In Mara Nelson-Greenberg’s dazzling dark comedy, Sofia is hired as an empathy coach at a debt collection agency — and clearly, she has her work cut out for her. These employees can barely identify what an emotion is, much less practice deep, radical compassion for others. As they painstakingly stumble towards enlightenment, someone keeps mugging Eva in the kitchen, and the unspoken dynamics of their seemingly blithe workplace culture become increasingly unsettling. This absurdly funny and potent new play, directed by Margot Bordelon (EDDIE AND DAVE), reminds us that change is not always easy, and may come with unexpected costs.
Awards
Nominations
Off Broadway Alliance Award – Best New Play
“FLAT-OUT HILARIOUS! INGENIOUS AND INSPIRED.
Ms. Nelson-Greenberg has had the inspired notion of translating everyday sexism into the ostensibly nonsensical language of absurdism, as it was practiced by the likes of Eugene Ionesco, the young Edward Albee and, more recently, Christopher Durang.”
— Ben Brantley, The New York Times
“It’s funny, it’s mordant, and it keeps you on edge.
If Do You Feel Anger? were a person, it might be some wild-eyed combination of Kate McKinnon on Saturday Night Live and Ingrid Bergman in Gaslight. Director Margot Bordelon smartly keeps the play zinging along at a breathless pace. There’s a vertiginous feeling to the whole thing — we laugh, we feel ill, we’re rushed forward before our gorges can finish rising. It’s semi-feral and mischievous, a little warped and yet smart as hell.”
— Sara Holdren, New York Magazine
“’DO YOU FEEL ANGER?’ staggered me!
Exalted and devastating”
— Laura Collins-Hughes, The New York Times
“’DO YOU FEEL ANGER?’ is as disquieting as is it funny!
A rare throwback to classic absurdism.”
— Elisabeth Vincentelli, The New Yorker
“A provocative, wild comedy. It’s infectious.
Nelson-Greenberg is an offbeat, novel, wonderful voice making her New York debut.”
— Robert Hofler, The Wrap
“Audacious and Hilarious.”
— Raven Snook, Time Out
“Profound and validating.”
A brilliant play that expertly wrestles with the daily battles women are fighting to be heard and respected, and with how women can help hold each other up in a world that keeps trying to tear us down.”
— Rachel Abrams, Theater is Easy
“Hilarious! Bold, trenchant.
— Zachary Stewart, TheaterMania
“An apt, timely production strongly directed by Margot Bordelon.
Long, Chukwu, and Keller are hilarious in their inhumane approach to life. They offer deft, honestly clueless performances. Hill is brilliant – gently crafting a strong survivor. Nelson-Greenberg has a flair for uninhibited one-liners which brusquely challenge misogyny, communication and deception. The play is richly absurdist and a successfully astringent, stinging fun-house mirror.”
— Adam Cohen, TheaterPizzazz
“’DO YOU FEEL ANGER?’ DELIVERS THE LAUGHS, THEN PACKS A PUNCH!
It’s as meaningful as it is outrageous. A biting send up of work place dynamics.”
— Deb Miller, DC Metro Arts
“Terrific and purposefully scary. A fresh new voice in the theater.
If you’ve enjoyed seeing life refracted on the stage through the cleverly skewed absurdist lens of EUGENE IONESCO, CHRISTOPHER DURANG or DAVID IVES, you can now enthusiastically welcome MARA NELSON-GREENBERG to this wacky inner circle.”
— Simon Saltzman, Curtain Up
