AJM

See it if Fast paced. Dark but funny. Even when it seems like the devil’s got ya, with some imagination & guts you just might escape an unwelcome fate

Don't see it if you’re looking for a serious drama, have no interest in stories about ex-cons, not into raunchy comedy or need an intermission.

See it if A powerful story about the limitations of intellect when facing death. It’s an experience that reminds you what theater is for.

Don't see it if you prefer lighthearted pieces and happy endings or find plays about illness/cancer triggering or upsetting.

Also “Wit” won the 1999 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. As playwright Margaret Edson says about Vivian, the lead character in “Wit”, “I wanted to write a play about grace. And about one woman’s coming into her own true self. The thing about Vivian is that she’s as human as the rest of us. She just doesn’t realize it. So, the work of the play is to help her understand that being human is a shambles; it’s a mess, but all we have is each other. And, so, if she can disarm herself, if she can soften and empty and open herself, then she’ll find out that she is a real, living, complete, whole, messed up person. And that in her life is gonna be an act of grace.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QolMf9engU... Read more Read less

See it if a sweet, charming, fun-filled musical w/puppets about an abandoned dog’s journey to find a loving, new owner would appeal.

Don't see it if you don’t like puppets or musicals or dogs or musicals about dogs or prefer your theater serious, sophisticated or profound.

Also Although this is a family-friendly musical, many in the audience were adults without children, so you might want to consider going if you just want a simple, delightful, uncomplicated theater experience. If you’re thinking of going with children, please consider whether your child is socialized enough to not talk loudly during the performance, constantly kick the back of the seat in front of them or generally make a very distracting fuss. And, if they’re afraid of dogs, this might not be the theater piece for them, either. A grandmother brought her not yet sufficiently socialized and afraid of dogs granddaughter to the performance I attended. Unfortunately, this child was very problematic for her grandmother and the audience for the first 30 minutes. If the actors were distracted by this child, they didn’t show it, which couldn’t have been easy, since she was sitting in the 2nd row. Thankfully, her grandmother finally gave up trying to calm her granddaughter down and they left.... Read more Read less

See it if a funny play about the politics in higher education. I saw it as a metaphor for how hard it is for people to come together these days,

Don't see it if bothered by a fast-pace, lots of talking over each other, sound of gun shots or the topic of school shootings would be a trigger for you.

Also The actors deserve a special shout out. I thought they were all well cast in their roles and they all did a great job. That alone made this play worth seeing, although it certainly has other qualities to recommend it.... Read more Read less

See it if you would enjoy a light-hearted, well-written, staged & acted night @ the theater. Perfect antidote to the challenging times we live in.

Don't see it if you’re looking for a serious drama or have no interest in anything Sherlock Holmes or Dickens’ A Christmas Carol related.

Also My expectations going in were modest, but, soon enough, I was very pleasantly surprised and engaged by this charming play. The acting was excellent and my hat is off to the cast for the many quick costume changes they had to make. Well done them! The set wasn’t fancy but was used cleverly, efficiently and effectively. Kudos to the costumer designer, too. As for the story - without giving anything away - all I will say is that Sherlock Holmes never disappoints! If you’re looking for an easy, light-hearted, escapist piece of theater, go see this. I think you’ll enjoy it.... Read more Read less

See it if you’d enjoy seeing Faith Salie in person and hearing about her life.

Don't see it if you don’t like Faith Salie or are looking for a memorable night at the theater.

Also I had previously enjoyed Faith Salie from listening to her on NPR's Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me! and watching her CBS News Sunday Morning and was looking forward to seeing her show but I left feeling disappointed. She’s very earnest and energetic and there were definitely some laughs, but there was also much that fell flat that shouldn’t have and I found myself looking forward to the show ending. Ultimately, I didn’t find most of her life story particularly unusual or compelling, either in substance or presentation. It felt like an indulgent, vanity project to me.... Read more Read less

See it if you’d enjoy a period drama set in the 1960s dealing with small town narrow mindedness, racial prejudice, religion & deep family conflicts.

Don't see it if you prefer lighthearted pieces and happy endings or find plays with profound family, racial and social tensions triggering or upsetting.

See it if a one-person show about the calculated inequities aimed at African Americans in the criminal justice system appeals to you.

Don't see it if you don’t like one-person shows, you’re a racist or you’re not interested in plays with a social justice message.

Also This show was powerful, funny, sly and very entertaining, while at the same time being thought provoking and moving. The performer, Liza Jessie Peterson, believes that the prison system is America’s fastest growing industry and is set up to profit from unfairly incarcerating African Americans. If you’re white and an empathic person, this play will probably make you uncomfortable and remind you that it’s hard, if not impossible, to truly comprehend what life can be like for African Americans on a daily basis.... Read more Read less

See it if you’d enjoy a modest, well-intentioned, modern take on a classic with inventive costuming and earnest acting.

Don't see it if you’re looking for a traditional theatrical experience or multi-media experimentation doesn’t interest you.

See it if you know little or nothing about the current, dreadful state of the healthcare/health insurance industries in this country.

Don't see it if you hope to learn something new about our nightmare, health care/health insurance industries or are looking for lighter fare.

Also Sadly, I thought this ernest, well-intended show was mostly a waste of time and money. For heavens sake, unless you’ve been living under a rock, who in this country doesn’t already know how broken our healthcare/health insurance industries are?? That fact was the entire point of this show, but what it had to say added ZERO to the conversation. On top of which, the staging was uninspired and distracting and the acting was mostly only fair. Do yourself a favor and pass on this one.... Read more Read less

See it if a short solo performance of a challenging, idiosyncratic, highly referential, elegiac, Irish poem about love lost appeals. Not for everyone.

Don't see it if you dislike poetry, hard-to-follow material, short pieces, sad pieces, Irish accents, one-man shows or prefer more traditional theater.

Also If you know and like the poet’s work and don’t mind a lot of obscure references — though they might not be obscure if you’re familiar with the poet and his Irish references — you might find this worthwhile. Although very challenging, it certainly has substance. The poets’s love for the woman he lost and her unorthodox approach to her illness are made clear, but it’s hard work to follow what went on in their relationship, except for the fact that it was intense and he seems to have admired as well as loved her. Good use of screen projections and props in this production. Excellent acting. Strongly recommend that you read the poem before you buy a ticket or attend a performance:

https://thepoeticquotidian.blogspot.com/2007/02/paul-muldoon-incantata.html... Read more Read less

See it if you’re interested in a powerful, complex, moving & deeply disturbing family drama about female depression, suicide & substance abuse.

Don't see it if you’re triggered by themes of suicide, depression or substance abuse, can’t handle tough subject matter or are looking for light fare.

Also If you want to experience one of the best dramas of the season, go see this. However, before you go, you should know that the stories of three, female, family members are presented on stage simultaneously. That means that people are talking over each other for most of the play, which makes it challenging to follow the action. So, if that kind of play structure would drive you crazy or you think you would find it too hard to follow, this probably isn’t the right play for you.... Read more Read less

See it if you’d enjoy an autobiographical vanity project, emphasis on vanity, involving three generations of the same family.

Don't see it if an indulgent story about family dynamics, medical discoveries & disappointment in one’s own achievements — or lack thereof — doesn’t appeal.

Also While the acting was fine, the piece itself struck me as a real vanity project — and not a particularly good one — about two members of two different generations of the same family who were disappointed that they didn’t meet with the same kind of success and acclaim that one of their famous forebears did. It wasn’t helped by the fact that the playwright started things off by offering to sell his mother’s artwork — which was hanging all over the set — if anyone cared to buy it! His mother was both a psychologist and, I’m sorry to say, a not very good amateur artist. While I can understand the characters’ disappointments in life, not everyone can be a star and their inability to grasp and accept that and not let it get in the way of enjoying life made them seem shallow and uninteresting to me, especially given that the mother was a psychologist. Physician heal thy self!... Read more Read less

See it if you’d enjoy earnest, creative but not always well articulated stories about episodes in black history.

Don't see it if you’re looking for sophisticated story telling, aren’t interested in the black experience, don’t like loud music or hour long performances.

Also This piece has a lot of heart and they were quite creative with what I would guess to be a modest budget. I enjoyed the puppetry and use of multi-media, but it wasn’t always a coherent whole and had I not actually known the real life stories of the characters being depicting, I might not have been able to easily follow some of the connections the author of the piece was trying to make.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to experience an intelligent, powerful, timely, very human, character-driven, superbly written & beautifully acted play.

Don't see it if you want an action play, lighthearted fare or are triggered by gun violence or seeing a gun on stage.

Also This is a show about a school shooting and its aftermath that non-judgmentally asks the question, “What would you do in a crisis?” and depicts how what one man did in the crisis he faced changed his life and the lives of so many others around him forever. It did make me wonder how I would react if placed in the same situation, so, it definitely got its point across.... Read more Read less

See it if Non-linear. Interactive. Young refugees tell individual & collective stories about what it means to leave home behind & start a new life.

Don't see it if You don’t enjoy non-linear or audience participation pieces. While engaging, it did not entirely come together as a whole.

Also Very good acting, but parts of this piece moved quickly, which, combined with a lot of different accents, made it hard catch everything being said. Although the set design was simple, it was used to quite good effect. The title comes from the notion that everyone is continually creating a map of their own life. Thus, everyone is a cartographer. The audience participation part, which is optional, was an interesting aspect of this piece. It depicted, via a projection of a map of the world that was continually being adjusted as new data was added in real time, where members of the audience and their ancestors came from and, fascinatingly, they came from all over the world.... Read more Read less

See it if you're a fan of either or both excellent actors and/or you want to see a touching story about aging and a father and son relationship.

Don't see it if aging or caring for an elderly parent are topics that are too difficult/emotional/triggering for you.

Also Although the legendary Len Cariou flubbed — but masterfully recovered — some of his lines, I hope that at his age (80) I am on my game half as much as he was in this heartfelt, hilarious, entertaining play.

Although some reviewers here and professional critics elsewhere have said that this felt at times like a sit-com to them, I know people like the two characters portrayed in this play and I thought it was realistic, smart, warm, touching, funny and well-written, an all too realistic look at the kind of father-son relationship that, unfortunately, many fathers and sons seem to have.

Sadly, the small theater was somewhat empty the night I was there, but most in the audience seemed to enjoy what they saw on stage and let Len Cariou and Craig Bierko know it. I also want to give a shout out to the set designer who did a great job depicting the father’s somewhat cluttered but comfy, long-time home.... Read more Read less

See it if you would enjoy a sad/funny story revolving around the loss/disappearance of a loved one and some very good ensemble acting.

Don't see it if no frills theater or quirky, slice of life depictions of dysfunctional families don’t appeal or the loss of a loved one might be a trigger.

Also The tiny, bare bones stage might put you off when you first see it, but its limitations are no barrier and are ably overcome in the telling of this touching and funny story that feels like an indie movie come to life. The acting, consisting of mostly two-person scenes, is very good. The dialogue is smart and the sadness and hope conveyed is believable and relatable. I didn’t expect to get nearly as much as I got from this play. Glad I saw it.... Read more Read less

See it if you appreciate good acting and story telling, engaging monologues and an intimate theater experience.

Don't see it if you want a lot of action, are triggered by stories of sexual assault and emotional abuse or have trouble understanding Irish accents.

See it if you know and like Horton Foote’s work or want to get to know it. This production’s a gem.

Don't see it if old fashioned dramas that unfold slowly and are heavy on characterization rather than action don't appeal or you’re looking for light fare.

Also The acting — especially by Aidan Quinn and Kristine Nielsen — was excellent and the writing, well, what can I say, it’s classically wonderful Horton Foote. Go see this, it’s terrific and worth the time. In case you don’t know, Horton Foote wrote the very touching and sensitive screenplays for “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “Tender Mercies” and won Academy Awards for both. He also won the 1995 Pulitzer Prize in Drama for this play, back in the days when Pulitzer Prizes were awarded to truly deserving work.... Read more Read less

See it if a sweet, earnest but thin on content and easily forgettable show sounds like a good way to spend your time.

Don't see it if I would recommend passing on this one.

Also The (mostly young) actors/singers tried very hard and some were particularly good, but this show was simply too simplistic and one-note and really just a string of songs about climate change. After 3 or 4 numbers, it got very repetitious, despite the singers/actors best efforts. Enjoyed the 3-piece band accompanying the singers, who played a number of familiar songs for the audience before the show started.... Read more Read less

See it if you’re interested in a classic, American tragedy with creative, lively staging and excellent performances by the entire cast.

Don't see it if a 3-hr drama is too much for you or you prefer lighter fare. This is Arthur Miller, after all.

Also I thought the comedic elements at the beginning were very odd and out of place. They set the wrong tone and I was concerned about having to sit through 3 hours of that. Thankfully, it didn’t last long and the the rest of the play was fine.

Note: Some other reviewers have said the theater was cool/cold, but it was actually quite warm at the performance I attended.... Read more Read less

See it if you want a well written & acted tale of racism, sexual abuse & power dynamics that makes you think. Many unexpected plot twists and turns.

Don't see it if racism, sexual abuse or power dynamics are triggering for you or serious dramas don’t appeal.

Also Don’t want to give anything away (although, unfortunately, other reviewers here have), so all I will say is go see this play. It’s well worth your time and effort. If you need further convincing, you might be interested to know that, impressively, “Reparations” is the first show in the 47-year history of the Billie Holiday Theater written by someone of non-African descent.... Read more Read less

See it if you like historical plays about politics/the presidency/gender issues & would enjoy a fictional look behind the scenes of a real event.

Don't see it if you prefer your entertainment to be non-political.

Also This play takes place in 1979 and depicts how the erosion of American’s confidence in the future was threatening to destroy the social and the political fabric of America. In a prime-time televised address, with energy prices soaring and interest rates spiking, President Jimmy Carter told an anxious nation that it faced “a crisis of confidence” and would have to pull together to see the country through its energy problems. Ultimately, unfortunately, Carter was not successful in getting the country to become more self-aware, less self-indulgent and less consumption-oriented. Whatever you feel/felt about the Carter presidency, he was a man with a moral compass, a sense of decency and an admirable desire to do good in the world. Sadly, if you are familiar with Carter’s speech or read it today, you will see that we are still facing many of the same problems that we were facing in 1979.... Read more Read less

See it if a somber, contemporary drama about the lingering, psychic wounds of war would interest you.

Don't see it if the awfulness of war & its effects on the bodies & souls of the men who fight them aren’t of interest or are triggering for you. Heavy play.

Also Both actors bring humanity and empathy to their roles and the bond they create with each other felt believable and sincere. Though they fought in different wars in different eras, they share much of the same emotional pain. This play shows the realities of combat soldiers’ PTSD and their struggle to heal and clearly wants audiences to come away with a deeper understanding of the sacrifices that these men make for our country.

After the play, I was told by one of the actors that they had originally engaged a venue on Theater Row, which, unfortunately, they subsequently lost. The Off Off Broadway venue where it’s playing isn’t drawing an audience, which is a shame, because this play really deserves to be seen. Sadly, there were only 8 of us in the audience at the performance I saw.... Read more Read less

See it if A play about talk radio, politics and sexual harassment that attempts to take on a lot of today’s important issues. Some good acting.

Don't see it if if you’re a Trump supporter and/or sexual harassment at work (or anywhere, for that matter) is triggering.

Also I enjoyed most of the acting and much of the dialogue wasn’t bad, but the play just didn’t amount to much and I would say that you can pass on this one. I wouldn’t mind seeing 3 out of the 4 actors in a better vehicle than this earnest but tepid and uninspired piece. This play seemed mostly like an excuse for the author to get some things off his chest, but there was nothing new or particularly interesting about what he had to say.... Read more Read less

See it if a smart, tender, funny, philosophical, autobiographical, solo show about enlightenment & forgiveness would appeal to you.

Don't see it if abuse/trauma issues are triggering. You like a play with a linear plot that is resolved by the end. You dislike autobiographical solo shows.

Also Good-natured writer/actor Martin Moran gently but energetically weaves several stories together, that of his own and the people he’s met in his search to understand why he's not angry about the sexual abuse he suffered early in his life and to reclaim the anger one might normally be expected to feel as a result. He really never does reclaim that anger, except in a displaced way that doesn’t actually do him any good. What does seem to do him a lot of good is his belief in the power of empathy and that we're all connected and need to take care of each other. Given the themes addressed, the show is surprisingly very funny. Compared to Spalding Gray in his storytelling, I did not see his earlier piece, “The Tricky Part”, but certainly would like to after seeing this one.... Read more Read less

See it if Very well-acted, funny-sad story of a group of 9-year-old, Scottish boys in the summer of 1983 & the incident that changes their lives.

Don't see it if Scottish accents would be problematic or violence towards children is triggering.

Also The five, adult, male actors did an amazing and incredibly believable job of capturing the energy, camaraderie, emotionality and conflicts of a tight knit group of young, Scottish boys in the 1980s. I thought this play would be good because of things I had read about it before I saw it, but I still wasn’t prepared for how powerful and moving it was. My only caveat is that the Scottish accents and somewhat challenging acoustics of the venue sometimes make the characters both hard to understand and hard to hear.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a very good acting job and a very heartfelt performance.

Don't see it if you aren’t interested in racial themes &/or don’t like being hit over the head with the point of a play. Too preachy and one-note for me.

Also I understand the frustration, sadness and anger of African-Americans over how they are too often treated in this country and in the world at large, but making the point over and over and over for 90 minutes was, well, overkill and, unfortunately, I had trouble staying with the piece, as a result. The author/actor gave a very heartfelt performance and was fascinating to watch on stage and I hate to write such a negative review, but I go to the theater to be stimulated and entertained, not lectured to and certainly not to be subjected to such repetitious fare as I found this play to be.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy shows about love/relationships, challenging work situations, immigrants and the every day realities of living life.

Don't see it if you want light subject matter or high production values.

Also I had fairly low expectations of this piece and was very pleasantly surprised at how good it was. A few of the characters were cliched, though still entertaining, but some of the acting was really quite moving and heart felt. The lead actress was particularly good, as was the actor who played her love interest.... Read more Read less

See it if u like one-man shows & the topics of drunk driving, doing prison time, white privilege, racial inequality, guilt and forgiveness interest u.

Don't see it if u prefer light subject matter & high production values or plays about racism, violence, drunk driving or prison are triggering for you.

Also This one-man show of sorts takes place in a very small venue on a fairly bare bones stage. Although it was a very earnest, cautionary tale about driving drunk and the guilt felt for taking an innocent, young man’s life and being the lucky beneficiary of white privilege was made very clear, it just somehow didn’t quite strike home with me. I did think that the young actor did a great job with the material he had to work with, however.... Read more Read less

See it if you would enjoy a small, mostly entertaining play about dating (in this case gay dating) and accepting the one you love.

Don't see it if you’re homophobic, prefer serious dramas or are looking for high production values.

Also Amusing and entertaining, but be warned that it veers, at times, into seriously-over-the-top-acting territory. Ultimately, however, it ends with a poignant, thoughtful message about the necessity of accepting the person you love if you want your relationship to succeed.... Read more Read less

See it if a poignant, engrossing, very well written, acted and staged family drama about anorexia interests you.

Don't see it if the topic of anorexia triggers you; you don’t like family dramas. This isn’t a light-hearted night @ the theater, but it’s a worthwhile one.

Also Excellent play. How good it was actually took me by surprise. And the ending really was a surprise. The dialog sounded exactly like what I image real people would say in the circumstances portrayed, the acting was very good, the set was clever and the clothing design was spot on. Kudos to the talented, young playwright, who also starred in the play. Her struggle with anorexia seems to have given her wisdom beyond her years.... Read more Read less

See it if you are a fan of Rita Rudner and are OK with a sitcom type production like those you can see on TV any day of the week.

Don't see it if It’s an amateurish, vanity piece for Rita Rudner with only some funny lines & semi-decent songs. Belongs in a community theater.

See it if you like intense two-handers and are interested in a depiction of how being held in captivity affects the human psyche.

Don't see it if you’re looking for a linear plot or an upbeat night at the theater.

Also Intriguing concept for a play. Absorbing execution. Good set design/use of a small space. Very good acting.

This play was raw and dark, though not without moments of tenderness and, surprisingly, even humor. Although there was no indication or explanation of where or why the characters were being held captive, I didn’t think it mattered or would necessarily have added anything much to the story. The focus of the play was on how the captives were enduring their captivity and their relationship to one another, not the circumstance of their capture. In addition to being a literal depiction of hostages in captivity, this piece could also be a metaphor for the “prisons” we create for ourselves or find ourselves in through no fault of our own.

Note: The night I was there, it was quite warm in the theater, even with the air-conditioning supposedly on.... Read more Read less

See it if you like autobiographical, solo shows & coming of age stories. Cale plays all the roles, including his father, mother, brother & himself.

Don't see it if domestic violence, alcoholic parents or family trauma might be triggering for you or you don’t like one-person shows.

Also The writing and performance were both good and the music and songs added poignancy, but, given what Cale went through as a child and young adult, I expected to be more affected than I was. Maybe Cale has truly worked through the trauma of what he lived through and that’s why more of the palpable anger and sadness I would have expected to see portrayed on stage wasn’t there. And good for him, if he has. And/or maybe it’s because he’s British and, typically, they don’t wear their hearts on their sleeves the same way that many others do. On the other hand, his tender feelings for and identification with his mother were very apparent and the most moving part for me. Whatever the reason I experienced the piece the way I did, I was happy both for him and the audience that he ended it on a very life affirming note that seemed quite genuine.... Read more Read less

See it if you would enjoy an Irish version of a Greek tragedy set on a 20th century, rural, Irish farm.

Don't see it if you‘re looking for a contemporary or light-hearted play or a musical, have trouble with Irish accents.

Also Although this well-written play is a period piece, it’s themes — intolerance, hypocrisy, sexism, the consequences of the choices we make — are timeless.

The actor playing the husband/son was hard to understand — quite mumbly — at the beginning of the play and some of his physical acting was very odd, although, thankfully, both got better as the play progressed. The actor playing the father was hard to hear from the last row. The theater only has 8 rows, so it really shouldn’t be hard to project one’s voice that far! Otherwise, the acting was good.

The stage is somewhat small, but the set designer made the most of it, convincingly depicting a rural, Irish farmhouse and its surroundings. The costume designer is also to be commended.... Read more Read less

See it if you’re interested in Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher & her relationship with Queen Elizabeth & the Thatcher era in politics, in general.

Don't see it if modern, British history isn’t of interest. You don't like plays that break the fourth wall.

Also By juxtaposing two of the world’s most powerful women with so much — they were close in age and shaped by fathers they adored — and yet so little in common — one believed there was no such thing as society and the other’s job in life was to serve it — the playwright sets the scene for some playful, witty, high-spirited, intelligent speculation on what MIGHT have gone on for the 11 years from 1979 to 1990 behind the closed doors of Queen Elizabeth’s and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s weekly meetings at Buckingham Palace.

If there was a Wikipedia page about these meetings, you would undoubtedly glean from it something about who these women were and what made them tick, but not with the wit, charm and enjoyment this play provides. While Queen Elizabeth’s humanity shines through over and over, Margaret Thatcher is a tragic figure brought down, ultimately, by her strong will and unyielding nature.

Good acting by all, but I especially enjoyed the 4 women playing Thatcher & the Queen.... Read more Read less

See it if Run — don’t walk— to see this!

Don't see it if Like I said, run — don’t walk— to see this!

Also One of the most delightful and funny theater experiences you are ever likely to have! Don’t miss it!... Read more Read less

See it if you would enjoy a moving depiction of what different stages of life can be like for gay men.

Don't see it if you’re homophobic or have no interest in the gay experience or issues related to aging or are looking for high production values.

Also This is a clever, well-acted, poignant play. Although it’s a story about gay men, I think it’s also a universal story about the human condition and the ups and downs of living life. While this is a serious play, it does have many humerous moments. Despite the low production values and a bare bones set, I was impressed by how much they did with the little they had.... Read more Read less

See it if you like two-handers and/or serious plays about complicated male/female relationships involving secrets and betrayals.

Don't see it if you want something light or uplifting or want to get the point of a play by the time it ends. War, death and betrayal are the themes here.

Also I saw the very memorable, 2007, Lincoln Center Theater production of this play and the role of Peter in this production is seriously miscast, in my opinion, at least if you go by how the role was cast and performed in 2007. This miscasting is one of the major reasons the play didn’t work for me this time around. In the 2007 production, which got a rave review in The NY Times, Peter was downright scary, which kept you guessing and on the edge of your seat. In this production, Peter just seems like a sad sack. I think the author, Christopher Shinn, did himself and his play a disservice by directing this oddly inert production. What is quite interesting, however, is how the same words can be spoken by two different actors to such different effect. On a more positive note, I enjoyed Mary Elizabeth Winstead’s acting.... Read more Read less

See it if you’re interested in the unusual, in non-traditional puppetry and in innovative, thought-provoking theater.

Don't see it if It’s a short piece, around an hour. If that doesn’t sound like a substantial enough night out at the theater to you, you might want to pass.

Also Although, if you do pass, you will be missing a truly unique, theatrical experience! The story told was relevant and relatable, but, sadly, this tale does not have a happy ending. So, be prepared when things take a dark turn. On a more upbeat note, producing an “animated" movie live in front of the audience was an incredible, multi-tasking feat on the part of the humans involved and it was fascinating to watch them work. There was a technical glitch right at the start the night I was there that could have torpedoed the evening, but due to some quick thinking, they recovered. It was a good reminder of what can happen in live theater, yet, amazingly, rarely does. After the show, I enjoyed the opportunity to examine the set closely, which audience members were invited and encouraged to do, and to speak with the creators/performers to find out more about the inspiration for the piece and its production history.... Read more Read less

See it if you’re interested in the eternally important topic of the Holocaust and man’s ability to be profoundly inhumane to his fellow man.

Don't see it if I’m sorry to say that Vilna is a Vil-not.

Also The actors were all good, but the play was simply inadequate. As one critic said, “Vilna tells a story of such historical importance, bearing a message of such timeless relevance, that it is a great pity it hasn't been told more forcefully.... A sincere and reasonably well-constructed work, Vilna is top-heavy with characters and incidents, the latter unfolding with a plodding determination that is the very opposite of drama.”... Read more Read less

See it if You like Sondheim. It was fun, entertaining, well crafted and well executed. Ignore the critics and go see it for yourself.

Don't see it if You don’t like Sondheim. Don’t want to see a terrific cast act and sing their hearts out.

Also Glad I ignored all the negativity from the professional reviewers. Had I not, I would have missed a terrific night at the theater. The energetic cast sang and acted well. The staging was creative. And the music was great! Go see it before it closes on April 14.... Read more Read less

See it if It’s easy to believe that what you see onstage — or something very much like it — might have taken place during HRC’s 2008 Presidential run!

Don't see it if you don't like the Clintons or political/historical plays. You’re not looking for an intellectually challenging, theatergoing experience.

Also The acting was excellent, but I would expect nothing less from Laurie Metcalf & John Lithgow. Zak Orth as Hilary’s strategist & Peter F. James as Barack Obama are very good in their supporting roles.

If you expect to see Laurie Metcalf sporting a Hillary Clinton-type wig or her famous pantsuit in impersonation of the real Hillary Clinton you might be disappointed at first, but hang in there and watch Metcalf conjure up the Hillary Clinton persona solely on the strength of her acting and the dialogue the playwright has provided for her.

As for the set, it’s about as bare bones as they come, but the stripped down hotel room where the action takes place cleverly serves to focus the audience’s attention on the power struggles and intense emotions that will unfold over the course of the play.

This comic tragedy is a fascinating study of the impact of power on relationships, the complexity of love and commitment and the role of women in a still male dominated society.... Read more Read less

See it if you’re interested in women’s rights & learning something about the U.S. Constitution and can bear a story about intergenerational trauma.

Don't see it if dislike monologues, support Donald Trump, don’t want to hear a story about abused women, want a fancy set or light entertainment.

Also Heidi Schrek is charming but her earnestness eventually got a bit old for me.... Read more Read less

See it if you love revivals of great musicals & especially the music in this show. The songs are some of the best to be found in a musical of any era.

Don't see it if you’re hoping this production will re-create the inimitable magic of the movie version starring the charming Audrey Hepburn & Rex Harrison.

Also I liked Harry Hadden-Paton as Henry Higgins but felt that Laura Benanti was miscast. At almost 40, she’s too old to convincingly play the 19 year old Eliza. Happily, she was more convincing in later scenes where she plays the more worldly wise woman she’s become. That being said, however, too much of her performance lacked a spark. I also thought the politically correct ending was confusing and made no sense. There was absolutely no reason for Eliza to show up again at Henry Higgins house and walk out on him a second time after she’d already told him off and walked out on him at his mother’s house in an earlier scene. On the other hand, both Henry Higgins’ mother and Eliza’s father were played by understudies the night I was there and, while I didn’t get to see either Rosemary Harris or Danny Burstein in those roles, I can’t say that I minded very much because their understudies were absolutely terrific.... Read more Read less

See it if you’re looking for a serious, well-written, well-acted play and are OK with the sadly topical themes of bullying and gun violence.

Don't see it if you're uncomfortable with issues like bullying or gun violence or are looking for light entertainment.