TESTIMONIALS

Photo: Jenny Anderson

HEDDA GABLER & THE WINTER'S TALE

I may not be the first to notice that Bedlam is much much more than just a theater company!

– Stephen H.

Let me highly recommend this theatre group for your half-life in NYC. It’s the only one in the world about which I can say we have never seen a production of theirs that was less than perfect….A couple in London come close, The Bridge, The Almeida and The Donmar Warehouse but even they have had flaws. Not Bedlam.

– Craig M.

Thank you for your fantastic production of Hedda. I came on the opening preview night, which was riveting, and can’t imagine how it could have been better…

– Consuelo S.

Hedda is a triumphant interpretation focused on bodily autonomy, women’s health, clear language. The usual props (hats, pianos, flowers, letters) have been banished, forcing the actors to rely on language…. A playful (but ultimately sinister) surrealism teases at the edges, and forced me to think about the play’s implications and meanings for our modern world. …in your production, it’s clear that Hedda is the one who is caught. It starts right at the top of the play with the way the other characters talk about her before she enters.

– Johnny M.

We wanted to be sure to let you both know how much we both enjoyed the Bedlam take on Hedda.  Brilliant in every way and special Bedlam touch that stays true to the original and yet makes it feel contemporary.

– Al L.

I had the privilege of seeing Hedda Gabler last week, and I am still in awe of it. So grounded and hilarious and embodied and tragic. I am still thinking about it.

– Yonatan G.

What you all have created is distinctive and essential. I know doing this is a challenge with few parallels, but I and many believe in Bedlam and love it. 

Think about it: New York really doesn’t have a theatre company like this. No disrespect to others, but they don’t do what Bedlam does. Who else has the nads to do Gabler and Winter’s Tale in rep?  That’s a bear! Who else is doing Pay What You Can?

No matter where y’all from, Bedlam is quintessentially New York and your company should continue to dive into that.

– Chris B.

I saw Hedda last night and I thought it was so dope. I thought it was playful and irreverent and at the same time it honored the story and the characters profoundly. It hit me in a way I have not experienced before. It was such a visceral experience.  At times it made me very uncomfortable….Virtuosic in every way. There were so many beautiful and wrenching moments. Thank you for the is beautiful production.

– Chris T.

Thought the shows were really exceptional and was so grateful to get to see them…Loved getting on the ride! Very very moved…. Hedda really shattered me…It was deeply revelatory.

Gabra Z.

The storytelling has been distilled to its essence. This company really has its own stamp. Seeing Hedda reminded me why I want to be an actor in the first place.

Caroline R.

Yesterday was an incredible, nourishing day of theater for us. In Winter’s Tale you guys created such a great container for the tonal twists and turns of the play. It felt so thoughtful and polished, a great use of the wide-screen space transformed by light and sound….Hedda was an absolute triumph. Brutal, thrilling and hilarious. It’s by far my favorite production of that play I’ve seen (Ivo Van Hove’s had nothing on yours). The ending was devastating. I’m so proud to support this incredible company and can’t wait for whatever’s next.

David L.

Susannah Millonzi aimed her mind, feelings, voice and body in such a potent and transfixing and frightening way. Hedda didn’t appear to be using her powers for good, but it’s very fortunate that you are!

The production deftly cut out the distractions that strict adherence to realism and stage directions would usually have cluttered things up with. And Eric and the rest of the cast were all excellent satellites to your self-immolating star.

Richard G.

Persuasion

We have seen this “Persuasion” four times, and have already secured seats for at least two more times. The show is so joyful that it brings tears to our eyes every single time we see it, and when we reflect upon it afterwards.

–Anne A.

You make the best, deepest, most inventive and ENJOYABLE theater in New York. Your biggest fan.

–Angus V.

I recently attended Persuasion and thought the performance was wonderful. I wept during the final scene due to the joy and fun that the actors were having and also was moved to finally be able to see a live performance. Thank you for bringing so many hours of happiness to me and to the various friends whom I have introduced to Bedlam over the years….I wanted to let you know how often Bedlam performances have touched my heart and/or caused me to think about a topic differently. I wish you and the entire Bedlam organization well and am looking forward to the 2022 program!

–Mary Ann W.

Congratulations!!  Bedlam is back!  The house was sold out. The show was simply wonderful.  So much first-rate acting!… I’ve never articulated to myself the importance of playfulness in Eric’s vision of theatre…The way Eric can go from zany to serious and back again is completely original. And the choreography at the end was glorious. More broadly, I clarified something else for myself about Eric and Bedlam….Bedlam and Eric have a completely distinctive and consistent  theatrical voice…[E]ach Bedlam production is for me an education in theatre like none other.

–Steve R.

I saw Persuasion last night and loved it! You brought out all of the complexities of the piece with such poignancy and joy. Also, I thought [the] choreography was glorious…I’m so glad this was one of my first live theatrical events back since the pandemic- I was really moved. Not to mention, I laughed my ass off. “Charles Hayter”….Have a great closing weekend and congrats!

–Rachel B.

I just loved it.  Was so interesting to see some of Bedlam’s Signatures used in a proscenium-  the props, and the music. I think only Declan Donnellan uses music in place as affectively is this was. Bravo.

–David S.

Your company is superb in every way. We love the new directions (and risks) you take with each performance. And your cast, so representative of the 21st century, meshes every time. Congratulations!

–Dan & Barbara G.

[We] saw Persuasion on Wednesday night and loved it!  It was joyful, irreverent, ebullient and wonderfully funny!  The staging, the choreography, the set and costumes, and the casting were all excellent. Kudos on this terrific Terry Teachout review! One of my avid theater-going friends, who saw it on Monday night with her husband wrote that they “loved it — great interpretation of a timeless work!”

–Gabby P.

The play was so wonderful.  I loved everything from the set, to the costume, to the acting, to the dialogue, to the movement.  I just love what you all create and how your plays feel as an audience member.  It was absolutely thrilling to be reintroduced to that feeling.  Please congratulate your SUPERB actors, designers, and of course Eric for me.  I was absolutely delighted all evening, and so glad I was lucky enough to be in town

–Tim H.

Loved the show last night! It was, in typical Bedlam fashion, hilarious and heartwarming. It was truly thrilling to be in an audience again experiencing Bedlam’s particular magic alchemy.  I feel nourished.  I was also so happy to introduce my partner to your work. He had read the book in preparation and was eating the adaptation up, laughing into his mask.Can’t wait for whatever’s next!

–David L.

I immensely enjoyed the play itself — from its big-hearted romance, its distinctly “Bedlam”-y theatricality, and so many outstanding performances, the entire evening was a delight. The show’s final passage, culminating in that dance that I truly did not want to end, seemed to put onstage everything we were feeling in the audience: a renewed sense of belonging, of reconciliation and grace, and of hope for the future. In short, it is a performance suited to this very moment. Well done, and a sincere and heartfelt congratulations.

–Tom K.

We both loved the production!   It worked completely for my deeply discerning  house Austen-ite.…she felt the choices, acting, and staging all brought what she loves about Austen to sheer pleasurable life.   As for me, the family chimp when it comes to Austen, I was completely swept up…This production makes me applaud with even greater force my established gratitude and wonder at Eric and his collaborators’ abilities to take Austen’s writing and observations which mostly lose me in their archaic sensibility and syntactical mazes and make them compelling, vivid, and alive. Congratulations to all!

–Irwin A.

Just a quick note to say how much I loved “Persuasion”… Brilliant, witty, hysterically funny and sooo touching! Bravo, once, again! So happy to see your live productions again.

–Consuelo S.

We wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed the play.  It was inventive and clever, well acted, totally delightful….There is nothing like live theater and we appreciated having Bedlam be our first play of the season.

–Claire L.

I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed Persuasion. Not only was the play witty, charming and fun, but the seating was immensely comfortable. It was a wonderful first play to go to since the beginning of COVID. Looking forward to seeing many more Bedlam plays in the future. 

–Laurie G.

We discovered Bedlam because a friend shared her enthusiasm about PERSUASION in her Instagram story….I am so so impressed.  I thought the show was so WELL DONE! My 17 year old son loved it – we laughed out loud throughout. I am in AWE of your skilled interpretation of the novel And – yes- a lovely coming out party after COVID.  It’s been long and hard. 

–Heather H.

The Crucible

BEDLAM’s new production of Arthur Miller’s THE CRUCIBLE may be their best production yet! It was extraordinary….what I saw last night down at the Connelly Theater was ASTOUNDING. This lean and powerful production starts out slowly, like a steam engine chugging up a hill. Then all at once it grabs you and never lets go! It cuts to the core of the story, shining an intense light on the events of the Salem witch hunt trials, while bringing to mind sharp similarities with what we encounter in our country today. Not to be missed!!! Get your tickets asap!

–Gabby P.

The production was equal to and even above the high standards which we have come to expect from Bedlam.

–John G.

Eric Tucker is “one of a kind” and he and Bedlam repeatedly create exquisitely gorgeous theater that brings much joy to its audiences. Thank you!

–Laura L.

…I think you’re a fantastic company – just what the theatre needs and should be!…A friend and I had the immense privilege of seeing your current production of “The Crucible,” and it was stunning, breathtaking. I am telling everyone I know to see it. You have outdone yourselves! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

–Alice T.

actors on stage

…We left this production completely shell-shocked and on our hands/knees. You made us howl with laughter one year and weep hysterically the next…I’m already making plans to see “The Crucible” again.

–Dan H.

I was so glad to see what you all are up to, and I thought it was the best production of “The Crucible” I’ve seen. The critics were right.

–Susan W.

Eric Tucker’s brilliance as a Director was screaming at every turn, the collapse and rebuild of each set and the tableaus of light straight out of the great paintings of the 19th and 20th Centuries. I am so moved. And so touched.

–Wendy S.

Please tell the cast & director that I saw the show last night and was stunned by how good it was. I was too embarrassed to show it in the theater but when I hit the sidewalk, I wept.

–Hillary W.

We see dozens of shows a year on and off-broadway and in the Berkshires, and thought yours was among the very, very best we saw all year. Such a creative interpretation and uniformly fabulous cast.

–Scott B.

Show was fabulous. Kids loved it. We sure had a lot to talk about over dinner last night! My daughter is sitting next to me reading The Crucible as I write this. 

–Kathrin M.

What a glorious evening. It was a privilege to be part of the audience.…Bedlam is doing such important work and to sit next to people who came into New York from Washington, DC and New Hampshire is a testimony to all of you. Some people have seen it twice. People were weeping and holding their breath.

–Elaine W.

I’ve seen 3 Bedlam productions now. I’m just blown away every time. I can’t wait to see what you’re going to do next. You’re some of the most exciting theater I’ve ever seen.

–Rachel F.

Not sure I’ve ever written to thank a company for a play, but thanks for everyone this side of Arthur Miller (okay, and him, too) for the best Crucible I’ve seen

–Steve C.

UNCLE ROMEO VANYA JULIET

I saw “Uncle Romeo …” tonight, and am still recovering, more or less.
 I’ve been studying and translating Chekhov for more than 30 years, and am invariably frustrated by productions that just don’t get him, so you can imagine how I went into this one being slightly dubious.
 Imagine my astonishment, then, when this production blew my expectations out of the water with its humor, heart, and true pathos. I’ve seen the play countless times, and read it even more, and I teared up at the end because it so understood the material and Chekhov’s intentions, and conveyed them brilliantly. My deepest thanks and heartiest congratulations to everyone involved.


Thanks again,

Dave S.

Vanya is one of my all-time favorite plays and I was so happy to see the new colors your production brought out of it. I love the moments of connections between the women especially and thought the stillness of the final moments were really effective. . . You should be really proud of this play; it’s challenging, illuminating and rewarding. I can’t wait to see what’s next from Bedlam.

David L.

My wife and I were blown away by the play, and spent the four hour drive this morning discussing the world of the play, and how beautiful the acting was. I love what you all do so much I’m still a little speechless. . . When I see your plays, the belief that anyone can play any part as long as it’s good is a BEAUTIFUL idea. Using Shakespeare’s language to show the emotional inner life of the characters to show the audience how it FEELS is more important than anything going in the country right now. 
What you all do, being brave enough to show how it FEELS to be alive, means so much to me. It makes THEATER feel like the only space where we can have conversations about what it means to be alive and connect.

 Thank you,

Tim H.

A bearded actor sitting in a chair smiling with his eyes closed, while an actress stand behind him. Her arms are wrapped around him.

I want to say how moved I am that you continue to experiment, explore, and challenge your audiences to keep up with you. It might be easy to rework the formulas audiences are comfortable with, but you continue to give yourself and your audiences something better — the gift of something strangely, improbably and wonderfully new.
 We all agree there are riches in “Uncle Romeo” that neither Chekhov nor Shakespeare are likely to have foreseen. The overlay and undercurrent of the different characters upon and and around and within one another, makes the recognition of their respective truths all the more vivid and tragic.

Judy M. 

A fan of the creativity and willingness to take chances since seeing Twelfth Night. Thanks for the fun and the challenges. Always look forward to your productions.

George R.

Wow. We saw your show again last night…. It was so wonderful. It was the first time, too. Seeing it again was even better. You all are giving an amazing gift to anyone who’s ready to receive it…. Thank you so much for that.

Richard G.

We were both so thrilled to be able to see this wild (indeed), intriguing, and thought-provoking production… The whole cast, of course, was stellar.
 The seats were great, we enjoyed Kimberly Pau’s fresh translation of Chekhov’s masterful play, and the intersections with Romeo and Juliet which were especially moving in the second act. How wonderful to hear those familiar and beloved passages in such a newly interpreted way.
 We look forward to the next Bedlam wonderment!

Laura P.

It was a wild ride! I enjoyed it a lot… thought-provoking… moving… intense (yet, entertaining). There was no escaping the emotional intensity, which I liked.

E.J.B

…the fine work of Bedlam always teaches me, it’s about the work and the ensemble and ensemble at work.

Irwyn A.

Well, we simply LOVED the show. There is so much “there there” as the new current theater critics world would say. So many moments stood out for me… Juliet’s father’s speech was the best I have ever seen on stage and I don’t understand why it hasn’t been down with that level of conviction and fury in the past…or at least never in productions I have seen. It was riveting. The drunken humor and pathos of the Vanya couples were compelling. The pacing was fabulous… I was utterly engaged, entertained and fascinated the entire time. Bravo to you all!

Fiona G.

Your work makes us happy, which is a lot these days. . . who has ever (probably someone has) used Shakespeare as percussion. It’s Vanya in Jazz.

Ann S.

Pygmalion

The production is first rate and very clearly what Shaw intended. I got to see things in this play I had never seen in other more romantically inclined productions. I loved the fact that you cast Liza as an Indian from Delhi(and a very beautiful and gracious actress to boot)since she very much may have been from that class and ethnicity given the period in which Shaw wrote the piece.

Naomi G.

I had one of the best evenings I’ve ever had in the theater sitting there watching a group of phenomenally talented actors bringing Shaw to a stunned audience.

Rita F.

It’s a beautiful Pygmalion…The rolling and varying energies of all the scenes – from map cap doubling to hypnotic solo scenes, light to dark (literally), loud and quiet – it was like wave jumping in the ocean – you’re carried up and down and feel weightless and grounded at the same time.
And it was hilarious.

Lauren L.

Pygmalion” was just wonderful! We all enjoyed it so much. The staging was so inventive and made such great use of the space. The ensemble worked so beautifully together and each performance was inspired.

Caryl F.

[We] absolutely loved Pygmalion. I found it particularly interesting to see it after having the privilege of attending the rehearsal. Not only was the acting superb, but the costumes and staging were smart, creative and contributed to a totally delightful experience.

Claire L.

Pygmalion is terrific, it makes for an enlightening and greatly enjoyable evening. Hurry and get tickets! You’ll love the performances.

Pamela A.

I just saw Pygmalion. I had a really good time. Extremely well acted and directed. A lot of fun and lines that are eternal. “You certainly are a pretty pair of babies, playing with your live doll.” (Mrs. Higgins, Act 3) She is a precursor of the #MeToo movement! Eric Tucker is ★★★★★ plus the charm.

Anne L.

It was absolutely BRILLIANT!! We loved every minute….Please congratulate Eric on a truly excellent and nuanced performance and conception.

Mary Elizabeth B.

Sensational!  

–Philip O.

All eight of my family members just loved the play! The acting was fabulous, the costumes were great, it was totally wonderful. And very interesting to see the final product after seeing the table read.

Cynthia S.

It was really fabulous and I hope I”ll never miss any of [Bedlam’s] productions. I love the intimacy of the theatre-it’s a whole other experience. Superb acting and so funny.

Kathy C.

Love, loved your production of Sense and Sensibility and now Pygmalion. A worthwhile and wonderful theater experience all the way around!!! Thank you so much for bringing joy into life.

Susan T.

I’ve seen a couple of your productions and enjoyed them immensely. I thought “Pygmalion” was superb – the actors and the play itself. I’m disappointed i saw it the day before it closes so I can’t recommend it to others. I hope you will bring it back.

Alice S.

I was actually thinking to myself during the play how much heart actors put into the performance. The way Eliza’s tears came out so naturally, and the way Professor Higgins paused at the end of the play, realizing that Eliza won’t be coming back. That was so captivating! I just thought I’d share because that really impressed me.

Elena M.

Thank you for yesterday!!I will never forget one single moment. I will never stop talking about the fantastic actors and actresses. I was completely transformed and usurped into another magical world. I felt as though I was in the play. It was all so amazing.

Nancy S.

Wow!!!! This “Pygmalion” is brilliant in every way. I bet Shaw would have liked it! Thanks for presenting it

Eve M.

We thought “Pygmalion” was excellent!!

Simon T.

We loved “Pygmalion”. And Bedlam’s “Sense and Sensibility”. Would go to anything Bedlam theater does, so we were looking forward!

F. David N.

Peter Pan

Bedlam Theatre Peter Pan Scene: 5 actors with a spot light on them with the central woman standing on a mound (or someones back) while looking suprised

I’ve always loved Peter Pan and I actually know the text of the play really well (along with the novel, Peter & Wendy) so I could follow it all! I dug so much of what you were doing, the voiceover especially! There were a lot of highlights for me — the take on Tinkerbell, the first scene between Smee and Hook, the flying… I think what resonated most was how entitled and thoughtlessly cruel Peter was. I couldn’t help but see it through the lens of this #MeToo moment, revealing of male socialization.

David L.

Just wanted to say congratulations on the final week of Peter Pan — I was stunned by the show (literally didn’t speak a word to my friend on the subway home). I wish there was more theatre on 42nd street like what you guys are doing. Can’t wait to see Pygmalion.

Dan H.

I just adored Peter Pan – the marvelous, inspired, chaotic mess of it was exactly what I needed, and it was a such a thrill to be in the audience. I always feel like Bedlam trusts its audiences with so much more than most theatres – being welcomed into such a challenging production was a treat. There were so many moments where I delighted in being lost – and in knowing and trusting that I was in good hands and that you would see us safely home – and moments where that sense of dislocation and disorientation opened up strangely moving revelations for me.
Thank you so much for all the wonderful work that you and the company do – it was such a joy, as always, to be in your world.

Meg T.

Dead Dog Park

In an already crowded theatre world, why do I find Bedlam so stimulating? Extraordinary imagination, originality, and creativity; development of fresh talent; ability to evaluate the past with a contemporary perspective; emphasis on the spoken word; avoidance of distracting sets and costuming … The list itself could go on and on. Its easy to be supporters and to comfortably enjoy it all from the other side of the fourth wall.

Chuck S.

…We had a terrific evening and enjoyed the play very much – as you say it is not a joyous story, but it is extremely thought-provoking as well as a timely topic.  I really thought that the way it is left open-ended and ambiguous was just perfect as food for thought.  I would welcome the talkback session which is a good idea for those who wish to stay and share thoughts…. Powerful stuff, and hope you have a great run with it!

Deborah R.

…very happy to see DEAD DOG PARK this afternoon.  It had complexity, agony, politics and ambivalence and was played with simplicity and humanness…. the whole company was tops. Congratulations once again on what you made…”

Jeffrey H.

This is one of the most powerful, moving, well-conceived productions I have seen in a very long time. A thrilling night in the theatre, I was so struck by all the performances and writing, but especially the incredible story telling you created. It is exceptional. So powerful, in the most honest compelling way….There is so much collaborative artistry and ensemble on that stage. Such an amazing cast, creative team, and script that was brought to life in an exceptional way. This show will always stay with me, and I feel so lucky to have been in that audience.

Yael L.

Twelfth Night/ What You Will

This week my teenage daughter and I attended your performances of Twelfth Night and What You Will at Central Square Theater. We were completely captivated and impressed with your vision, handling of the text, and casting. We have seen plenty of “non-traditional casting,” but we have never seen a Shakespeare production (save for all-women productions) that respected women as much as yours. This showed in both the primary presence of the women actors as well as the character development. Beyond that, the way you dealt with gender overall was brilliant and so refreshing to see. My daughter, especially, hopes to see these kinds of casting decisions at least attempted and is generally disappointed. You not only made exciting choices, you and the actors executed them brilliantly.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your work. We will definitely be looking for Bedlam’s return to Boston, and hope to catch you in New York or elsewhere.

Milva M

I saw the Twelfth Night matinee this past Saturday & loved it!! What a fun, fantastic adventure that show is!! The whole ensemble is fantastic.

Katie C.

I was an audience member today at Twelfth Night, and I don’t know why but I feel compelled to write to you.  I felt like watching your play today, I knew all of you already.  It felt like an artistic home.   The aesthetic, the clarity of the story and just the pure fun of today’s show just honestly blew me away.  I was amazed at how successfully your company dissolved the barrier between actors and audience.  There was not an ounce of bull shit. 

Tim H.

I left both of your productions feeling lifted and deepened somehow – not just by the expert performances, direction, and design, but also by the culture of the experience, so to speak. I find myself quite sensitive to the theater’s “vibe,” how welcomed I feel, how the performers transform the space, how an ensemble can let us in on the joke instead of sharing a bunch of in-jokes. I felt, particularly yesterday, that I learned something about Bedlam, not just one of your productions.

Becky B.

Sense and Sensibility

Bedlam is brilliant in its full expression of what theater ought to be about — the thrilling connection with the audience, an experience particular to that place, in that time, with those assembled that becomes magic.

Kate W.

I’m writing to thank you for such an amazingly entertaining and moving evening. We really marveled all night at the energy and inventiveness of the production. I’ll admit to you that there is a teenager part of me who still considered Jane Austen as “the chick-lit that my sisters read”. But everything about the way the play began made the story immediate, vibrant, visceral, and accessible. As energetic and fun as things were though, their desperation was always present and I was in tears several times….

Irwyn A.

Staging with the rolling chairs is not only absolutely brilliant as an idea itself, but the execution with high velocity brings a whole original notion of a hockey rink in full tilt, but, with that much action as if the game were with multiple pucks.  Also really cool use of the distance between the actors, so synchronized with the lines of the plot that when the conversation is formal or stand-offish, chairs are far apart.  When intimate, its so close that the knees touch. Brilliant merge of what the dialogue propels with the same physically interpreted.  Staging as dance meets words!

Karin and Al L.

A resounding “Bravo,  Bravo” to you and the company for Sense and Sensibility.  For nearly 40 years now I’ve enjoyed NYC’s marvelous theatre options, and your current production is on my top five list of all I’ve seen by way of three theatre memberships and plenty of trips to TDF and Theatre Mania. I was so moved and delighted when I saw your play three weeks ago that I went on line the next day and bought four tickets for tomorrow night’s performance.  What a joyous experience my friends are in for (and I’m going with them).

Christina M.

Saint Joan/Hamlet

The McCarter, Princeton, NJ

An actor in a scene: a man kneeling over a chair in prayer

…you’re such a rare example of a company doing such sustained, passionate, inventive and luminous ensemble work it seems an important thing to support it along the way.  And then you also have a great name.  

Ken G.

…Susan and I did see Bedlam’s production of Saint Joan at McCarter and were absolutely blown away by it.  It’s been a while since we left the theater so exhilarated! We both can’t wait to see more of your thrilling, profoundly moving productions. Thank you and all at Bedlam for a spectacular experience!

Rich D.