Dimension Zero - Here Arts

Since last season I have been seeing more and more companies addressing the economic/political climate directly and Boxcutter continues this essential work and does it with wonderful campy humor.  Dimension Zero is a musical/puppetry/sci-fi romp centering on the toxicity of capitalism.  My understanding of the story (I do not have the script) is that an alien Zenda vows to help emancipate the low-paid labor of orphaned children working for a Mr. Walters, a billionaire.  Zenda winds up going to earth, specifically NYC (I was a little confused here) where she finds a host of economic problems, most notably that people can’t pay the rent.  I found the beginning of the piece a little slow, but it picks up after Zenda takes off on her spaceship flight.  Boxcutter includes influences from many genres, including silent movies, so they are not specifically focusing on puppetry.  The music was wonderfully humorous, referencing various periods such as 60s music.  The cast from Zenda to Ray the Engineer are committed to their parts, and while not professional singers, give the songs their all.  The All-Seeing Eye (dollar bill puppet) was especially hilarious with a Roz-like voice.  While the narrative was not complex, the story’s theme was wonderful (as they say, anti-capitalism).  Kudos to Boxcutter for keeping up the resistance!

Dimension Zero

Here Arts Center

Running time: 70 minutes

10/21/25 - 10/25/25

(off-off Broadway review)