Love’s Concordia Bar
Written by Edorado Tesio & Marjorie Murillo; Directed by Edoardo Tesio; Original Music by Olivia Altair
The Flea | 20 Thomas St, New York, NY 10007
April 16th to April 19th
A bunch of former and present NYU Drama / TISCH students have banded together to create Love’s Concordia Bar. For all the professional flair, the show feels very much like a fun student production replete with hoots and hollers from their friends in the audience. This is a production that promises much but ultimately delivers a performance that is sadly forgettable. While the concept holds potential—blending romance with the gritty underbelly of a local bar setting—the execution falls short of its ambitions, leaving the audience with a sense of "what could have been."
The plot revolves around a group of diverse characters who, over the course of one night in a small, dimly lit bar, explore themes of love, loss, and the complexity of human relationships. At first glance, the premise seems ripe for deep emotional exploration. However, the script often relies too heavily on predictable tropes and lacks the kind of emotional depth necessary to make the audience truly care about the characters.
What could have been a tightly wound exploration of human connection often feels like it's dragging. Several scenes, particularly the romantic exchanges between the lead characters, feel underdeveloped, leaving little impact on the viewer. These moments are often repetitive, relying on surface-level dialogue that doesn't dig into the emotional complexities of the characters.Performances vary greatly from polished, professional stage presence to amateurish awkwardness mumbling lines.
Love’s Concordia Bar is a clever concept, but gets mired in a self-indulgent style of showmanship. There is some very raw talent simmering beneath the surface, but it never reaches a boil. It’s just letting off steam without harnessing its power,
Click HERE for tickets.
Review by Nicole Jesson.
Published by Theatre Beyond Broadway on April 17th, 2025. All rights reserved