Philosophy in the Boudoir

this show is fucking nuts. and i absolutely loved the story. i wish the presentation was less presentational and more honset, because this no rules masturbate in your face journey where the hero is the libertine and morals are all that's wrong could be even more intense and more wild. but in the end, it was nuts. ... full review

I was preparing for on stage hardcore porn, and if you do that, this show actually seems quite tame. This is a beautifully light production with very committed actors (not to mention flexible) who's only short-coming is a text that's a bit wordy. But it's Marquis de Sade, you can't mess with that. Yes, this play is edgy. Yes, this play has nudity. But yes, this play is totally worth it. Theatre is supposed to transport you - this is a show that most certainly does that. ... full review

I wasn't shocked by the 'brave' nudity that many reviewers have lauded. Truth be told, I was kind of bored. Because beyond the physicality of the piece - which was compelling to me only when no words were uttered - I was left cold. The core problem is de Sade's text, or perhaps this translation of it. I am led to understand that his work intended to illustrate the politics of class and sexuality. Unfortunately, I did not see much of that in this production, which seemed to play up the titillation and downplay the themes. ... full review

OK. This show is wildly uneven. Some of the acting is below average, a couple are fine. One (Raissa Eckmann Peniche) is wonderful. The actors are Brazilian and doing the play in English is obviously difficult for some, so I'm giving them some slack on performance. The show feels like it's trying to shock rather than trying to tell the story honestly. Some of the actors escape from the forced-shock-value nature of the show and deliver convincing performances, but that doesn't make up for the clunky writing. The nudity feels forced at times, but then again, in the setting of the show, I'd expect everybody to be naked all of the time. It just felt unnatural, and it's not because anybody was uncomfortable, no they're all very comfortable in thei... full review

The idea of sex as a revolutionary principle is interesting to me and what I believe the script was attempting to expose. Especially with the protests in Brazil right now, the idea that we can use our own actions to bring about larger change is extremely powerful and something we miss in this country. What rang true in the script was the idea of a woman brought into a world where she feels freedom for the first time, how that forces her to kill her family, and how that impacts her on the other end. We kill what we are supposed to love so that we can be free. However, I did not feel like this was executed in the acting style (although I commend the actors for their committment) nor the stylized direction that was taken. I would have like... full review

The only way to get away with a show with this much nudity and simulated sex is to do it extremely well: for the performances to have heart and vulnerability in the midst of the nakedness, for the direction to be tight, for the script to be provocative and stimulating beyond the obvious. Unfortunately, this just wasn't the case. I had fun watching the spectacle for a bit, but at the end of the day, I go to the theater to be nourished and challenged, or at least entertained, and unfortunately Boudoir didn't satisfy any of those needs. The acting is hit or miss. I don't care about the story. And though almost nothing is left up to the imagination, no one is TRULY naked up there. That said, it is WILD to see -- and some of the visual pi... full review

Wowza! I definitely had people in my group that literally got angry and repelled by this show, but I was pretty entertained and I suppose glad I saw it. Some definite problems with the script and flow/direction of the piece, but some really interesting and balls to the wall performances (literally). I commend the performers and producers for committing fully and not apologizing for any of it. But did many moments seem to be going for shock value rather than needing them to tell the story? Yes. Was there moments I was enjoying it because I couldn't believe they were doing it rather than being swept up by the world of the play? Yes. Obviously not for everyone but surely a spectacle to see if you're up for it. ... full review

Crass, yet boring. Philosophy in the Boudoir is like a limp dick straddling the fence between pornography and art. For my taste, it should either commit fully to one or the other and do it well than to lie lamely in the middle. ... full review

~Possible Sex Act and Political Spoilers Ahead~ I'm very glad I went out of my way to see this play, and on its closing night, when it must have been its most polished. Some say it was porn going for shock value- but this was not the case; as others would say, it was tame. Except for a few actions, this was a few degrees more docile than anything else I might see on a Saturday night- after all, I have been known to frequent clubs named after Sade himself. I forget that not everyone is used to seeing all sorts of bodies doing all sorts of things- to me, that is normal. And maybe that's one reason we need more performances out there like this one. To me, it is normal to be a "libertine", at least in regards to complete freedom with sex. Tha... full review

It would be hard to say anyone loved this play but it is easily one of the most unusual, most creative, most riveting piece of theater in this fringe. First, the nudity alone would not be so unusual if it were not so violent and daring in its nakedness. Nothing sexual is left to the imagination in Sade's story of the pleasure and pain and corruption in degrading another human being. The cast was frightening in its total commitment to this piece and there is one young male dancer, who's every move frames the growing abuse and lack of humanity displayed. I was also struck by the fact that for all the so-called liberality of that generation, it continues on to today and covers a basic boredom with life and with oneself. Bravo to the writ... full review