Children of a Lesser God

See it if No major reason to go. It's not horrible. Just mediocre.

Don't see it if The constant translation and acting by Jackson were out of the narration of a children's book. Really unnatural, devoid of passion and silly

Also The plot leaves so much to be desired. Impossible to understand where the main character's attraction came from. Off stage? Definitely not from the text.
I also found kind of offensive that Ridloff's character is painted to be a "difficult person" from beginning to end. Someone who is never redeemed not explained.... Read more Read less

See it if Still important, still poignant drama about disabilities both physical & emotional Yet good work by leads can't quite overcome clumsy script

Don't see it if Leon's direction fails to ignite action or balance drama's flaws Inert set hurts also Play feels more about gender issues than disability

See it if you are a fan of one of the actors & have to see anything that actor performs in.

Don't see it if you are looking for something smart, inspired, innovative or alive.

Also The script for “Children of a Lesser God” never rises above the generic, even though several characters are deaf & therefore uncommon presences in our theater. One generic act gets tedious pretty quickly, even when the action gets a little preposterous; two are insufferable. I can’t see why Roundabout thought this script deserved exhumation at this time. Could a sparkling production have breathed a little life into it? I can’t say. This particular staging feels pointless, with a set so general that we might be anywhere (& wishing we were anywhere else). The high point was a Stevie Wonder song played over the sound system before the lights went up. The acting by the female lead was probably very good & by the male lead maybe good. But the lackluster surroundings make it impossible to care. Our theater deserves many great plays (& productions) featuring characters whose abilities are different from the mainstream. This production of “Children of a Lesser God” does not come close.... Read more Read less

See it if Acting by the new female discovery Lauren Ridloff and Joshua Jackson were on target. .The play explored problems: see more

Don't see it if see more

Also Feelings and emotions re the use of sign language, the need for go-betweens, learning to speak and sign language are explored

I did not feel. tat the rest of the cast matched the original production. I feel that this production might be more effective in a smaller house.... Read more Read less

See it if you would like to explore the difficulty of communication from the mind of a professional working with hearing and speaking impaired people.

Don't see it if you are not willing to pay full attention to every word, most spoken by Jackson as he speaks for himself and others, sometimes monotone-like

See it if issue based theater excites you. Beautifully abstract staging allows the many points of view on deafness to be presented w/o distractions

Don't see it if you dislike educational theater. The whole plot is focused on a romantic couple divided by their understanding & experience of deafness.

See it if Speech teacher marries angry deaf maid, conflict results. Jackson translates for signing world, thus never leaves stage. Signing as artform.

Don't see it if Inexperienced deaf actor finds work on stage. Coupled w/ TV actors and static set make for frustrating evening. Jackson's monotone strecthes

See it if you want to see a revival of a play from the 70s that should be very dated, and yet, is still very relevant today.

Don't see it if confusing directing and a mediocre performance from the leading man would make it difficult for you to enjoy the thought-provoking script.

See it if Interesting & important topic. But play is so dated & clunky it just doesn’t work now. Set is sparse & but does not add to interest.

Don't see it if You want to see an entertaining show. This is slow & very dated, a strange story that is even stranger in these days of #metoo.

Also Actors were all good. Exciting to see so much signing on stage. But other than that play did not engage me. It did not seem at all believable.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a beautiful show that does a pretty good job of updating a classic.

Don't see it if Occasionally a little static despite great acting. It sometimes felt stilted. I did see it at the first preview, so I hope that changes.

See it if You need a lesson on the world of the deaf.

Don't see it if If you’ve already seen it once.

See it if you like to see revivals of shows you've heard about.2 leads are excellent.Show rambles, unclear in spots.Not always clear what the point is

Don't see it if you're looking for insight into the world of the deaf.Play isn't particularly coherent or thought provoking.The play sort of just sits there

See it if An important breakthrough play at one time. Deals sensitivity with the issues of the deaf community. Lauren Ridloff was electric.

Don't see it if Joshua Jackson, who I usually like, made the weird choice to read all his lines in a monotone. His character was kinda creepy.

See it if I really enjoyed this production of a dated play which becomes relevant to many self vs other struggles seeking a bridge.

Don't see it if You dont want to sit through 2:35 of talk. The first act is basically exposition whereas Act 2 is more character driven.

Also If one looks beyond the setting, this play actually has a universal theme of self vs other. Some of the issues presented in Act 1 have been resolved, but the deaf remain mostly insulated. They teach, play football, appear on Broadway but remain for the most part separate from the mainstream.
The second act is much more a personal exploration of a relationship in which the couple begins opposed and seeks to find a bridge.
The set was actually conducive to relating the story. With minimal props and constantly moving parts it could have been intrusive, instead it helped to move the action.
I hope this play is able to find an audience, there are many worse plays out there. I shall probably see it again.... Read more Read less

See it if a show dealing with the deaf and their education is of great interest to you. Great performances from several deaf actors.

Don't see it if quick paced dramas are what you prefer.

See it if you enjoy blasts from the past (i.e. The Heidi Chronicles) that don't hold up now. The path of this romance is more cringeworthy than cute.

Don't see it if Joshua Jackson yelling each line as an irritating, mansplaining character will grate. If this was the director's choice, it was a poor one.

Also Jackson was strong in Smart People, so this stilted performance is baffling. Ridloff is excellent, and the supporting cast is good, but there's little here to hold interest for the duration of this overlong play.... Read more Read less

See it if you're intrigued by plays exploring deaf culture. Lauren Ridloff is incredible, in a breakout performance.

Don't see it if // the play was written in the 70s and feels slightly dated but still seems incredibly relevant to today.

See it if seeking a sometimes old-fashioned-in-tone love story about language, communication, and the ways we come to understand ourselves and roles.

Don't see it if the repetition of lines, use of American Sign Language, rudimentary stage design, and mimed props sound off-putting; want a clear finale.

Also Albeit with some flat writing, Children of a Lesser God is a poignant tale not just about deafness or an affair between speech therapist James Leeds (Joshua Jackson) and his deaf student Sarah Norman (Lauren Ridloff) who refuses to read lips or speak. At core is a story about people’s misguided savior complex: why we do what we do, and whether we do them out of an honest desire to help others or to make ourselves feel good. The supporting cast aptly offers humor and a substory about the rights of the disabled. Jackson elevates James’ forgettable-on-the-page figure with easiness. The ASL is often balletic. While set design is forgettable, the sparring matches between James and Sarah are magic. The final moments, too, are heartfelt, brave, and brutal. Ridloff is spectacular—transfixing by the end. Ultimately, the show reminds us there is no greater image in which to be created—not God’s or man’s—than our own. Self-perception and dignity are everything—even if love may be deferred.... Read more Read less

See it if A well produced revival. The leads and ensemble are excellent. Interesting and effective minimal scenery. A memorable evening .

Don't see it if Do not see if you prefer musicals or light dramas.

See it if Excellent production. definitely should see.

Don't see it if If you prejudge a show in multiple languages just because you don't understand all of them.

See it if you have never seen this show. Lauren Ridloff does a good job with a great role. Not my favorite script.

Don't see it if you want to care. I was frustrated by the lack of empathy I had for the characters. Joshua Jackson signs well, but sounded stilted.

See it if like shows about the handicapped, dealing with difficulties adapting to life in our society, complicated love stories and fine acting.

Don't see it if dislike very repetitive episodes that explore the same insights and themes and sterile sets.

See it if Emotionally explains the struggles of the deaf living in a world made for people with hearing. Builds empathy for the disabled.

Don't see it if Dislike slow, quiet plays. Subtitles annoy you. Can't stand seeing people with disabilities. Pacey from Dawson's Creek is triggering.

Also Ticket from online rush for $37.50.

See it if you appreciate revivals of iconic well written theatre and explorations of divergent perspectives of disability, even if anachronistic.

Don't see it if you prefer modern contexts, prefer mudicsls and light themes, dislike watching biracial romance, or lack patience for signing and no action

See it if A great stage production with outstanding actors!

Don't see it if Not your play if you don’t like serious plays.