance.

In the 21st century, the patrons’ demands can come from both the left and right. The play is a story of laughable characters straining to act rationally when faced with difficult decisions of artistic integrity. The play is a light farce with the theme that Americans will never agree about anything because we have become too divided, but its deeper theme is the price of artistic integrity.

Show-Score Member Reviews (16)

Well staged, Resonant, Slow, Disappointing, Ambitious

See it if Block's attentive direction & a centering lead performance by Feyman help keep Meena's unwieldy dramedy on target despite looming cliches

Don't see it if Problems stem from Meena's inability to find a tonal balance around theme of artistic temperament vs surrounding piranhas Humor often flat

Clever, Entertaining, Profound, Resonant

See it if A good/ decent show with so e good acting. A story line that holds your interest. A nicely directed show.

Don't see it if If you do not like off off Broadway, or need a big production. This is a basic no frills.

Banal, Confusing, Excruciating, Indulgent, Disappointing

See it if you like listening to overacting actors yell rapid-fire at each other for most of the show.

Don't see it if like good comedic timing, want to understand what is going on and like to see nuanced acting and sensitive directing.

Disappointing

See it if You like to support new plays at off off Broadway theaters.

Don't see it if You want I finished product. This feels like it’s still finding its feet. Read more

Fluffy, Quirky, Entertaining, Funny, Disappointing

See it if you like stories about hapless artists and want to see a cast of hardworking performers giving it their all

Don't see it if you don’t like independent theater or small-scale farce Read more

Confusing, Fast moving

See it if you like parodies on the world of artists (painters).

Don't see it if you will be bothered by 15 -30 minutes of a smelly smoking torch with the smell filling the small theater. Read more

Profound, Must see, Clever, Funny, Absorbing

See it if You enjoy farce, sarcasm and great writing. Pokes fun at some of the things we have grown all too accustomed to, all while making you think.

Don't see it if You are unable to question norms and don't like farce.

Relevant, Quirky, Thought-provoking, Great staging, Great writing

See it if memories of 9/11 could make you turn away a commission that would make your career and change your life.

Don't see it if you want tired-businessman's entertainment, don't want dialog you have to listen to, can't stand a challenge, perhaps to your beliefs.

Critic Reviews (2)

“Director Andrew Block pits these forces of generally good humor and bad behavior against the truth of the value of art in public places. Will Chang and Rachel lose their investment in Bruno? Can Denise coax Bruno into a painting spurt with love or worse? Will Chang’s metaphysics raise Bruno’s energy level into art?...If you have any interest in art and society this comedic farce is well worth taking in. I will tell you this: the art is in the making.”
Read more

“Catch this funny, insightful play while you can — you’ll be glad you did...It’s the quintessential New York play in that it forces you to think and presents elements of comedy and tragedy...Zany and unpredictable, ‘Zen A.M.’ brings a fun, diverse cast of characters together under the auspices of greed, art, politics, and post-9/11 anxiety in downtown New York City, highlighting the political underbelly of the art world.”
Read more

Trailer

Creative team

Theater for the New City