Troy Too Reviews

“A Greek Tragedy for Our Times: Troy Too is an ode to grief and loss. At the same time, the play presents people who continue to offer love and comfort to one another, who continue to protest inequities, and who persist in carrying on with their lives.” E.J. Bader, The Indypendent

“Powerful Troy Too Starring Dynamic Koniordou and Ensemble Cast Not to Be Missed: Koniordou leads a talented multiracial cast and brings a modern and ancient Hecuba to life in English and ancient Greek. This imaginatively staged and evocative play is not to be missed.” Eleni Sakellis, The National Herald

“As a growling and gurgling large, animated fish is how acting legend George Bartenieff makes a commanding posthumous stage appearance, via recorded voice over. Mr. Bartenieff died in 2022, at the age of 89. His arresting turn is contained in the entrancing performance piece, Troy Too which is dedicated to him. It is conceived by his widow, playwright Karen Malpede. Ms. Malpede’s insightful and theatrical treatment is a beguiling mixture of Euripides’ The Trojan Women, with her authentic sequences depicting contemporary discord…the magnificent Greek actor Lydia Koniordou as the soothsayer figure, Hecuba. Clad in a shawl, the august Ms. Koniordou supremely utilizes her melodious expressive voice during her pivotally recurring appearances. Director Avra Sidiropoulou places and moves the cast onstage with spatial and emotional impact while orchestrating the technical elements for a striking presentation.” Darryl Riley, TheaterScene.org

“A visceral, timely, and communal lament that cuts across languages and cultures bound together by the cyclical nature of tragedy”. https://broadwaydnablog.substack.com/p/review-troy-too

Audience Comments:

“I was entranced by Troy Too and saddened by the reminder of our lack of true commitment to survival. I thought about that twice today, as I knotted my plastic doggie doo bag. What a beautiful environment you created, with a wonderful cast and soulful direction. George's monolog as the fish was so true to form. Thank you for being you. A terrific ensemble.” Suki Weston 

Congrats! Terrifically done  Cynthia Cooper 

A standing ovation which was so very well deserved! Only sorry that the run was so short. Saw it last night (Friday) and am very glad I have tickets again for tomorrow (Sunday). It's an amazing, beautiful, and very deep work, and speaks very compellingly to the issues of our time. Charlotte Phillips, MD 

Beautiful show, from end to end!  Mark K. Simmons 

I took the subway to Soho today to see Karen Malpede’s multimedia play “Troy Too,” inspired by Euripides’ “The Trojan Women,” communal sorrow and rage in English and Greek. The multiracial, international cast starred Greece’s Lydia Koniordou as Hecuba, witness to cries of “I can’t breathe” repeated by BLM protesters, Covid sufferers, and a deep sea fish caught in plastic. Joyce and I and most of the audience stayed for the talkback. Closes 5/21. See it if you can! Pam McAllister

Brava Karen. What an important and beautiful piece. So felt the heart in the work. Thank you, Annie Piper

Thank you again for a very powerful show. Henty Degura-Pagan

If you have free time today at two, you should really go see my neighbor’s incredible multi layered play Troy Too.

Henry and I were lucky to watch it yesterday, and we’re still thinking about it. Amazing! Mariah Degura-Pagan

“I am so glad I came. By the end, I had tears in my eyes.” Christina Lee, M.D.

“Troy Too brings the finality of the destruction of Troy straight into our lives today—the racism, George Floyd’s murder, police brutality, families destroyed by gun violence, and environmental catastrophe. Our lives, too, the play insists, are immediately in danger. I brought 12 medical students to see the play. They were transfixed and united by the experience. One wrote that the play “was such an amazing way to see deeper into myself and my classmates and work together to tell different stories.” This play teaches future doctors about the meanings of loss and violence and death and prepares them to be the doctors their patients want them to be.” Rita Charon, Chair, Medical Humanities and Ethics, Columbia Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons                

Fantastic cast. Riveting..emotional...I loved the music! George's fish made me cry and laugh too. His talent will never leave us.” Rose Heredia 

It was magnificent. And the run was much too short. I hope you have a reopening for a longer run and I definitely want to come back and see it again. Bonny Finberg 

Wonderful show ! Congrats!  Joyce Maio 

Fantastic Produciton Morgan Jenness 

I attended last night's performance and loved it -- the writing, the acting, the intimacy of a small theater. To see an ancient classic adapted so nimbly to our present time was such a treat. John Tarlton 

It was powerful, and so glad I stayed for the talk back. Janet Morgan 

Go see this play!!!! Excellent work  Christen Clifford 

Not to be missed! France McGarry 

So glad I got to see it! Amazing work by all! Molly Purves 

Compelling new work by Karen Malpede with a stunning performance by Lydia Korniordou. Lynda Kennedy 

Loved the show. I loved the way you tied together the Covid, blm, climate change with a central threat of death, destruction. Contempory Greek tragedy. Lydia was out of this world. Lydia’s grief was visceral. Brava to you both! Devon Rufo

 I adored the show! It was wonderful. I think the script is brilliant and important and should be heard by many people. Terry Chistgau

Cannot say how much I enjoyed Troy Too. Fabulous, fabulous work. The blend of poetics, performance styles, focuses, time, topic....it was just a wonderful experience. Several points I almost cried. It is also very good to feel of a flock when so often I feel the exact opposite in the theater. I wondered if we would be able to do it for a festival event in the future...Would love to get a coffee sometime more and discuss the experience. Nate Smith, producer Sixth Fest