raddersons said: "This show at Ars Nova just got a pretty good Times review. Curious to see what the bway world crowd thought of this one -- I'm going next week.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/15/theater/rags-parkland-review-ars-nova.html"
My boyfriend and I went last night. First show of our New York trip and we're about to head out again, so sorry if this is brief.
Some disclaimers: You do have to know what you're getting into - I could see people being disappointed if they were expecting a more conventional song and scene musical. Instead, Rags Parkland slowly sets the stage as you find out more about the world via the songs and the the chatter in between.
That being said, once the rest of the band shows up, it really took off. Stacey Sargeant in particular in fantastic. We were humming some of the songs on the way out. I suppose there isn't any way a show like this will get a cast recording?
Of the recent theater I've seen, Rags Parkland reminded me most of Ghost Quartet (small, intimate setting, actors playing their own instruments, non-conventional storyline). Add in a little bit of The Protomen, if anyone gets that reference.
As a science fiction fan, there's nothing that new in a show about androids fighting for rights. What does set it apart is the folk/rock music, and the humanity of the characters. This isn't a story about the Rebels trying to take down the Empire by blowing up the Death Star. Instead, this story is about musicians who risk everything to play a really good show and spread a message.
