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Faustine: A Dissertation. A Confession. A Mental Breakdown

 
Katie L Review by Katie L 4 Published: 4 Aug 2025 theSpace @ Surgeons' Hall Show Dates: 1 Aug 2025-9 Aug 2025

Faustine: A Dissertation, A Breakdown, A Confession, A Mental Breakdown reminds you that sometimes the most horrifying things are what people are capable of. Written, composed and performed by Lydia Brinkman and Sarah Norcross, the show drew me in immediately with an eerie atmosphere and music that made Hell feel very real – and I was going to be part of it for the next 50 minutes.

This musical’s strongest moments lie in its ability to leave your skin crawling

The story follows Faustine, who sells her soul to the Devil for the sake of her dissertation and a good grade. It’s equal parts smart and scary, as Faustine – and the musical itself – question how far she’ll go to get ahead. The answer? A lot.

Brinkman and Norcross also offer the possibility of seeing a different show each time. Faustine is already worth seeing once, but it might be worth seeing twice, as the two performers alternate playing the titular role in this one-woman show. I saw Norcross embody the wickedness that slowly takes over Faustine, with a creepy smile that sent shivers down my spine every time she looked at me – and in such a small space, she’ll be looking at everyone. Her transitions between Faustine and the other characters were clear and often deeply unsettling.

This show didn’t have me shaking in my boots every minute, but I was frequently shocked by its twists. The actual jump scares are limited, which benefits the tale rather than detracts from it. Be ready to question the morality of higher education, not to be jumped at in the dark.

The technical elements are strong and well used, with ominous red lighting and soft blue tones showing Faustine’s initial innocence. The one downside was the volume, which was quite loud at times – occasionally making words hard to make out or creating a discomfort that didn’t feel deliberate. Still, Faustine is a show I’d see again, though it’s worth letting audiences know what to expect.

This musical’s strongest moments lie in its ability to leave your skin crawling – knowing evil exists, and that it doesn’t always look the way you expect.

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The Blurb:

Faustine: A Dissertation. A Confession. A Mental Breakdown. Faustine is excited to share her dissertation with you, but all is not what it seems. She’s sold her soul to the devil in exchange for her brilliant thesis. Faustine lied, cheated and murdered to get here, and she won’t go back. This solo musical critique of academia, ambition and class (coming to you from a sold-out NYC run) is equal parts Xiu Xiu and Sondheim, Heathers and Hedda Gabler, pedestrian and academic, and hilarious and horrifying.