‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ NYC Review: Hilarious Theater

If you are hunting for a genuinely laughter-inducing evening out, especially in the often-pricey landscape that exists inside NYC theater, well then “The Play That Goes Wrong” at New World Stages actually offers a superb antidote. More or less, you might discover yourself gasping for air between fits of giggles, so it is almost fair warning that you might need a minute to recover afterward.

What’s the Big Idea Behind “The Play That Goes Wrong?”

As a matter of fact, the basic idea, that you may or may not realize at first, is really quite straightforward. So, there’s this thing where you are going to watch an amateur dramatic society actually try to put on a 1920s murder mystery. So, the ‘Cornley Drama Society,’ clearly enthusiastic but certainly not very capable, are, pretty much attempting to stage “The Murder at Haversham Manor.” Clearly, it turns out, almost immediately, everything that absolutely can go wrong… does, really.

You will find, in that vein, that sets crumble, props are misplaced – more or less lost forever -, and the actors… oh, those actors actually struggle to remember lines and often miss their cues completely. To be honest, there is something like utter chaos right from the curtain rise, yet, oddly enough, it actually only intensifies as the play goes along. More or less, it’s like watching a train wreck happen right in front of your eyes, very clearly except this one is a ridiculously funny train wreck.

The Charm Is in the Details, is That Right?

The genius, in that specific case, comes from this absolutely sharp attention that is paid to every single little detail, as you will find. Anyway, the physical comedy actually is timed to what could be close to absolute perfection, yet you may feel there are moments of utter surprise too. Honestly, a door refusing to stay open, a mantlepiece collapsing, pretty much all those things, well then, are really just a springboard for increasingly outrageous bits. In a way, what is being presented could be thought of almost like slapstick on steroids.

What I mean to say is that the cast really throws themselves fully into everything, so it is almost creating characters that, if I had to describe them, might only barely hold themselves together through the insanity that is brewing around them. Honestly, the actors’ ability to really maintain the show’s energy and also, you could say, their commitment to the absolute absurdity, just gives you, like your money’s worth many times over.

New World Stages: A Fine Home for Mistakes

Pretty much “The Play That Goes Wrong” has definitely found, in my view, a really suitable home at New World Stages, as things turn out. Very much known for pretty much hosting off-Broadway productions, so what, the venue offers a thing that is both, you could say, an intimate but yet professional setting, or a balance. To be honest, the theater, which is fairly comfortable, allows the audience to really feel connected with the action, clearly which just heightens the feeling that they, the audience, are a part of all that unfolding mayhem too. Really, it all creates this sense of shared experience, clearly as everyone is caught up in, more or less, the sheer joy of the unfolding comedic catastrophe.

Who’s Going to Enjoy This Blunder-Fest?

Actually, this production honestly holds broad appeal. Basically, anyone who actually appreciates really well-done physical comedy is likely to really enjoy themselves, as things turn out. You might consider, pretty much, whether it would be an audience of, what, families looking actually for a night of light-hearted entertainment, to those, what, hardcore theater enthusiasts, well then, searching clearly for something completely different. “The Play That Goes Wrong” does actually offer what I feel is a really refreshing break from, sort of, the usual theatrical fare.

Families really should be aware, clearly though, so what with the show’s comedic style clearly relying, that could be considered, at times, sort of, heavily on pratfalls and, what, some innuendo, very though really mild, of course, very much parents that are considering bringing especially younger kids, what, so should really exercise what they feel to be their own judgment, like your judgement, even.

Tips For Enjoying “The Play That Goes Wrong”

My advice would be this. Simply arrive expecting the unexpected. Pretty much part of the fun really stems from what happens when you just sort of let go and actually allow yourself to, maybe, be surprised by absolutely anything that just might occur. So, do consider really booking your tickets in advance, because actually its popularity definitely results very often in that, what, sold-out shows tend to be, very more often than not, commonplace. Pretty much, prepare yourself simply to really laugh, very really laugh.

Final Verdict

You could say that if you’re searching for a way to, almost like, escape the everyday grind and pretty much immerse yourself into an experience that seems likely to actually leave you feeling, just maybe, refreshed and actually amused, this production just may very well do the trick. It’s definitely more than simply just a play; in that vein, it really is a celebration of the silly. It’s like it will have you chuckling well long, you may find, actually after the curtain goes right down.

• Expect the unexpected: Be prepared for anything and everything to go wrong, since that is honestly where the joy mostly comes from, it would seem.
• Book ahead: Very much due to its massive appeal, tickets usually sell very fast, so honestly plan accordingly is my thoughts.
• Bring your sense of humor: Be ready to truly laugh heartily, maybe more heartily then ever before in your life, too.