The Shape Of Something Squashed – Location, Tickets, Reviews
The Paradise Factory re-opens this month after a 2-year renovation with the world premiere of Tom Noonan’s new play The Shape Of Something Squashed. Noonan, performer, playwright, and director, wrote the play after he turned down the job to help Jennifer Lawrence practice her lines for the mega-hit The Hunger Games.
It tells the story of Douglas, an aspiring actor who stumbles upon an opportunity to fill in for a famous actor at the rehearsal of a new play. Although Douglas’s passion for acting impresses the playwright and his diva wife, enthusiasm alone is not enough to succeed in show business. Aged and fading, Douglas finds his life-long pursuit may be a total joke.
Maxamoo
The Shape of Something Squashed starts slowly but builds after the intermission to a satisfying conclusion. In the first act, the characters are moody for seemingly no reason. Douglas is likable but the others are not. When things gradually come together in the second half, it’s clear that Noonan’s observations about struggling to pursue difficult dreams apply beyond the theater and show business. The message is beautiful, tragic, and tough to hear, especially if you’re going through a rough time.
If you are a dreamer, prepare to be slapped in the face by ice-cold reality. Noonan takes us behind the scenes in the theater, where playwrights and actors are fragile and desperate. Mocking their pain, Noonan simultaneously demonstrates cruelty and compassion. The play puts a bitter smile on your face and leaves you all choked up.
Public Opinion
We thought some audience members left after intermission, but the press rep informed us they were locked out because they missed the cue. A friendly heads-up, The Paradise Factory takes “No late entrance” seriously.
Have you seen The Shape Of Something Squashed? What did you think? Comment below or tweet to us at @Maxamoo.
Critics’ Reviews
New York Times
The Man Onstage Who Wasn’t There
Stage and Cinema
Squashed Hopes Make For Brilliant Theater
Theater Pizzazz
Top of Act One, Again: The Shape of Something Squashed
TICKETS
$30 (click here for tickets)
DATES
Performances through March 16, 2014
LOCATION
The Paradise Factory
64 East 4th St.
New York City
[google-map-v3 width=”250″ height=”250″ zoom=”12″ maptype=”roadmap” mapalign=”left” directionhint=”false” language=”default” poweredby=”false” maptypecontrol=”true” pancontrol=”true” zoomcontrol=”true” scalecontrol=”true” streetviewcontrol=”true” scrollwheelcontrol=”false” draggable=”true” tiltfourtyfive=”false” addmarkermashupbubble=”false” addmarkermashupbubble=”false” addmarkerlist=”64 East 4th Street, New York{}1-default.png” bubbleautopan=”true” showbike=”false” showtraffic=”false” showpanoramio=”false”]
RUNNING TIME
2 hours, one intermission
CAST & CREW
(partial list)
Written and directed by Tom Noonan
Featuring Tom Noonan, Grant James Varjas, Monique Vukovic, Talia Lugacy
NEWS
Call me Adam!
Call Answered: The Shape Of Something Squashed Conference Call with Grant James Varjas and Monique Vukovic