Overview

“As we explore the mountains and the valleys of the brain we will reach the valley of astonishment.”

Imagine a world where every sound has a color. Where every color has a taste. Where the number 8 is a fat lady. This breathtaking new play explores the fascinating experiences of real people who see the world in a radically different light.

The Valley of Astonishment is a kaleidoscopic journey into the mysteries and wonders of the human brain, inspired by years of neurological research, true stories, and Farid Attar’s epic mystical poem “The Conference of the Birds.”

Peter Brook and Marie-Hélène Estienne return to TFANA after Fragments and their international hits The Suit and A Magic Flute, with a company featuring Kathryn Hunter (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Kafka’s Monkey), Marcello Magni (Fragments), and Jared McNeill (The Suit at BAM).

Recommended for ages 10 and up.
Running time: 80 minutes.

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Co-Producers: Theatre for a New Audience, New York; Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg.

Associated Co-Producers: Théâtre d’Arras / Tandem Arras-Douai; Théâtre du Gymnase, Marseille; Warwick Arts Center; Holland Festival, Amsterdam; Attiki Cultural Society, Athènes; Musikfest Bremen; Théâtre Forum Meyrin, Genève; C.I.R.T.; Young Vic Theatre, London.

This production is made possible, in part, by support from The National Endowment for the Arts.

Pictured above (left to right): Peter Brook, photo by Colm Hogan; and Marie-Hélène Estienne, photo by Álvaro García.

Access & Seating Info

Physical Access: There is level access into the lobby. An elevator provides access to all 3 levels of the theater.

Access Seating: Wheelchair labelled seats can be used for any access need, and the chair can be in place or removed. To arrange chair removal in advance or any other questions, please contact box office.

For this production, seating with no stairs includes: Orchestra center Row E, Orchestra sides Row A (200s+300s), and all Mezzanine and Balcony seats.

Mezzanine Row B seats are taller chairs (approximately bar stool height).

Hearing enhancement: Assistive Listening Devices can be collected from the lobby usher in front of the box office before the show.

Open Caption performance: Sunday, September 27th at 2pm. Choose any seating with ‘OC’ in the seating chart to best see the screen.

Box Office contact: email us at tickets@tfana.org or call 646-553-3880.