Final Analysis – Location, Tickets, Reviews
Vienna was the cultural and intellectual center of the world at the dawn of the 20th century, it also gestated many seeds of evil that plagued this era. This is the premise behind Final Analysis, which depicts a series of encounters among prominent figures from the days before the first World War: composer Gustav Mahler and his wife Alma, Sigmund Freud, philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein, and a young Josef Stalin.
The group meets in cafes and on the street to discuss their passions, troubles, and notions of a world that is about to descend into the chaos of World War I. The conversations are of course imagined (although Mahler did consult with Freud about his tumultuous relationship with his wife). The thought-exercise is fascinating, and there are some moments of genuine insight, but the play is too simplistic to realize its full potential.
Final Analysis is showing in repertory with Breakfast with Mugabe at the Pershing Square Signature Center, both possessing the common theme of “power and psyche.” The former lacks the sophistication and detail that makes the latter so powerful. Even Ezra Barnes, who acts in both productions, does a significantly better job as a psychiatrist from Zimbabwe than as a famous composer from Vienna.
LOCATION
Pershing Square Signature Center
480 West 42nd Street
RUNNING TIME
1 hour 30 minutes, no intermission
TICKETS
$25-$95 (click here for tickets)
DATES
Performances through October 5
REVIEWS
Blogcritics
Eskin’s “what if” construct is a whimsical intellectual exercise made more interesting by his vivid use of dialogue…, well delivered by this talented ensemble of actors and Villar-Hauser’s forward direction.
Time Out
This Vienna doesn’t pulse with barely suppressed fury; it lulls itself gently to sleep.
CAST & CREW
Written by Otho Eskin
Directed byLudovica Villar Hauser
Featuring Ezra Barnes, Stephen Bradbury, Ryan Garbayo, Elizabeth Jasicki, Gannon McHale, Tony Naumovski, Michael Satow