On the Exhale — StageWrite Post

5 out of 5 Stars

Based on our rave reviews and urging, our visiting cousins attended this production. Below you will find a follow-up review by Sanford Goldstein after which is our original review.

Guest Review

We find our sense of quality aligning with Stagewrite blog's and on their recommendation decided to see On The Exhale after a matinee of Dear Evan Hansen. I agree that some, if not most, theater should be experienced in the most naive state possible. Aside from the knowledge of plot, even the awareness of another's reactions creates a scale or standard against which our inner observers tend to weigh our own, taking us out of the moment.

So I will say only that the hour flew past and that this play was a perfect and lasting antidote to the world presented to us as news on television. Why? Because it was a set of experiences, feelings we could feel, a story, a life that spoke so true, repudiating the hackneyed construct of a world proposed by others in our society to sustain their political or economic fictions. Words matter, especially when they are Martin Zimmerman's, given life by Marin Ireland. They matter because they create an actuality which affirms and does not deny life. And those words ask us: how can we possibly continue to take seriously the charade that passes for objective reality while ignoring our humanity, which is all that really counts when all is said and done.

Guest review by Sanford Goldstein The incomparable and irreproducible sharpness of Broadway productions keeps me returning to NYC from the other coast and those 2 1/2 hour nuggets continue to be among the most lasting and vivid of my encounters with performing art. Great theater reminds my soul to wake up and start dancing again. My alter ego is a mild-mannered retired physician who mostly reads either religion or science fiction, so I've already read about anything that is likely to occur tomorrow. Goldstein's first rule is "don't marry crazy." My first law of physics is "bad parties don't get better."

StageWrite Review:

For those readers who like to skim and therefore may never get past the “Read More” click in the review, you should know that we gave this show, On the Exhale, FIVE STARS. The only other show to achieve this rating since initiating this blog has been Hamilton. It is suggested you either read more or simply get tickets.

In my opinion, the less you know about what you are about to see the better. What I am comfortable stating this that this is a one person show, performed on a completely bare stage, with an absolute minimum of lighting and sound effects, and is over in less than an hour. Contained in this package is one of the most complete theatrical experiences that I have ever seen. This is in no small way a result of the extraordinary performance of Marin Ireland in association with this extremely well-crafted story written by Martín Zimmerman. This stripped down presentation will leave you wanting for nothing except perhaps a box of tissues. This is rare, must-see theater.

Ms. Ireland returns uptown from past performances in Blasted, reasons to be pretty, After Miss Julie, Marie Antoinette, and Ironbound (to name a few). Recently she appeared as the wife in the excellent film Hell or High Water (several Oscar nominations). Each production seems to showcase new aspects of her amazing skillset.

Of course, as the Playbill will inform you, there is the complete cast of director - Leigh Silverman, set design - Rachel Hauck, costume design - Emily Rebholz, lighting design - Jen Schriever, and sound design - Bart Basbender. In the most complimentary way possible I tell you that they will all disappear as this production unfolds. What you will be left with is a story and a performance that will keep you absolutely riveted while in your seat and mesmerized as you file out of the theater.

We were joined by our friends Steve and Karen.

Tickets are $25 and seating is general admission. In this small theater, there isn’t a bad seat in the house. This all leads to a simple point – do not miss this show (playing through April 2nd).

Aside – for now, avoid Ben Brantley’s New York Times review. He agrees with the above but in my very humble opinion gives away far too much detail (i.e. spoiler alert).

This video features Marin Ireland talking about the production. There are no spoilers in the video.

Why we went: Marin Ireland, one of our very favorite actors

JMG

Sidenotes: Brunch before the play seemed in order and we headed to Westville located on W. 18th between 7th and 8th. This is a terrific neighborhood restaurant with fresh, tasty food and a relaxed environment. We loved our eggs and avocado over crunchy potato pancakes, and crisp waffles with eggs and fruit. Great coffee too!