Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Tracy Letts ("August: Osage County") takes a brutally comedic look at Wheeler, a 50-year-old divorcee in the throes of a mid-life spiral in this production from Steppenwolf. More…
From the show:
Just out of his ex-wife’s garage and into a place of his own, Wheeler starts on a path toward self-discovery — navigating blind dates, old friends, and new love. Full of opinions, yet short on self-examination, Wheeler must reconcile the man he has become with the man he wants to be.
See it if This was a really well acted play. Much better than Nebraska. A funny play and moves for the most part quickly. Great ensemble cast.
Don't see it if Full nudity and explicit language. If you dont want politics in a play.
See it if Self-loathing man going through mid-life crisis feeds his ego & hurts people. His exaggerated damaged character makes for a lot of drama.
Don't see it if You can’t abide Dick Wheeler, a funny narcissistic misogynist who sucks people in. Maybe too contrived, but maybe not. Nude sex scenes.
Also I liked the ambiguous ending! Has he turned a new leaf, or....
See it if you seek a smart, authentic, provocative portrayal of mid life crises & damaged people trying to find their way, from the ever-astute Letts.
Don't see it if ur offended by frank discussions & depictions of sex, incl. nudity (tho it doesn't seem gratuitous); ur trying to avoid current politics.
Also Aside from a hackneyed gag toward the end of the show (wherein our pro... Read more Read less
See it if Lett's funny, astute & often bilious portrait of 'toxic masculinity' Superb ensemble led by a bravura Barford It's the writing that shines
Don't see it if Lett's tries awfully (no pun intended) hard to have us empathize w/Wheeler But the rationales albeit skillful fall flat & come off as hollow
See it if fan of Tracy Letts, for a great performance by Ian Banford, incisive portrait of a modern straight selfish uber-male out-of-touch with women
Don't see it if not interested in a sharp portrait of an alienating, frustrating obnoxious character or plays that go on a bit too long
See it if good writing that finds subtle humor in ordinary life situations pleases you.
Don't see it if watching losers follow their bad demons to inevitable conclusions depresses you.
See it if The first half is exquisite. Fun and smart, and an entertaining look at mid life crises. Great cast, great writing.
Don't see it if The second half falls apart a little. If you don't life full frontal nudity and raunchy sex scenes. You can't deal with toxic masculinity.
See it if you love Letts, VERY funny dramas, growth in characters, excellent acting.The dialogue is wonderful.Characters are well rounded.
Don't see it if full frontal nudity and very realistic sex acts are distracting.Play goes off the rails when it gets so graphic.Not necessary.Cringe worthy
See it if you enjoy a great human story well written and performed by a great ensemble cast
Don't see it if you are upset by language and nudity or do not enjoy thinking at the theater
See it if downward spiral of a damaged, self-destructive, middle-aged misanthrope told with incisive humor performed to perfection by a terrific cast
Don't see it if full frontal nudity, simulated sex scenes, toxic masculinity, & a few scenes that don't quite ring true would be deal-breakers.
Also Everyone in the cast had moments to shine, but it was Ian Barford, who... Read more Read less
See it if You like stories about romantic relationships. If you like stories about destiny and unique relationships.
Don't see it if If you sensitive about cheating or relationships which do not work. If you are in general not interested in stories snout relationships.
See it if story of a sexist male having a mid-life crisis who is funny in the beginning; interested in seeing a characters true colors come
Don't see it if don't want toxic masculinity, full nudity, graphic sex scenes, foul language; want likable characters
Also The sex scenes were a turning point although hints to his character ha... Read more Read less
See it if Toxic Masculinity: The Play appeals to you. This is definitely that.
Don't see it if the scathing humor can’t redeem the icky protagonist, a mediocre white guy who unrepentantly obliterates his every unearned privilege.
Also The cast is great, and the story is relevant and rings true, but it’s ... Read more Read less
See it if a fan of Tracey Letts who must see absolutely all of his work; unafraid of lots of cringe-worthy moments of sexuality and misogyny.
Don't see it if uncomfortable with: sexuality and nudity, misogyny, cynicism, cheating, negligent parenting, and/or curmudgeonly middle-aged white men.
Also In Linda Vista, white men are despicable, the surrounding women little... Read more Read less
See it if You want to see a great performance by Ian Barford. Good book by Tracy Letts.
Don't see it if you are looking for an laugh out loud comedy. It's a sad tale of a dysfunctional middle aged guy.
See it if Beautiful disaster of a 50 yo divorced man trying to see himself again. Funny scrooge jokes with references more for older audience.
Don't see it if Whiny, sarcastic older white men or full nudity (3 people) annoy you. Don't like characters that continue to dig their own graves.
Also Diversity: complex, strong, unapologetic Asian American female charact... Read more Read less
See it if You are a fan of Tracy Letts or someone in the cast, or want to sit in the most cramped seats on God's Green Earth.
Don't see it if Gratuitous foul language and sex are of interest to you, as opposed to solid dialogue and meaningful intimacy.
Also In all fairness, I left at the interval, and would have left after the... Read more Read less
See it if want to embrace a non likeable character. well acted by the whole ensemble and some good dialogue
Don't see it if one may not get behind the main character which can put one off on this play
See it if You are a fan of Letts & ready to laugh & sigh as you watch a 50 year old man & his self-destructive behavior in his escapades with women
Don't see it if On stage nudity is not ok with you
See it if you want to see an adult comedy about a guy in his mid ages going through a mid-life crisis.
Don't see it if don't want to see the worst case scenario of what middle age looks like. There are 2 very graphic sex scenes.
See it if you want an intelligent evening in the theatre. The cast is excellent as is the writing.
Don't see it if you want a light comedy
See it if You want snappy writing and exceptional acting all around (also a fun and clever set).
Don't see it if You want a play with a strong driving plot or a play without some very uncomfortable moments on stage.
See it if you'll enjoy a very funny look at relationships, especially the toxic ones and the bad choices we are capable of making.
Don't see it if you are a prude and can't condone nudity or foul language even though, in this case, they are germaine to the storyline.
Also Tracy Letts writes some seriously F'd up shit. Whether psychological b... Read more Read less
See it if You want to see if Tracy Letts can find a new way to consider white male mediocrity. He actually finds something new to say. Beautifully.
Don't see it if You just can’t handle another middle-aged schlub who may or may not be redeemable.
Also The cast here is fantastic, and Barford gives a bravura lead performan... Read more Read less