Slave Play (Broadway)

See it if While I didn’t connect personally, I did enjoy this complex and deep piece. Not for everyone, but raw, ambitious and a thinker. Great sound.

Don't see it if Sexual play about slavery makes you uncomfortable.

See it if want to see trendy play, see how one playwright depicts racial issues in unexpected way, learn what it means to want to be listened to

Don't see it if don't like depictions of sex & nudity, sex games that may involve domination or abuse, don't like humorous psychobabble, inner reflection

See it if seeing a high concept experimental piece expanded from a great small production to a mechanized Broadway show seems interesting.

Don't see it if you require clarity with your dramatics. Some of the ideas come across very well and some do not.

See it if You want to see a play that deals with couples counseling between interracial couples

Don't see it if You will be bothered with eight repulsive and unlikable characters

Also I’ve scored over 400 plays on show score. I take this very seriously and I very rarely hand out scores above a 90 or below at 10. This is the fifth play I am giving a zero to and I will say it is the worst play I’ve ever seen in my entire life. In my band I created a character on stage that encourages the audience to love everyone and be nice to everyone. This play was absolutely over-the-top and just disgusting. It made me hate every kind of person in the world. If that was the intention of the playwright then I guess they did their job. In the program they warn you that some of the material may be offensive. Why are they telling you this? Can’t we decide as an audience? It would be like going to see a comedy and the program telling you that you’re supposed to laugh at this play. Don’t tell me how to feel, I will figure it out on my own. Why are these couples in therapy? Why don’t they just break up and find someone better?... Read more Read less

See it if you believe that the races can never get past the effects of slavery.Bottom line is that blacks&whites can't relate fully without racism.

Don't see it if are tired of gratuitous nudity.What really upset me was that I believe that we should work toward being color blind.Play says its impossible

See it if you want to learn what all the hype is about regarding this surprising, unpredictable, and sometimes weirdly-alluring play.

Don't see it if uncomfortable with (homo)sexuality, nudity; themes of racism, slavery. If expecting a 19th-century pre-Civil War drama, look elsewhere.

Also Though provocative and engaging, Slave Play still left me cold. The excessive racialization of sexuality is too simple, even confused in its distillation. Yet, offers a meditation on power, dominance, and submission. Gender, sexuality, and race are highlighted through tense interactions among 8 figures. A mirrored stage reminds us we can’t hide from others or ourselves, just as the play solidly reflects that our past is much different than our present (unfortunately). Slave Play is at its best when characters offer personal reflections about being heard, seen, and dignified. Human Dignity is the main thread: how it is easily taken away and (maybe) easily restored. This is not an easy play. And it will leave you reeling. It is, undoubtedly, polarizing. My audience laughed often—I found nothing amusing. This is sad. Despite some grief with the overall uneven, unwieldy execution, I’m glad to have seen it. Truly, we're all slaves to the past, and doomed to repeat it, unless we look inward.... Read more Read less

See it if you like a show that deals with an intense subject.

Don't see it if you don't like edgy play and feel uncomfortable with sex on stage.

See it if 4 Black/White couples explore how institution of slavery/racism negatively impacts their romantic relationships, esp. sex lives.

Don't see it if Less controversial than hyped. Plays with pros and cons of leftist ideas (feeling "seen," triggers/ microaggressions, making space, etc.).

Also Diversity: half the cast is Black (4 interracial couples). One gay men couple.
Ticket from online lottery for $29. Seat in rear mezzanine.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to know what the hype is about. It's definitely different form your "typical" play and sure to promote conversation

Don't see it if you want something light & entertaining and don't want to be challenged. Also if uncomfortable with nudity/sexual situations on stage

Also Without giving too much away, I found some of the performances uneven. Some of the characters were way too over the top that it made me question what the show was trying to be. Was it supposed to be a comedy? Because some of the performances felt that way. But I felt like that diminishes the message it is trying to convey, and in the end it left me feeling that play lacked an identity.... Read more Read less

See it if Like being challenged in the theatre. Value serious discussions of race, relationships, therapy, privilege, and sex.

Don't see it if Are avoidant of bold theatre that embraces conflict, nudity, racial tension, relationship angst.

See it if Fascinating and challenging... mirrors are there for a reason.

Don't see it if Intense and uncomfortable...these are not negatives.

See it if You are interested in the ways we attempt to understand & heal racial injustice. We fail.

Don't see it if You prefer something uplifting

See it if you are up for a rather unusual, contrived yet affecting & disquieting story about race & sex with uncomfortable laughing & biting truths

Don't see it if Bold , bare, uncensored dialogue would upset you. Lots of cruel, painful imagery, nudity & violent interactions are included and satirized.

Also Very strange, bold & unusual show. Enormous, mirrored set reflects the largely white Broadway audience into the play-purposefully & pointedly. The long 'therapy' scene was cringe-worthy but gave the characters an opportunity to speak out. And there is humor...but OMG, is it ever rough stuff! Leaves you with a lot to think about. Do we ALL carry the imprint of our ancestor's histories in us---OR---are we sovereign human beings unto our individual selves? Whew!... Read more Read less

See it if It’s so many adjectives, but, necessary. It starts off SO funny 😆 and sexual, than act 2, takes a turn, but, makes sense with Act 1, then

Don't see it if Act 3 summarizes a couple of the characters lives. I can see where people were confused 🤷🏽‍♂️ and it is a smidge over 2 hours, without an

Also Intermission, which seems deliberate: 1) people may walk out, because of how sexual act 1 is, but, I believe it also lacked an intermission because the author didn’t want you to have much time to digest the first act, but, instead, to just take it all in together. Listen is simulated sex, nudity, satire, Rihanna, racism/ race talk, the “N” word, therapy, or non-musicals are triggers, this is not for you—- but, it’s awesome! At least see it for “hot Phillip” ....... Read more Read less

See it if Expertly constructed, elicts wide range of drama to comedy, wonderfully talented cast

Don't see it if To paraphrase an actual line "This all feels like bullshit" permeated my thoughts for final 2/3rds of the play

See it if You like experimental theatre whose only goal is to shock you and upset you.

Don't see it if I would not recommend seeing it.

Also First of all, Slave Play was way too long without an intermission. It started shortly after 8:00 and it was 10:30 when I got out on the street. It should have had an intermission.

I had read that it was a metaphor and people (especially white people) were supposed to feel uncomfortable and look inward. This show had very little to do with slavery in this country.

There were three acts. The first was about 20 min and had explicit sex scenes of “antebellum” sex (?). I saw many people leave. The second act was about an hour and was the “meat” of the play. Apparently three couples in which one partner was one and the other black were attending a “retreat” (?) for deal with sex problems arising out of being a mixed couple. While there were some very funny moments, the second act went on forever. The third act was similar to the first with one of the couples trying to pick up the pieces. Very confusing.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a clever idea.

Don't see it if It's hard to describe without giving anything away but a clever plot is ruined with a truly awful opening, messy pacing and confused themes.

See it if After seeing it previously at NYTW, I will say this production surpasses what blew me away Off Bway. The current version is perfection!

Don't see it if You aren’t up for some raw, exhilarating, jaw dropping action going on at Golden! This play is an absolute must see! Better than Off Bway!

See it if you want to be challenged & perhaps made to feel uncomfortable during a provocative show about race relations. It's certainly bold.

Don't see it if you're looking for something buoyant or straightforward. I found most of this play a chore to sit through. Not fun. It also needs trimming.

Also For the record, I LIKE provocative shows & I was looking forward to strong commentary on race relations, even if it may be difficult to swallow. But Slave Play just didn't do it for me. The playwright took an interesting approach with this sexual fetishization thing, but I found the show really tedious, confusing & ultimately rather boring.

It's also too long, at 130 minutes with no intermission. I understand that an intermission might encourage hoards of walk-outs but that middle scene (the couples counseling session) can easily be trimmed by about 20 minutes.

VERY HAPPY to see plays like this produced on Broadway though. I'd definitely buy a ticket to Jeremy O. Harris' next show.... Read more Read less

See it if you want a very funny, sexy play about institutionalized racism.

Don't see it if you're uncomfortable with explicit sex - it only goes only for a few minutes AND I'd say everyone should see this show, so it's worth it.

See it if You want to be challenged as a viewer. I am still thinking it over in my head days later. Amazing acting onstage, but very intense

Don't see it if Topics and depictions of racial aggression are triggering. This show will make you uncomfortable. But if you are triggered by this, don't go

See it if You want to see a new play that delves into race, sex, and power.

Don't see it if You want some lite and fluffy.

Also Interesting thoughts on how race and power play into sex and attraction. Strong cast.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to explore race relations in the US. You enjoy the dynamics of personal relationships between romantic couples.

Don't see it if You are squeamish about simulated sex on stage.

See it if You like plays that encourage active audience engagement, that explore the hard truth of our past and present.

Don't see it if It’s painful. No matter who you are, it’s a painful but rewarding evening of theatre.

See it if you like new thoughtful plays; you are interested in plays around racial dynamics

Don't see it if you don't want to discuss racial relations; you are uncomfortable with sexual situations

Also Slave Play is an outstanding addition to the season. The play deals with racial dynamics in couples. Though performed without an intermission, the play moves among the three couples easily, and the final scene with the therapists brings out all the hidden thoughts of the participants. The ensemble is excellent. Still thinking about this play.... Read more Read less