Girl From The North Country (Broadway)

See it if Singers were great. But lots of long, drawn out time spent on the depressing and not that interesting story.

Don't see it if if you want to see something upbeat, engaging with a lot of music. Bob Dylan's songs but not that many, too much talking!

See it if a fan of Bob Dylan, “slice-of-American-life” dramas with large casts and multiple story-lines, or Mare Winningham; you don’t need a plot.

Don't see it if you need massive drama, shock, & resolution; you dislike depressing and dreary, dark (physically and symbolically) plays; you dislike Dylan.

Also I saw Girl From the North Country off-Broadway; the stellar singing brought me back to it on Broadway. I’m a casual Bob Dylan fan: it’s unnecessary to know his music, but you should like rustic, Midwestern flavor to your art. In a larger theatre, the show loses the intimacy of The Public, where it felt like a wall of the rooming house had been removed and now we (audiences) were spying. There’s still a feeling of voyeurism into the private lives of strangers. It’s a semi-plotless story, narrated by the onetime Doctor, posthumously. Thus, a ghostly feel falls. Staging is dark, fittingly: it’s a 1934 America, post-Depression, and full of dead dreams. The retrogressive look is far from cheerful: racism, mental illness, affairs, disappointments, alcoholism, struggling artists, death, war, and lost-loves factor in. With so many characters, too, we don’t get to align well with any. The songs are unnecessary, but also about 90% of the strength of this semi-intoxicating, albeit flawed, show.... Read more Read less

See it if A treat to appreciate the music and understand Dylan's lyrics. This is a depressing story about the impact of the Depression.The talented

Don't see it if I enjoyed this musical more in the intimate space at the Public. The view in the 1st mezzanine row is partially blocked by the railing.

Also cast of stage vets all sing beautifully,especially Bayardelle and Winningham. Some of the cast also play drums.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see Dylan's music beautifully adapted and sung; you want to see some excellent performances from a great cast

Don't see it if you want a tight, well-written book; you have trouble following multiple story lines

Also This show could completely change the dynamic by reframing the narrator's dialogue. I just didn't know who to care about in all of the sprawling plot lines. And so many of the characters' stories were left hanging. While the music and performances were sublime, the book was frustrating and slow. Like I'm mad at how good this show could be...but very much isn't.... Read more Read less

See it if you love the music of Bob Dylan and want to hear super talented Broadway actors take on his incredible songs.

Don't see it if you loved the off-broadway production. Without the intimacy of the public it looses a lot of its charm. The story is super depressing.

See it if If you like to see how times were during the depression in an average American town. The singing was spectacular!!

Don't see it if You want to see an upbeat musical or don't want to hear about major problems facing all the characters in this show.

See it if You enjoy “plays with music,” quiet and slow shows that make you think and create a dominant mood, with great music.

Don't see it if You like musicals with songs that advance the story, or flashy shows that are upbeat with a lot of dancing.

See it if you want to see a deliberately paced play with some powerful moments that features several well-sung Bob Dylan songs.

Don't see it if you want to see a Broadway-caliber musical. This is a inconsistent play in which characters periodically sing Bob Dylan songs.

See it if You love Bob Dylan's music and want to see how a new story could incorporate Dylan's poetry & song into a show. Very minimalistic design.

Don't see it if You don't like Bob Dylan's music and want a more glitzy musical.

See it if you'd enjoy a depressing stage play set in 1934 & written specifically to feature Dylan retrospective from 1964 through 2012.

Don't see it if you expect a play, interesting plot, well developed characters or good drama. Or if you want Dylan songs done in Dylan's style.

Also Everyone in this cast has a great voice, but the reconfiguration of Dylan songs just does not suit his music.

And the play leaves a great deal to be desired. It's just a review, not a play. I just didn't care about any of the characters, who are caricatures, not filled out in a meaningful way.

This show left me altogether unhappy, not least due to the very costly ticket price.

[The ONLY great thing about this evening was my chance meeting at the "social" afterwards, with a fellow Show-Score reviewer whom I much admire. He & his friend had seen another show. We all had a terrific conversation. Wonderful.]... Read more Read less

See it if A small depression era play integrated with some of Bob Dylan’s lesser known songs, sounds appealing.

Don't see it if You’re looking for a big splashy musical.

Also This show definitely won’t be for everyone. But I found this moody, well staged, beautiful acted show to be very absorbing.... Read more Read less

See it if You like hearing Dylan reimagined. You like folksy stories. You want a good cry.

Don't see it if This is a pretty depressing show.

See it if Bob Dylan's music and a cast that works hard to tell a sad story albeit in a very slow manner.

Don't see it if Depressing shows are not your thing and juke box musicals

See it if An intelligent, well written book and not just trite connecting songs. Ambitious in scale and creates an exquisite mood. Vivid characters.

Don't see it if Rather dull overall. Almost too many characters in times of desperation. Hard to concentrating on the meaning of the songs if not familiar

See it if you like a beautiful, if depressing story of problems of everyday people in Depression era Minnesota set to Bob Dylan's beautiful music.

Don't see it if you don't like Dylan's music or only like happy musicals with songs especially written for it. Here a story is told integrating Dylan songs.

Also We were very surprised how well Dylan's (long written) music was integrated into this new, beautiful story. Yes, the problems many of the protagonists face are depressing. But the story is set in Duluth, MN, in 1934 and many people in Depression era America were facing huge problems! But it seams they really try to make the best of it, and that way the play is up-lifting. Stellar music and singing. Great staging, wonderful ensemble. Highest recommendations!... Read more Read less

See it if You're ready to embrace the melancholy of a boarding house during the Depression

Don't see it if You want traditional musical theatre.

Also It was sad, and not really a musical in the traditional sense, more of a play with (a lot) of music. I thought the performances were gorgeous, and obviously, the songs are incredible. I've been thinking about it since I saw it, and I feel sort of like I felt after seeing The Ferryman. That sort of melancholy ache for all of humanity's flaws and a small flame of hope that perhaps we might be okay if we press on.... Read more Read less

See it if You like the music of Bob Dylan and want to hear his songs sung beautifully. Interested in life in a Minnesota town during depression era

Don't see it if You want a clear plot. Want a more uplifting story. Need the songs to advance the story. Dont want more questions than answers.

Also I can't compliment the cast enough with how gorgeous they sung. But the book had many issues. No character development at all. There was no one to really connect to. So many plot holes. Acting was hit or miss except for the wonderful mare winningham... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see an odd, mesmerizing, meandering tale of American tragedy, despair, delight, madness, torment and haunting musical talent

Don't see it if you expect a musical tribute to Dylan. Songs are oddly rearranged, but moving and captivating. Takes a while to sink in. But I loved it!

See it if Love Bob Dylan music and don’t need a plot

Don't see it if Don’t like Bob Dylan and need a plot with closure. The show has several disjointed stories.

See it if You love Dylan-for beautiful singing by Bayardelle, Winningham, Sprawl, Ryan & Scott- group numbers/cast interaction lovely

Don't see it if Story is everything-this is about feeling of the songs, & pre-FDR era & large cast of characters- intricacies of story not entirely clear

See it if Like Bob Dylan songs

Don't see it if You do not like Dylan

Also More of a play with Music
Very Slow moving... Read more Read less

See it if you like interwoven stories all under one roof and a fan of Dylan. The music is moving and mystifying.

Don't see it if you’re easily confused or want to see a happy story play out. No big dance number in this one

See it if The singing was great with re-interpretations of classic Dylan songs & wonderful live band.Mare Winningham was excellent in this flawed play

Don't see it if The storyline/play itself was dull and uninteresting. I felt indifference towards the characters, and couldn't wait for a song to start. The

Also 2nd act is better play wise but too long or at least it felt that way. Subjects are brought but they go no where. e.g...themes of racism, possible rape, relationships..The music saved this overhyped play from being a disaster.... Read more Read less

See it if You don’t mind if your folk revival is punctuated by a mess of scenes with characters you don’t quite care about.

Don't see it if You’re looking for a jukebox musical. This is more of a play with songs presented as a foil / counterpoint / complement to the plot.

See it if This is not your regular Jukebox revue. Masterfully done with great casts. It’s a Play/Musical approach, very creative n totally enjoyable.

Don't see it if You are looking for either a straight play, or a Jukebox Musical.

Also Whether you are Bob Dylan fan or not, the story line are touching, created the background stories behind the songs and it enhanced the meaning of the musics.... Read more Read less