More Theater Monday: We Are Your Robots & Music City

We received complimentary tickets to Music City for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own. 

What: We Are Your Robots

Where: Polonsky Shakespeare Center

             262 Ashland Place

             Brooklyn, NY

Who: All ages

When: Through December 8, 2024

We Are Your Robots, a joint production of Theatre For a New Audience + Rattlestick Theater, is the latest show from Obie-winning playwright, Ethan Lipton and his band. It is not so much a story as a treatise on humans and robots as expounded upon by Lipton in the guise of a robot. In fact, the entire band takes on the persona of robots in this very unusual show. 

Although it may not seem that exciting from the description, it is quite unique and interesting. While it has some very real truths at its core, the message is not presented in a heavy-handed way. Lipton's wryly humorous delivery and amusing banter with the band keeps things from getting too dark or philosophical. Plus the songs while provocative are engaging and fun as well.

The set dominated by a giant but friendly-looking robot head adds to the generally lighthearted atmosphere. Plenty of other small to medium-sized robots permeate the space. There are even some located in the theater's lobby. They add a whole other layer to the proceedings and make it like a show and a fun game of finding the robots in one.

And that's our view. For more about We Are Your Robots or to purchase tickets, visit tfana.org/events/we-are-your-robots-2024-11-21-730-pm

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We received complimentary tickets to Music City for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own. 

What: Music City

Where: West End Theatre

             The Church of St. Paul & St. Andrew 

             263 W. 86th St.

             New York, NY

Who: Recommended for Ages 12 and Up

When: Now extended through February 2, 2025

From the moment you walk into the space, you are completely immersed in the world of the new musical, Music City. Not only is the space reconfigured in a completely unrecognizable way, but the action weaves on and off the stage and throughout the space in a way that really puts the audience smack in the middle.

This soul-stirring new show is unlike any previous production from the Bedlam theater group. The story revolves around a pair of brothers trying to make it in the world of country music. Accordingly, it is full of great twangy upbeat songs plus some beautiful ballads by JT Harding, a well-known composer of the genre. They were previously sung by a host of legendary country singers, but for those new to these songs, the beats are so catchy and fun that it's easy to get caught up in them. 

The story is a rollercoaster of emotions.  It has moments of sadness, humor, happiness, heartbreak, and so much more. Although there is a lot in it that will feel familiar, there is also enough unpredictability to keep it interesting and keep the audience invested in the story. The music is incorporated into the story so beautifully that not for one minute do you not believe that the songs are actually being written at this moment by these people. 

The entire cast sings, acts, and plays musical instruments, and they do it all with amazing skill. Some even play more than one instrument and/or take on more than one role, and they are equally accomplished at each. The music is so incredible that it would be fun to hear these performers jam even if there weren't a story. However, the story is so moving and the whole thing blends together in such a lovely way that you definitely won't want to miss the opportunity to see this show. 

And that's our view. For more about Music City or to purchase,  tickets visit bedlam.org/w-o/project-one-ephnc-5zgnn.

Tune in tomorrow for Tips for Tuesday.

Photo credits:

All We Are Your Robots production photos by HanJie Chow

All Music City production photos by Ashley Garrett

Images used in this post have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and/or  PR firms and are used by permission. If there is a problem with the rights to any image,  contact us here, and we will look into the matter.