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 Visceral and incisive dominance on and in the"plantation".Difficult, desperate times call for power plays for inter-race couples getting on.

Don't see it if An accomplished enough work (and improved from its downtown mounting) to have to rely on gimmicky shock value to tell its tale.

See it if you enjoy think pieces. This will put your mind at work. It’s performed well & the new actress playing Kaneisha is an improvement from NYTW.

Don't see it if you are turned off by depictions of sex on stage, or sitting through an hour-plus therapy session doesn’t sound appealing to you.

See it if you’re white. We can’t fully grasp the violence our very presence can be to those still suffering at the hands of our race, but we must try.

Don't see it if you’re gonna be a Broadway Becky about it like the girl at the talkback posted to Twitter. She is a perfect example why we need this show.

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 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 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 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 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 You like thought provoking theatre and interesting views on race and sexuality.

Don't see it if You are easily offended or not willing to consider multiple opinions on race and society.

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 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 Provocative content of interracial relationship; 2hr15min without intermission!! Funny at times, dark & heavy in general; layers of parody;

Don't see it if Nudity; lots of SEX & violence; scenic design using huge mirrors that reflect actors & audience; intentionally challenging..

Also “Yale mafia” taking majority of the cast; lots of Yale reference;

See it if you want to be challenged.

Don't see it if you get uncomfortable easily. Or aren't on board for full frontal nudity.

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 It’s just damn good theater. One of those things that reminds me why live theater will never die.

Don't see it if You can’t deal with nudity and explicit sexual content. Anything else that you don’t like means it’s doing it’s job.

Also It wasn’t nearly as jarring or controversial as hype made me believe. But instead it was just smart, honest, and far more purely entertaining than I anticipated.... Read more Read less

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 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 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

See it if It examines power and gender dynamics in mixed race couples in a way that I've never seen addressed before. It's got a fantastic monologue.

Don't see it if There are depictions of sexual violence and relationship breakdowns that *I* found very very difficult to watch. YMMV. It's very good.