AMERICAN PSYCHO is more than you may think

[Jose]

Posted: 5/29/16 at 12:14pm

If you are in NYC, or plan to be by 6/5, AND you have an affinity with musical theatre or share a concern about where America is heading, I urge you to see "American Psycho." It is truly the first modern, i.e., 21st Century, musical. Its genesis is the music video, not vaudeville nor the musicals of Broadway's Golden Age. It is a funny and searing indictment of a time and place (Manhattan, 1989) whose values have brought us to a point in time where Donald Trump appears headed to become the Republican candidate for President. It also contains two of the most brilliant, and sadly overlooked, performances of the season--Benjamin Walker and Heléne Yorke.

 

This is not a show for children as there is coarse language and simulated intercourse as well as simulated acts of violence. It is a show for adults who like musicals that are challenging and cause one to think. A musical like "American Psycho" comes along rarely. Eventually, it will be re-mounted and recognized, but the thrill of this original Broadway production should not be dismissed.

"American Psycho" closes June 5th.

 

#musicals #Broadway #AmericanPsycho

Updated On: 5/29/16 at 12:14 PM

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/29/16 at 12:20pm

It is a funny and searing indictment of a time and place (Manhattan, the 90s)...

 

AMERICAN PSYCHO takes place in the 1980s.  Late 1980s, to narrow it down a bit. 

 

[Jose]

Posted: 5/29/16 at 3:23pm

Actually, it is set in 1989.  Thank you for reminding me to update that.  

[6timesnyc]

Posted: 5/29/16 at 4:18pm

1000% Agree. I saw it in March. I still think about it often, and would see it again if I had the chance. Go while you can! 

[E. riley]

Posted: 5/30/16 at 2:30pm

Amen Jose!!! Stunning and not to be missed ( if possible) Travesty that it's closing.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 5/30/16 at 2:40pm

It is 100 percent a travesty that this is closing, this show is something truly unique and deserved to be seen for longer. 

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 5/30/16 at 5:41pm

LOVED LOVED LOVED this show. I will be in attendance for closing night. So sad that this did not get the life on Broadway that is deserved.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 5/30/16 at 6:03pm

I hope I never start feeling like my opinion on each widely-discussed show deserves its own thread. 

[MVintheheartland]

Posted: 5/30/16 at 6:27pm

I'm surprised that more people haven't figured out that a show that features brutal murders of young women may not be everyone's cup of tea. I personally find the concept of the show misogynistic, and decided not to see it on my latest trip to NYC.

 

Yes, it's supposed to be satire, and "dark", and a commentary on the late 80's, but frankly, I think the show, the movie, and the book are just sad. I'll spend my Broadway dollars on shows I can actually enjoy.

 

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 5/30/16 at 6:32pm

MVintheheartland said: "I'm surprised that more people haven't figured out that a show that features brutal murders of young women may not be everyone's cup of tea. I personally find the concept of the show misogynistic, and decided not to see it on my latest trip to NYC.

"

I think it's fine to not want to go near that subject matter, or especially to criticize how it is handled, but the story is in all forms as much about poisonous masculinity as it is about greed or surfaces. 

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 5/31/16 at 9:12am

Scarywarhol said: "I hope I never start feeling like my opinion on each widely-discussed show deserves its own thread. "

 

Seriously. It's a special kind of narcissism to make your own thread for your "review".

 

[newintown]

Posted: 5/31/16 at 9:28am

"It's a special kind of narcissism to make your own thread for your "review"."

It sorta goes with the personality type who thinks it's a "travesty" when others merely don't like a show that they do. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/31/16 at 11:16am

Or to realize this person is trying to get more followers to their blog.  (I think it shows up in the OPs "Dear Evan Hanson - NO" thread.)

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 5/31/16 at 11:29am

Who cares? He's doing more than just bitching on a message board. 

[undercoverusher]

Posted: 5/31/16 at 2:16pm

Maybe you should see it first before you shriek misogyny, which is not accurate, as Batemen kills men and women and hates himself

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 5/31/16 at 3:03pm

^ Doesn't "Maybe you should see it first" sound like good advice for YOU to take regarding FUN HOME, given your scary comment over on that thread?

[Jane2]

Posted: 5/31/16 at 3:07pm

"Maybe you should see it first before you shriek misogyny, which is not accurate, as Batemen kills men and women and hates himself"

 

Hates himself? Good reason to be misogynistic.

[aaaaaa15]

Posted: 5/31/16 at 3:11pm

Someone in a Tree2 said: "^ Doesn't "Maybe you should see it first" sound like good advice for YOU to take regarding FUN HOME, given your scary comment over on that thread?"

Right? How hypocritical can you get? Many, many people have called American Psycho misogynistic (the book more so than the show) but I've never heard of Fun Home being apologetic to pedophilia until today. 

[MVintheheartland]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 8:06am

undercoverusher said: "Maybe you should see it first before you shriek misogyny, which is not accurate, as Batemen kills men and women and hates himself

 

No, no,  THIS IS SHRIEKING. And believe me, I can see where some of the show is probably amazing. I have loved the clips I have seen of "Selling Out". But the culture in general sure seems to enjoy theater, movies, and TV about killing young women. How many serial killer shows does there have to be.

I wonder what the reaction of this board would be if a show was about the serial killing of gay men? Would those folks SHRIEK?

Still, I won't contribute my money to this production. God knows, I saw about 12 shows last year (and I don't live in NYC), but this is not on my list.

 

 

"

 

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 8:18am

Bateman does kill many gay men too. He is extremely homophobic. In the novel he brutal de-guts an old "faggot's" dog in front of him. 

 

The characters are extremely misogynistic and homophobic, but the show itself is not and that's an important distinction to make. The show isn't condoning misogyny and homophobia- anything but. We are meant to be horrified by, not in awe of it. 

[newintown]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 8:28am

"We are meant to be horrified by, not in awe of it."

I'm not sure that's entirely true; of course it's the lip service paid, but I've no doubt that (like over the top violence in all entertainment) the creators/presenters are well aware that a significant portion of the audience gets a kick and a thrill from the violence, particularly when it's perpetrated by a sexy, near-nude hunk.

[aaaaaa15]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 8:34am

I don't really have a problem with the show but the way that some of the murders of women in the book are described in sexual and pornographic terms is what disturbs me. 

Julie Klausner talked about the same thing in her recent podcast, she had to skip past those sections of the novel. She went to see the show 4 times but walked out twice due to panic attacks. She loves the show now but seeing violence against women like this is not something that every woman can watch easily.

Updated On: 6/1/16 at 08:34 AM

[Jane2]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 8:36am

"No, no,  THIS IS SHRIEKING. And believe me, I can see where some of the show is probably amazing. I have loved the clips I have seen of "Selling Out". But the culture in general sure seems to enjoy theater, movies, and TV about killing young women. How many serial killer shows does there have to be.

I wonder what the reaction of this board would be if a show was about the serial killing of gay men? Would those folks SHRIEK?

Still, I won't contribute my money to this production. God knows, I saw about 12 shows last year (and I don't live in NYC), but this is not on my list."

Some people need to understand that art is about everything and anything. The visual arts, writing, dancing, singing, theater, just every art - is not limited to nice, law-abiding topics. Creating art about taboo subjects does not automatically mean condoning them. It's educational, entertaining, shocking, ridiculous, etc. If you don't want to be subjected to looking at violence, don't go. But don't claim it's condoning or liking that violence.

[MVintheheartland]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 6:40pm

I will say that I am encouraged that my comments about not seeing "American Psycho" due to the violence toward women have been addressed pretty intelligently. Mostly. I figured I would be ripped a new one for disagreeing with the majority on this board. You all have given my renewed faith that we can have some interesting conversation here.

 

 

[Jose]

Posted: 6/2/16 at 6:59pm

It's not for everyone of course.  Still I'm glad to see many thoughtful opinions expressed, pro or con. I happen to like the show and I'm sorry that the nay-sayers, starting with the NYTimes and some other critics, appear to have short-circuited this stimulating evening of theatre. I plan to go again before it closes. There is some terrific work on display that deserves attention. Theatre is fleeting and I'm personally glad to have experienced it.