Parched
Directed by Jessica Simon: Musical Direction by Jordyn Davis
HERE Arts Center | 145 6th Ave, New York, NY 10013
February 17, 2026 - February 21, 2026
Photo credit by Richard Termine
Parched is brought to the stage by the team that brought you Bill’s 44th – that alone should be a big enough motivator to get to HERE Arts ASAP!
Parched is a cinematic marvel without film.
The scene opens on a desolate, dusty terrain. A man and boy are dumped in this wasteland, about to be left for dead when one is shot, dropping their chances of survival to almost nothing as the pick-up truck drives off. But the truth is nothing survives this land – well, nothing you’ve ever seen before. Rolling hills will roll in a way you never imagined. Creatures weather the dusty trails in search of water - which is the most valuable element imaginable.
Parched will immerse you in its dryness. You will feel your skin tighten. And you will be struck by an overwhelming sense of wonder, and perhaps a tumbleweed. This feat in storytelling is a wonder for the senses. Not since Lawrence of Arabia has there been such a sandy, epic tale. Every grain of sand, tumbleweed fairy, magical mushroom, rawhide cowboy and bit of plastic we already know will outlive us all comes alive to make this arid landscape a place of wonder.
There is no element of this production that hasn’t been carefully crafted down to the goggles worn by the puppeteers. These skilled artists look every bit the post-apocalyptic remnants of humanity as they guide the characters through this tale. A live soundtrack takes the experience to a new level working beautifully to enhance the dramatic tension like a colorized silent film. The sounds of the pick-up truck speeding away will kick gravel up into your lap. And then there are the puppets themselves - each a marvel of creative genius - from our leathery protagonist who appears like a spec on the horizon and grows as he climbs hills and valleys into the foreground and the sentient mushroom who shares her most prized possession. You will delight in the spectacle of it all.
This level of artistry is rare even in New York City, though perhaps less rare for Puppetopia 2026 which is definitely a cut above. Opening Night for Ruby & Charlie and Parched was just extraordinary, The work is precise without feeling stale. Technique and innovation meld together to create work that is intriguing, fascinating and emotionally raw. The performances remind us that puppets are for more than worn out socks and children’s parables. It is an artform that’s vital and well worth experiencing in the flesh. Parched only runs through the end of the month- make sure not to miss out.
Click HERE for tickets.
Review by Nicole Jesson.
Published by Theatre Beyond Broadway on February 25th, 2026. All rights reserved.
