Theater Thursday - Sad Boys in Harpy Land, School Pictures and Amusements

We were given complimentary tickets to Sad Boys in Harpy Land, School Pictures, and Amusements for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own. 

What: Sad Boys in Harpy Land

Where: Peter J. Sharp Theater at Playwrights Horizons

             416 W. 42nd St.

             New York, NY

Who: Recommended for Ages 17 and Up

When: Now extended through December 10, 2023

If you are a fan of performance art you may enjoy this completely bizarre one-woman show from the mind of Alexis Tartasky. You never know what to expect from one moment to the next in this crazy kaleidoscope of a show which at times some may find offensive. One thing is for sure, it is completely inappropriate for children. As for anyone else, if you want to see something completely unique and original and you are not afraid of a show that completely defies convention in ways that some may find disturbing, you may want to try this show.

What: School Pictures

Where: Peter J. Sharp Theater at Playwrights Horizons

             416 W. 42nd St.

             New York, NY

Who: Recommended for Ages 12 and Up

When: Now extended through December 10. 2023

School Pictures is Milo Cramer's depiction of the New York City School System as seen through the stories of a number of students he tutored to prepare them for the test required for entry to the most elite public schools. Each child's story is delivered in a poetic song. Cramer's lack of vocal talent is easily made up for by his charming delivery and the quality of his songs which vividly portray the essence of these students and their lives in just a few minutes. The show is equal parts a delightful theatrical romp and a horrifying treatise on the New York City school system and the pressures it causes parents to put on children at such a young age.

What: Amusements

Where: Peter J. Sharp Theater at Playwrights Horizons

             416 W. 42nd St.

             New York, NY

Who: Recommended for Ages 10 and Up

When: Through December 3, 2023

Amusements is the perfect name for this delightful show from the mind of Ikechukwi Ufomadu. This one-man comedic performance is extremely amusing. The show is pretty much an extended standup comedy routine, but it is so enjoyable that the approximately one-hour running time passes by in a breeze. Ufomadu shows that is possible to do a comedy routine that is neither vulgar nor inappropriate in any way and also manages to steer away from politics and any other hot-button issues and still deliver a performance that is exquisitely appealing and quite capable of capturing and holding an audience's attention. 

And that's our view. For more about these shows or to purchase tickets, visit www.playwrightshorizons.org.

Tune in Sunday for this week's Sunday Scoop.

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