The Iceman Cometh (Broadway)

See it if You enjoy the works of Eugene O’Neill, enjoy plays with timeless themes, are a Denzel fan, and like a play with a largely male cast

Don't see it if You are easily bored, are uncomfortable with racist terms, or don’t like plays that take place over brief periods of time

See it if you like to see good acting from a fine cast. I feel this revival is solely as vehicle for acting

Don't see it if you don't like long show...this one is near 4 hr long. Not easy to follow as there is large cast and many speak with accent

See it if you are interested in plays that reveal the psychological hangups of a diverse set of characters played by masters.

Don't see it if you dislike long, serious plays about a group of deeply flawed individuals.

See it if you like an evocative set , good performances, although confusing interpretation, Hicky is having a breakdown, DW plays like born again

Don't see it if you want to see O'Neill's play. This is a OK production but DW's is off on lead role. (Although he's still kind of enjoyable to watch)

See it if You’ve never seen this masterwork.

Don't see it if You have attention issues.

See it if You are a dedicated O'Neillean revival fan or would die to see Denzel. This play is two hours too long and should've cut a lot of exposition

Don't see it if You value your time and want to have fun. This is an intense night of a story that ends up being a story.

See it if you are anxious to see Danzel or if you want to see any production of this amazing play. The play is a masterpiece.

Don't see it if you're looking for a definitive version of Iceman. Can't sit for 4 hours without focusing purely on the dialogue. Need light entertainment

Also I have nothing with which to compare this. My first exposure to Iceman, even given that, this diamond of a play is hidden under so much coal dust that it doesn’t have a chance to shine. Walked in cold, not really knowing anything about the play, and found myself hanging on the dialogue. If only the production was better.
The cast is good with fine actors who I’ve seen before, but Wolfe’s direction doom’s the production to being slow and mediocre. Couldn’t get past the fact that unless a character was speaking, they didn’t move. Sometimes 18 characters on stage, no one moves unless they speak. Is every production done with final monologue seated facing the audience? Even if another character responds to what’s being said Hickey addresses the audience? Odd choice.
About ugliest sets I’ve seen. I could not figure out in each scene, where we were supposed to be. Why bother to change the set?
I looking forward to revisiting Iceman in the next revival. This one only left me wanting better... Read more Read less

See it if like Eugene O'Neill and appreciate dialogue driven character's in crisis plays. If you enjoy Denzel Washington and larger casts.

Don't see it if If you don't like long plays, it's 4 hours and if you are frustrated when you can understand what people are saying because of bad miking.

See it if It was nice to see Denzel on stage but that happens late in the play.

Don't see it if Inarticulate, hard to understand accents, painfully slow, and too long..

See it if You are an O'Neill Fan. A George C. Wolfe fan. A Denzel fan.

Don't see it if your feeling low on patience. Do not appreciate many characters and their side arcs.

See it if An O'Neill fan. A Washington fan. Ensemble play fan.

Don't see it if aren't patient.

See it if you want to see excellent acting in an American classic play.

Don't see it if you don't like long plays. This one is just about four hours long.

Also Denzel Washington is excellent as Hickey in O'Neill's tragedy. A truly wonderful play but certainly not for everyone. O'Neill can be very repetitive. All other actors excellent as well. Staging very interesting for Hickey's long monologue in Act Four. He pulls a chair to the center of the stage near the audience and speaks to the audience instead of to the other characters. The director keeps the play moving well for the entire play.... Read more Read less

See it if Darkly humorous, fast-paced, larger-than-life characters, unusual take on O'Neill's somber classic. Denzel is a powerhouse on stage.

Don't see it if It is 4 hours of drunken down-and-outers dreaming and squabbling, in a squalid 1912 rooming house, poetic language, and a sad ending.

Also Director George Wolfe tried a new approach - and has found momentum in the play's overall action of "redemption gone wrong." He had the group move as a whole through their transformation - each phase had a distinct quality. He encouraged large vaudeville playing from his actors (in some cases a little too large). The design was theatrical and abstract. It all had the feel, the vitality and larger-than-life quality of a musical. And, for contrast, he has kept Larry Slade's (David Morse) story and the famous final monologue grounded and naturalistic. I was engaged throughout though not moved.... Read more Read less

See it if You love Denzel Washington

Don't see it if If you have any hearing issues as it’s very muffled and hard to follow

See it if You love O'Neill and want to see Denzel.

Don't see it if You do not like long plays! It is definitely a commitment, but it is well worth it, especially if you're a theater buff.

See it if You want to go on a long and profound journey with an amazing ensemble.

Don't see it if You can't handle long, cerebral, works; especially older ones where the dialect/speech is harder to follow.

Also Who am I to criticize a great playwright; I do think this work could have been shortened while still maintaining the integrity of the story and message. Still, it was very moving and profound.... Read more Read less

See it if you are a fan of the author or members of the cast.

Don't see it if you do not have the attention span to enjoy long productions.

See it if you want to see a uniformly outstanding cast breath vibrant life into an American classic

Don't see it if you can't sit still for four hours. This sucker is loooooooooong.

See it if You like classic theater with large cast. A big aria for everyone - especially for central characters. Denzel’s Hickey is solid and fresh.

Don't see it if Very long at almost 4 hours. Extremely repetitive, with every point hammered home. filled with emotional misery but strangely uplifting.

See it if you you like Eugene O'neill works and like long plays with huge casts. see if if you enjoy Denzel Washington.

Don't see it if you dont want to spend 3 hours in the theatre and want to be entertained quickly.

See it if want to see a great American play superbly performed. Denzel Washington at his best surrounded by terrific actors across the board.

Don't see it if you don't have the attention span.

See it if if you love the play or any of the cast (even the star).

Don't see it if 4 hours is too long to sit in a Broadway theatre with narrow seats and rude people.

Also Like another big revival this season (Saint Joan) the major flaw with this show is the star, who makes a valiant effort, but ultimately can't keep up with the more experienced theatre actors around him.This is one of those rare plays where nontraditional casting works somewhat against the play - there is a character of color already there, and his race is discussed constantly. When a Hickey of color shows up, you wonder why they never mention his race.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a very fine production of an O'Neill classic.

Don't see it if you do not like somber and serious drama with little to no comic relief.

Also Though Denzel is the raison d'etre for this production, there's a dozen other great actors on the stage as well. Though it runs nearly four hours, I was never bored.... Read more Read less

See it if You are a fan of Eugene O'Neill's plays and a fan of Denzel Washington. Denzel Washington turns in a reasonably good performance.

Don't see it if If you don't want to suffer through excruciating performances. Almost everyone "exclaims" their lines in a loud and monotonous way.

See it if enjoy amazing acting and complicated story lines. The acting takes the cake in this show

Don't see it if you are unable to sit through 4 hours. Are unable to follow several main character storylines