8 / 10
The audience can’t strap in for months of story, of course, but the fast pace of The Bengsons' tonal shift is a bit jarring in a show that otherwise holds the audience’s hands so gently. The realization that you cannot really protect yourself from grief by avoiding love or attachment is something that comes with months of therapy, not minutes of song.
9 / 10
The earnestness could be hokey or cloying—Night Side Songs, also playing Off-Broadway, traverses similar territory and fails to rise above the construct. Abigail Bengson’s ritual with two simple houseplants, bestowed upon audience members for safekeeping, shouldn’t work, and yet somehow does. But the ritual magic the couple creates onstage transcends all the woo-woo to become one of my favorite evenings of theater this year.
New York Theatre Workshop will present a one-week extension for the world premiere of My Joy is Heavy, created and performed by Obie Award-winning duo & NYTW Usual Suspects The Bengsons.
New York Theatre Workshop is presenting the world premiere of My Joy is Heavy, created and performed by Obie Award-winning duo & NYTW Usual Suspects The Bengsons, directed by Tony Award winner and NYTW Usual Suspect Rachel Chavkin. Read the reviews!
New York Theatre Workshop has announced dates and ticket information for the world premiere of My Joy is Heavy, created and performed by Obie Award-winning duo & NYTW Usual Suspects The Bengsons (Hundred Days, The Keep Going Songs), directed by Tony Award winner and NYTW Usual Suspect Rachel Chavkin (Hadestown; Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812).
| Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Orchestrations | The Bengsons & Or Matias |
| 2026 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Projection and Video Design | David Bengali |
| 2026 | Drama League Awards | OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL | Rachel Chavkin |
| 2026 | Drama League Awards | OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL | My Joy is Heavy |
| 2026 | The Lortels | Outstanding Lead Performer in a Musical | Abigail Bengson |
| 2026 | The Lortels | Outstanding Projection Design | David Bengali |
