I just heard that a new play is opening at the Golden in late September for 16 weeks called The Encounter. Apparently it played in the West End, also a limited run, to rave reviews. I think that it completely sold out its run. From what I understand, it's a one person play that is told not only visually but primarily through the use of sound transmitted to the audience through headphones at each seat. It supposedly plays with your mind. Has anyone heard of it, or better yet, seen it? Here is Brantley's rave review:
Oh, I can tell you with a very high degree of certainty that it's true. I heard it from someone who has never given me inaccurate information. Opening night will be 9/29.
CZJ at opening night party for A Little Night Music, Dec 13, 2009.
gstrus2, thanks for posting the link. I'm not sure if I'll wait too long to get tickets, because from what I read, the entire London run sold out before the show even opened, though it was, I think, only an eight week run. This play wouldn't have interested me but for the incredible reviews it got in London, but it seems so unique that I don't want to miss it. For example, here's an excerpt from the Evening Standard:
"Distorting our view of time and space, The Encounter is a hypnotic, almost religious experience that warrants those two much-abused terms, “immersive” and “unmissable."
CZJ at opening night party for A Little Night Music, Dec 13, 2009.
Breathe, people. They are probably waiting for all the Tony press & hullabaloo to die down before announcing so it doesn't get lost in it all. Makes perfect sense to me.
I didn't get to see it in London but they did live stream a performance and it was fantastic. And really showed what sound design can do for a piece of theatre.
So I went on the West End board a few days ago and asked if anyone had seen it during its eight week London run. One reply to date: "It is incredible- don't miss it!"
It's why I think I'm gonna buy my tickets when they become available.
CZJ at opening night party for A Little Night Music, Dec 13, 2009.
It's an INSANE experience, like no other. You should definitely go. Simon is beyond impressive. It's very interesting, but it takes effort - it's all listening, nothing really to watch, so you have to actively be present. My mind wandered in the middle because of that, and because I'm more of a visual person, but still, it's unique and shouldn't be missed. I hope maybe that the headphones makes it harder for people to talk to each other! Might be the first good audience on Broadway in a while!
Just snagged my tickets via Telecharge. Was holding out for the possibility of the Sutton Foster Sweet Charity being open on my trip (late December), but The New Group told me via email that the show might not be open that long. I figure I'll have another opportunity to see Sutton, and in a more lavish production, so off to the Amazon I go! Very excited about this experimental piece...should be a great addition to my trip!
Keiichi2 said: "Picked up a fourth row Orchestra, Center Aisle for the matinee on Saturday, November 19th. Seats already seem to be selling really well.
"Just got ticket for same day! Elected a little further up for an aisle seat. I'm really intrigued with this one.
I just got my ticket for October 8th. I'm looking forward to a mind-blowing experience. Assuming the show will do well, it deserves a special Tony award for sound design.
bwahaha will see whose right when this thing closes at a huge loss because tourist are the actual idiots in this scenario.
Yeah, we'll see WHO'S right but based on the above I'm pretty sure I know who it's gonna be. But it's clear that this play will exceed your intellectual grasp, so don't buy a ticket. And just so you understand, this play will likely succeed without a single tourist buying a ticket. There are more than enough people in the NY Metro area to fill up this 16 week run all by themselves, which they will do, just as it sold out in London.
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CZJ at opening night party for A Little Night Music, Dec 13, 2009.