Music, Lyrics and Book by Marc Blitzstein
Choreography by Chase Brock
Directed by Sam Gold

Encores! Off-Center

“Keep in mind the send-up can and does rise to higher planes when Martin Moran as Yasha (think Heifetz) and Henry Stram as Dauber (think Picasso) court Mrs. Mister (Anika Noni Rose) for her patronage in the song nastily called “Art for Art’s Sake.” I don’t think I’ve ever heard either Moran or Stram sing, but they’re stalwarts as well, and as vaudeville hoofers (choreographed by Chase Brock) in the “Art for Art’s Sake” number, they’re show-stoppers. When the entire cast sings together, not only the cradle rocks. So does the room.”

– The Huffington Post

“In the perky duet “Art for Art’s Sake,” even a painter and a violinist (Henry Stram and Martin Moran) are shown to be craven pawns of their patron Mrs. Mister, sniping and snapping at each other to beg for scraps …. a show that is basically performed as a concert, with minimal musical staging (by Chase Brock) … the production mostly treats Blitzstein’s work honorably, both dramatically and musically …”

– The New York Times

“This semi-staged version, choreographed by Chase Brock, directed by Sam Gold and conducted by Chris Fenwick, had no need of sets to turn the work into a relevant and vital powerhouse in its swift 90-minute arc … Blitzstein would have been delighted.”

– The Arty Semite