The Body of an American NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (69)
See it if You enjoy a play about the importance of the actions we take and the career paths that lead us those actions.
Don't see it if You don't like unconventionally produced theatre with a a sense of detachment of the characters one another and the material almost.
See it if You like to see 2 people shows.
Don't see it if You don't like topic of journalism.
See it if you are fascinated by war correspondents and how they re-assimilate. The content is ambitious, relevant, and powerful.
Don't see it if you want a comprehensible opening; it's purposely confusing. Being self-reflective (I'm Dan writing a play about Dan) is a cheat. Often slow
See it if you like to see the playwright insert himself into the subject matter and talk about his process.
Don't see it if you like plays that aren't indulgent. Here we get to follow a fellow talking about writing his play. Really?
See it if You care about current events
Don't see it if You don't care for realism
See it if Strong acting in minimal setting with powerful staging
Don't see it if You don't like minimal setting with expert staging.
See it if Intelligent, heartfelt, intense, well directed and well acted
Don't see it if Only like silly things
See it if you like to keep thinking what it is all about. i think i got it!
Don't see it if if you just want to be entertained.
Critic Reviews (16)
"Michael Cumpsty as Paul and Michael Crane as Dan are both impressive—and versatile, moving easily into the ancillary characters they are portraying while completely in tune with each other. They have created Paul and Dan with great heart and honesty, and both bring rich life and humor to an incredibly dense play. It was a joy to be there with them."
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"Under Bonney’s careful direction, the actors deliver authentic and honest performances that engage the audience and connect with the audience on deep levels raising rich questions about 'where war lives.'... 'The Body of an American' asks that profound question of each and every audience member...The set design, lighting design, and projection design all draw the viewer into the matrix of cerebral and psychological constructs that make 'The Body of an American' a play worth seeing. "
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"This is a two-man, multi-character...work with the ambience of a docudrama, although what’s documented is not so much Watson’s experiences...as the relationship between the two men and the sharing of their respective psychological anxieties...‘The Body of an American’ is as much a triumph of theatrical skill as it is of fine acting and creative dramaturgy. That it also questions the instincts that lead to war makes it even more important that the play be seen."
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"The 90-minute two-hander devotes so much of its energy to showy techniques like jumping back and forth in time and having both actors play other characters and sometimes exchange their main roles as well, that, despite director Jo Bonney's best efforts, the show ultimately failed to make me care about the connection between the men."
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"An interesting two-hander that explores the relationship between playwright/poet Dan O’Brien and war photographer Paul Watson…As someone who takes photos abroad, I found it fascinating to hear about what Paul Watson has witnessed first-hand. His real-life photos are projected onto the set at various points, illustrating his accounts perfectly. Glad to have caught this one."
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"The performances are virtuosic...The actors seem driven by unflinching commitment to telling this story with as much clarity and complexity as they can. Jo Bonney seems just the right person to establish a brisk pace and style that keeps this brainy, text-heavy script urgent and alive...Achingly current, this piece works best for an audience that is hooked on news and world affairs."
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"O’Brien does possess great instincts as a playwright which assure that the evening never becomes static...The play bounces around in time and location, but is always easy to follow… Director Jo Bonney and her two accomplished actors, Michael Cumpsty as Watson and Michael Crane as O’Brien manage to draw the audience in and sustain our interest…They each handle each impersonations with crafty aplomb."
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"A powerhouse of a drama…The two actors work and move together as intricately as two dancers in a pas de deux…Individually, they give well-rendered performances; together, they’re a tour-de-force…A bold play by an accomplished playwright, that asks difficult questions about the impacts experienced by serious journalists...'The Body of an American' will challenge audiences, and hopefully, like me, will leave the theatre with some fresh perspectives."
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