A Soldier's Play (Broadway)

See it if the idea of an atmospheric look at the barracks life of a black unit in the WWII-era Armed Forces appeals to you.

Don't see it if you’re looking for a play that confronts the blatant institutionalized racism of the WWII-era US Armed Forces.

Also In 2020 “A SOLDIER'S PLAY” feels a little like a play that lost its nerve. The atmospherics in this production are strong. And the script at several points lays bare the blatant institutionalized racism of the WWII-era US Armed Forces. We experience how a black unit has to suffer the indignity of a white commanding officer & many other injustices, some life-threatening. But the plot concerns a not-too-compelling murder mystery. And while we get to know the 3 central characters, all played strongly here, most of the rest of the characters, though winningly played, remain semi-abstractions because we hardly get to know them. Leon’s production is handsome, lean, swift, tuneful & often dynamic. But I still haven’t figured out why the Roundabout thought it was a good choice to bring to B’way now.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see 40 year old Pulitzer winner that continues to be relevant and insightful, if a bit like a history lesson. Great production!

Don't see it if expect to be challenged by the insights into the history of inter- & intra-racism. A well-made "whodonit"- more entertaining than provoking

See it if If you are a fan of top notch acting and engrossing storytelling

Don't see it if Are bothered by the N word

See it if You like an intense traditional drama. Kind of like Mockingbird or other court room plays. You want to see great acting and direction.

Don't see it if You prefer a monologue, want to nap, are a racist.

See it if You enjoy great drama about racism in the Army during World War 2.

Don't see it if you’re looking for an evening of light, breezy musical entertainment

See it if .

Don't see it if .

See it if This Pulitzer-prize winning classic is finally on a Broadway stage! The fresh direction by Kenny Leon & cast make it well worth the wait!

Don't see it if You're offended by hearing and seeing real, raw, relevant issues in American & African American history being played right before your eyes.

See it if you'd like to see Bdway debut of 1982 Pultizer Pr winner. Gr staging w music/choreog. Solid ensemble;Blair U shines. Impt explor'n of racism

Don't see it if you want light entertainment. Mostly serious drama. Some sound sys issues (words lost). Structure slightly clunky (story told in flashbacks)

Also A Soldier's Play was a terrific night of serious theater. Very impressive during previews.

The story is set in the 1940s when the US Army was segregated. The focus is on intra-race racism, which seems dated. Societal racism (including structural racism) is the major issue.... Read more Read less

See it if Solid and very well done production with great performances. Story is a bit of a whodunnit which captures your attention nicely.

Don't see it if You aren't interested in stories regarding race or seeing a show with an all male cast.

See it if You want to see a stellar cast perform a Pulitzer Prize winning play. One that grabs you from the start and just keeps building to the end.

Don't see it if You want a lot of flashy stage craft or fast paced action. This is all about the story and it’s very well told.

Also A great ensemble of actors but the real star here is the writing!!!

See it if If you want to see a ww2 piece about race . A military play, well acted and well written.

Don't see it if If you do not like military plays or plays about race.

See it if u want to witness expert acting in a gripping military procedural that explores race, resentment & self-hatred in a WW2 segregated army camp

Don't see it if you want to avoid Kenny Leon's heavy-handed directing that occasionally confounds & distracts from the inherent power of Fuller's text.

Also *Great acting with one notable exception: Jerry O'Connell is just awful. He's completely out of his element here among such talented, intense performers. The only weak link in a strong ensemble.... Read more Read less

See it if landmark theater piece, underwood earnest, grier frightening, o'connell revealing, learn about African-Americans in military, impact of rank

Don't see it if not interested in military stories, murder mysteries, treatment of blacks in military, men in barracks, once revealing but now familiar plot

See it if you would like a great representation of segregation in the military in 1943 while immersed in the mystery of a murdered sergeant.

Don't see it if you do not like mysteries or do not care to understand racism of the past and how it continues to infect society today.

See it if shows dehumanizing racism vs black WWII soldiers; thru their work songs/choreo links racism 2 slavery; strong cast individuates each soldier

Don't see it if stodgy compared 2 today's imaginative race-based plays; flow of scenes formulaic; stereotypes abound but see below

Also Many of the characters in the play are stereotypes including the racially dismissive commander of the base, the viscerally racist white soldiers on the base and the exemplary Sidney Poitier-like black lawyer tasked w solving the murder. The portrayal of the sergeant who is murdered however is not routine. He is a self-made man who cannot abide weakness in his black subordinates, severely punishing black soldiers whose behavior he perceives reinforces white stereotypes about blacks (e.g., they are lazy, child-like). This graphically underlines how racism vs blacks can have the insidious effect of making certain blacks hate their own race.... Read more Read less

See it if Sweeping racism impedes crime solving and social justice on a military base. Ensemble with surprising dramatic turn by Grier. Nice pacing.

Don't see it if Depictions of intrinsic self-loathing ina community,runs risk of granting permission to other cultures to confirm that perceived invitation

Also Flashbacks: "A Soldier's Story" = "A Soldier's Play"

See it if You’d love a military murder mystery — along the lines of A Few Good Men — especially one that prominently features people of color.

Don't see it if You dislike plays about the military or courtroom-style dramas. This is unlikely to change your mind.

See it if Incredible acting. Well staged.

Don't see it if Very wordy play. Can get a bit boring.

See it if you enjoy a well acted and powerful drama about race and the military during WWII. There is a mystery involved but it also involves race.

Don't see it if you do not like stories involving the military or talk about race. Do not see if you are disturbed by racial slurs.

Also I was involved with this play from the very beginning. Gripping story with great characters. It keeps you riveted to your seat till the very end.... Read more Read less

See it if I can’t praise this play highly enough ! It is gripping from the first moment to the last. It’s a who dunnit and a why dunnit both ! See it

Don't see it if You have no interest in a drama that is set in the early years of WWIIor stories based on racial tension, otherwise see this !

Also This play could hand David Alan Grier a Tony for best actor ! It should also be considered for an ensemble cast award. Every one of the 12 actors was superb !... Read more Read less

See it if You like a murder mystery type play

Don't see it if You are expecting something new and fresh. This was good but a bit dated

Also Like most Broadway plays the acting, staging and set were all amazing. I don’t typically talk about direction a lot in my reviews but I do want to give props to the director. I thought they did a great job bringing out everything they could from a script that is a bit outdated
I really loved the picture they painted as the play was ending.
I was at the second preview and happy to see that all of the actors were very prepared... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a topnotch production of a riveting drama about the corrosiveness of racism as exemplified in the segregated army of WWII.

Don't see it if you don't like military drama or if you are squeamish about hearing racial epithets.

Also While the performances by David Alan Grier and Blair Underwood deserve special mention, the entire ensemble is excellent. Some of director Kenny Leon's stylistic touches work better than others.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see as very good players.

Don't see it if You don't like plays dealing with race.

See it if you've never seen Soldier's Play, want history lesson on discrimination in US armed services, or 2 C actors flexing their acting muscles

Don't see it if you've seen military plays before, don't care about the issues illuminated, prefer a happy show that shows everyone getting along

See it if Beautifully staged and acted drama of World War II segregated Army at LA base. As much about the bigotry of white officers and men....

Don't see it if ...as it is about the internalized racism of the black soldiers. Fine perfs by Underwood and Grier. Ensemble cast is terrific.