6 / 10
It doesn’t happen often, but every once in a while a play is not so much a play as it is an audition for a Netflix or HBO series. The TV company could be NBC or CBS if not for the fact that “The Reservoir,” which opened Tuesday at the Atlantic Theater Company, is about alcoholism and Alzheimer’s.
6 / 10
The Reservoir suffers from both its excessive jokiness and overfamiliarity, redeemed mainly by Shelley Butler’s clever staging and the performances of its ensemble. Galvin expertly handles both the comedic and tragic aspects of his character and Armbruster and Saldivar do fine work in numerous roles. But it’s the four old pros onstage who truly shine, with Aaron stealing the show as the sardonic Beverly who’s younger than her years. Unfortunately, those veteran performers are not playing characters so much as archetypes in a play that purports to deal with serious issues but never gets beneath the surface.
Atlantic Theater Company has announced an extension for the Off-Broadway debut of The Reservoir, written by Jake Brasch and directed by Shelley Butler. Plus, check out photos from opening night!
Critics are weighing in on The Reservoir, a play written by Jake Brasch and directed by Shelley Butler, starring Caroline Aaron, Heidi Armbruster, Noah Galvin, Peter Maloney, Mary Beth Peil, Matthew Saldívar, and Chip Zien.
You can now get a first look at The Reservoir, being presented in a co-production with Atlantic Theater Company, Ensemble Studio Theatre, and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Watch in this video!
You can now get a first look at production photos of The Reservoir, starring Noah Galvin and more, now playing Off-Broadway at Atlantic Theater Company.
Performances begin next month for the Off-Broadway debut of The Reservoir, written by Jake Brasch and directed by Shelley Butler. Watch in this video as the cast and creative team chats with BroadwayWorld about what the play is all about!
You can now get a first look at rehearsal photos for The Reservoir, being presented in a co-production with Atlantic Theater Company, starring Noah Galvin, Mary Beth Peil and more.
Performances begin next month for the Off-Broadway debut of The Reservoir, written by Jake Brasch and directed by Shelley Butler. The cast recently met the press ahead of their first performance in February. Check out photos here!
The cast has been revealed for the Off-Broadway debut of The Reservoir, written by Jake Brasch and directed by Shelley Butler.
| Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play | Caroline Aaron |
| 2026 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play | Noah Galvin |
| 2026 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Play | Caroline Aaron |
| 2026 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play | The Reservoir |
| 2026 | The Lortels | Outstanding Lead Performer in a Play | Noah Galvin |
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