Meet the Cartozians at 2nd Stage

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 11/7/25 at 3:36pm

I saw this yesterday and thought it was really really great.  They're still pretty early in previews and David Cromer came out before the show to mention that intermission might be a tad bit longer than usual and that they were happy to take feedback, but it didn't end up seeming excessively long to me at all.  I'll admit his announcement made me a little nervous about the state the show was in but it was an extremely polished production, and while I'm sure some minor tweaks could be made here or there, nothing jumped out to me as being in previews for a brand new play.

The play deals with an Armenian family, with the first act in 1924 dealing with a determination for whether Armenians should be considered white, for citizenship purposes.  I didn't realize this was based on an actual trial that happened, and it was really interesting to learn about that moment in history, but it was also wonderful just seeing the family dynamic between the characters as they talked through their family history and experience in the US.  Act 2 explores the ramifications of that trial 100 years on in 2024 and what the Armenian community might look like today and how they see themselves in the broader scope of the world.

I'll admit when the second act first started, I was loath to leave the family and characters I had grown attached to in the first act, and it was a little hard to resituate myself, but a debate emerges and becomes kind of the new centerpiece of the play.  I think it also added a nice layer of considering how much of our public lives are performance and how others may think they understand certain things about you but can never truly know for sure.

Anyways, I saw that there wasn't a thread for this yet so I wanted to sing its praises, but curious what others thought!

[Menken Fan]

Posted: 11/7/25 at 4:56pm

Good to hear. I’m seeing this next week, mainly for Andrea Martin. Is there humor in the show?

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 11/7/25 at 5:00pm

There's some understated humor especially from Andrea Martin in the first act, but the second act gets funnier and lets loose a bit more.

[Cheesecake2]

Posted: 11/8/25 at 1:31pm

Oh I’m so happy to hear this.  I’ve got my tickets!!  

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/15/25 at 10:23pm

Saw this tonight and THOROUGHLY enjoyed it. The show has a hell of a lot to say and for a play dealing with such heavy subject matter at times, the Playwright has found a way to inject some fantastic comedy throughout. Absolutely a play I’ll want to see again before it ends. 

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 11/18/25 at 1:59am

The CARTOZIANS have entered the (Pulitzer) chat (salad included)
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Review-Roundup-MEET-THE-CARTOZIANS-Starring-Will-Brill-Andrea-Martin-and-More

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 11/18/25 at 2:38am

anyone have a discount code?

[Falsettolands]

Posted: 11/18/25 at 11:13am

Looking forward to seeing this one next week. Glad I snagged a ticket before the reviews came out. Very rare to see something get universal praise these days.

[yyys]

Posted: 11/18/25 at 11:38am

Any idea why some of the seats in the first two rows are restricted view?

[Menken Fan]

Posted: 11/18/25 at 11:51am

yyys said: "Any idea why some of the seats in the first two rows are restricted view?"

I sat in the second row center and didn’t have any sight restrictions. I don’t know why those side seats might be marked as restricted. Almost all the action takes place center stage. 

Updated On: 11/18/25 at 11:51 AM

[Diana Greenhouse]

Posted: 11/19/25 at 10:42am

Nyt critics pic!  Seeing it on Saturday 

[Melissa25]

Posted: 12/6/25 at 10:35pm

I loved everything about this play. It is very well written and the actors are all beyond excellent. There is a lot to digest but also very funny.  I wish this extended again so that I could revisit it. It was a very rich and rewarding experience today.  Cromer provides excellent direction. 90/100. I am now a Talene Monahon fan and will look for her future work.
 

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 12/6/25 at 10:45pm

Is it likely this might transfer to the Hayes next season? With the cast and it selling well and reviews and being on top ten lists?

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 12/7/25 at 12:35am

i was there tonight, and i enjoyed myself. its an impressive piece, that never really takes off but still operates at an engaging hum for a solid 2 hours. the transition from act 1 to act 2 was a pleasant surprise, and the acting was pretty strong across the board. Tamara Sevunts and Nael Nacer especially.

it gets meaty/thoughtful in act 2, with Andrea Martin springing to life to great effect--the first act is a period piece of serious drama set up, but instead of resolving it, the second act is more humorous and political. its an odd duck but i definitely didnt mind it. i really did not like the ending, though. it was such a try-hard for a Moment and i felt it fell flat. 

that sour note aside, this was a good time- mostly full theater, too, we were seated right near Nia Vardalos, which was funny given the Andrea Martin connection.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 12/7/25 at 10:37pm

Saw it this weekend and this is one of the best things I've seen all year. I honestly haven't heard too much word of mouth about it, and think it deserves a lot more chatter than it is getting. I found it to be so niche and specific but deeply universal all at once. The way Talene Monahan has taken this subject and used it to shine a huge light on so much of American culture was astounding to me. 

The entire cast is wonderful as well. Cannot recommend this one enough!!

[Fireplace]

Posted: 12/9/25 at 8:33pm

I just have not been feeling satire recently. I liked it in the Thanksgiving play because of the white girl pretending to be Native American, and the Katie finneran character as the woke white savior type, but here it seems to belittle real debate between people.  I’m talking in the second act of course 

[TheOtherOne2]

Posted: 12/13/25 at 12:52pm

I loved this.  How great to see an original, intelligent play that focuses on a culture we don't often see on NY stages, and which in its specificity manages to be universal.

Each act could be part of a different two-act play!  Somehow this bold approach succeeds.

It's closing this weekend, but I hope the play and this production get a Broadway run in the future.