Heresy

Comedy

Flea Theater

Until Sun Nov 4 2012

$$$

Photograph: Hunter Canning

Time Out rating:

Not yet rated

Be the first...

Time Out says

Fri Oct 12 2012

To call A.R. Gurney’s satirical take on the story of Jesus Christ a one-joke comedy is much too generous. (The fact that it was inspired by George W. Bush’s infamous post–September 11 “go shopping” speech gives a good indication of how stale the humor is.) When their offstage activist son, Chris, is arrested, headstrong lefty Mary (Annette O’Toole) and her moderate carpenter hubby, Joseph (Steve Mellor), ask their old pal Pontius Pilate (Reg E. Cathy), now a bigwig with Homeland Security, to help spring him from the clink. Soon, Pedro (Danny Rivera), Magdalena (Ariel Woodiwiss) and Pilate’s wife, Phyllis (Kathy Najimy, who seems to be playing a candidate for Bravo’s Real Housewives franchise), show up. (Karen Ziemba replaces the departing Najimy on Fri 19.) What follows is a laugh-free indictment of consumerism, religious zealotry, censorship and the bastardization of the American Dream.

It’s easy to sanction Heresy’s politics (mostly preached to the choir), but its punch lines are painful. The biblical parallels hit the audience over the head like stones, and the tone set by director Jim Simpson is deadly—so despite the actors’ hard (if stylistically disparate) work, they don’t have a prayer. Many horrendous things have already been done in the name of Jesus; just add this excruciating allegory to the list.—Raven Snook

Comments

Add +

Venue details

MAP

Name:
Flea Theater
Address:
Flea Theater 41 White St
Tribeca
New York

Cross Street:
between Broadway and Church St
Phone:
212-226-2407
Website:
theflea.org
Transport:
Subway: A, C, E, J, Z, N, Q, R, 6 to Canal St; 1 to Franklin St
Map
1. Flea Theater
  - 41 White St
    Tribeca
    New York
  - 212-226-2407
  - theflea.org
  - 40.718572,-74.004429

Event phone:
212-352-3101
Event website:
theflea.org

Categories:
Theater. Comedy
Good for:
Big name talent. Culture vultures. Dating. Date night. Local talent. Take your parents. Up-and-coming talent
Event type:
Plays & Shows

Date Time Price information
Sun Nov 4 2012

3:00pm

$45–$50, Saturday matinees $10, Tuesdays pay what you wish (at the door only)

Share your thoughts

Your rating
Name *
Email *
Comment *
* mandatory fields

Heresy

Time Out rating:

Not yet rated

Time Out says

Venue details

Map

Near Flea Theater

Bars and pubs

Restaurants and cafés

Shops

Also on at Flea Theater

Things To Do

Food & Drink

Arts & Culture

Film

Music & Nightlife

Shopping & Style

City Guide

Tickets & Offers

Site map

City links

Global links