Alana 6293

See it if you like slice of life/identity plays about the interconnectedness of humanity and the (beautiful?) absurdity of existence

Don't see it if you want something that goes much deeper or says something truly unique/profound

Also I liked the premise and thought the show was very well done. Really enjoyable and poignant. However, the message was also quite in your face and fairly surface, especially if you've seen other plays around the same topic. The other issue is that I believe the audience was supposed to feel there was some essence to the Chris character that carried through all of the different "Chris" portrayals; this never came through to me because we didn't really get to know the character. In fact, the signals that it was "Chris" were not (in my opinion) indicative of character essence: a bad back, a daughter, a significant other who was a vet, etc.... Read more Read less

See it if See it for the singing and the end of the second act.

Don't see it if you want a perfect book and don't like weird staging decisions, like actors moving to different parts of the stage seemingly randomly.

Also After the first act, I would have given it a 70 or 71. The singer was AMAZING and it's totally worth seeing just to listen to him, but the story was all over the place and hard to follow/figure out what they were going for. The second act added a lot of depth to the first one and the acting/singing continued to be fantastic. The ending was powerful. With a re-written first act and some better staging, this would be a real gem.... Read more Read less

See it if You want an exploration of compartmentalizing / the "banality of evil" and its ramifications.

Don't see it if You want a fully polished production with a satisfying ending.

See it if you want to see a fabulous production of a lackluster script that could use some cutting/shaping

Don't see it if you get bored easily or fed up with watching so many scenes of young boys swinging.

Also The play's description gave away the climax and I was hoping for more character growth/transformation after the climax happened. Too much exposition; would have been better to visit these boys again after the climax.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy introspective monologues and amazing acting

Don't see it if you want a lot of action

Also The writing in Sea Wall was engrossing and engaging but it seemed the point was a reveal at the end, which left me feeling unsatisfied. There was minimal character growth/closure. A Life was much stronger in terms of coming together as a complete piece. Both actors were amazing.... Read more Read less

See it if you are hard of hearing and want to see something that could be good with a lot of workshopping + a dose of chemistry between the actors.

Don't see it if weird and thin plot doesn't appeal and you don't have ear plugs. Singers were great + songs good but overmiking ruined the aesthetic appeal

See it if you like character-driven plays about relationships and alienation.

Don't see it if Margulies set a high bar with his other plays so this was a tad disappointing but still worth seeing.

See it if you want a fantastic production that raises questions about populism, elitism, capitalism...very entertaining while also making you think!

Don't see it if you don't enjoy nuance and complexity in big production value performances

See it if you want to see a very talented cast put on a great (+ hilarious) show that touches on a lot without hitting you over the head with anything

Don't see it if you don't relate to people in their 20s/30s

See it if you've never seen the movie so don't know what the production is missing; willing to sit through many phoned-in songs for a few good ones

Don't see it if you love the movie, expect great music throughout, want a nuanced Sam. Pinkham's choice of deadpan except for impressions didn't work for me

Also We were sitting in the mezzanine and the emotions/music didn't carry that well. Probably would have rated this higher if we were closer. Also, this production needed better miking!... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a play with an interesting premise that has potential but is not fully developed.

Don't see it if unrealistic/poorly supported character choices, repetitive settings (bar-jail-bar-jail etc.), and lack of depth/complexity will bother you.

Also The author's note set up an interesting premise but the play didn't really venture much beyond what was stated in that note, nor do a stellar job of encapsulating the complexity of the situation/premise.... Read more Read less

See it if you want an engaging and entertaining play with incredible actors that also addresses very relevant issues in society today.

Don't see it if you only like musicals

Also masterful mix of light and serious

See it if the denial and realities of death and dying, as looked at through the lens of a sweet and powerful character, appeals. Ako made the show.

Don't see it if you can't handle death and dying. You'll get annoyed at the hammed up acting from the two daughters. Good writing, poor direction?

See it if an accessible, energetic production of romeo and juliet with solid acting performed up close and personal sounds like fun

Don't see it if you expect more than a retelling of the story, like some backstory on the teenage girl or better commentary in some parts.

See it if you love special effects and are a visual person. you have a high tolerance for incessant roaring.

Don't see it if you like shows with music that stays with you; you hoped for a fresh take on the story; you want a heroine that isn't a shitty person.

See it if larry phillips and randomly specific theater company always deliver. An entertaining - if a bit hammed up - play.

Don't see it if you want something very deep.

Also Ever since The Weekend Will End, I've wanted to see all Larry Phillips plays. None of them have quite lived up to the weekend will end, which had a lot to say on a character level in addition to being extremely entertaining.... Read more Read less

See it if you are interested in a unique musical and storytelling journey with a high priestess come to warn us about the current state of the world

Don't see it if you get bored easily. The relevance of some of the stories aren't immediately apparent and it takes a while for the themes to come together.

See it if you are ready for something to reach through all the day-to-day grime and genuinely make you feel

Don't see it if you lose patience quickly. I was nervous at the start but it turned into a great show (and I'm not a fan of two-character plays or cabaret)

Also The chemistry between the two actors and wonderful score make the show, as does the emotional ending... Read more Read less

See it if you are looking for a solid, well-written play and don't mind some gender role cliches

Don't see it if cliches about gender roles and dating, unlikeable characters who don't grow (everyone except troy), and unclear purpose won't satisfy

See it if you like brilliantly acted, character-driven, and masterfully written shows that are extremely relevant and powerful.

Don't see it if you want something fluffy

Also This play is an exceptional exploration of the "we can have differing political/moral views and still be friends" narrative and really exposes its incoherence and inherent hypocrisy, especially when these "political/moral views" are actually issues of tolerance... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a very well-done performance of a so-so script. Interesting subject but not captivating enough for a full-length production

Don't see it if you need a lot of action, you want to feel very emotionally connected to characters, you want more than one theme revisited throughout.

See it if you like ensemble theater, you are okay with non-linear stories that are portraits of times and people rather than an action-packed plot

Don't see it if you can't handle non-linear stories, you prefer stories where characters have clear differences and lots of development

See it if you want to see an entertaining, brilliantly-acted production that raises questions about assumptions, visibility, and education

Don't see it if you only like musicals.

See it if you want an entertaining , predictable musical about mother/daughter relationships. Most characters are tropes. Celeste Rose was great

Don't see it if you are looking for something with great dialogue. this at times felt stilted.

See it if you'd enjoy an entertaining parody of scooby doo; for the multiple roles played by brian rosenthal

Don't see it if you want something side-splittingly funny

See it if you know the movie very well and want to see a very talented ensemble cast poke fun at it.

Don't see it if you don't know the movie or you LOVE the movie so much you can't handle a parody.

Also The impressions of the actors Kiera Knightley, Hugh Grant, and Laura Linney were so spot on. Totally worth seeing. One huge oversight was that the people on the sides had a very awkward view of the action; everything was geared towards the people in the middle.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see some great actors deftly handle a relationship-centric play that revolves around the theme of women in science

Don't see it if you want something very dramatic, action-packed, or revolutionary. This is more historically informative than drama/relationship driven.

See it if a three hour lackluster show that lacks depth, substance, and finesse inside a moldy theater with one or two good songs sounds good to you

Don't see it if you are used to better off-broadway production values and productions. Go see a musical at The York.

Also The music for this show really needs a full orchestra and not a dinky piano and synthesizer. There are a couple good songs but most blend together. Lyrics are painfully direct - this show is all about telling with little showing. Some of the singers were very talented (esp those who played Frederick and Caroline). The rest of the singers -while talented - lost power without mics.... Read more Read less

See it if you would enjoy an aesthetically pleasing production that is dreamlike and well-acted, if somewhat bizarre.

Don't see it if you expect a very traditional take on this play.

See it if you want to hear Meatloaf songs performed by exceptional singers with tons of energy and verve and expect a hammed up, ridiculous story

Don't see it if you expect to take the show seriously. I loved laughing at the ridiculous plot/dialogue and felt the show intended us to do so.

Also The melodrama of the acting/dialogue worked perfectly, given that the show is an homage to Meatloaf. Singing was amazing.... Read more Read less

See it if you like strongly-acted, character-driven plays that touch on a variety of personal and political issues

Don't see it if you expect huge twists, reveals, or a ton of action.

Also Surprised by all the negative reviews! I thought this was worth seeing. I do wish the playwright had done a better job of filling us in on important details or events that transpired without resorting to using dialogue that transparently fulfilled only this purpose. (There are only a few moments of inauthentic dialogue, though. Most of it is believable and engaging.)... Read more Read less

See it if you like dark humor with well-drawn characters and sharp dialogue.

Don't see it if you can't tolerate any breaking of the 4th wall. Even if you normally can't, you might still like this.(Usually not my cuppa but it worked.)

See it if you have young kids; they seemed very entertained. You don't care whether there is chemistry between actors or dramatic tension.

Don't see it if you saw Around the World in 80 days in under 60 minutes (MN Fringe) or Irish Rep's 2008 production. This pales in comparison.

See it if You've never seen the crucible or haven't seen it in a while. It's a solid production

Don't see it if You don't want some uneven performances and pacing issues, especially in the first act. Want better staging; space didn't work well

See it if you are in the area and want to see an engaging performance

Don't see it if you are looking for something that really has a message; you want to understand and sympathize with character choices

Also Would have been better if relationship between the two women had been more genuine and developed.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy dark, fluffy shows with great singing and strong acting

Don't see it if you can't handle character decisions or plot elements that aren't entirely believable; you want something very unique

See it if you haven't seen any other muftis at the York so aren't expecting something up to their usual caliber

Don't see it if you were expecting a more polished mufti experienced, better singing from the male lead, better score/script, etc.

Also I am perfectly okay seeing old-fashioned, dated musicals with problematic script and story elements when viewed in today's society. However, they need to have some redeeming qualities! The score was forgettable and the acting/singing/general commitment to the performance was nowhere near what it's been in muftis like Subways are for Sleeping and Big. Not sure why the York has done this show three times!... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see some very strong vignettes. Even though these centered on societal themes, they were still very character-driven.

Don't see it if you don't like vignettes.

See it if you like revenge stories without fully realized characters. you like plays that keep you on your feet, confused about who to "root" for.

Don't see it if violence and brutality will ruin your evening; you want a play that really says something and digs deep.

See it if you value great story-telling and great acting and want a play that makes you think.

Don't see it if confusion about playwright's actual stance and motivations will bother you too much. still worth seeing though

Also surprised by all the low ratings. this play drew me in right away and kept me hooked until the end. Amazing acting and story-telling. But it did leave me wondering why levenson chose to equate activism and caring about the world with the dangers of extremism, especially when the vast majority of vietnam protesters were non-violent. this is made more confusing by the fact that both levenson and cullman emphasize the play's relevance to today's climate. We need activism more than ever right now and portraying it as so corruptible and pointless is an interesting choice given what is needed right now.... Read more Read less

See it if you like absurdity. you are okay not truly understanding the point/direction or are a Vonnegut whisperer. Great acting and hilarious moments

Don't see it if incredible displays of caricatured male brutishness will disturb you rather than amuse. you don't like dark humor

See it if you haven't seen Closer Than Ever. This is a similar concept but not nearly as resonant

Don't see it if you don't like musicals with no dialogue, you expect chemistry between the couple, you don't want to be bored in the middle of the show

See it if you like one-act plays, you appreciate great performances (plays 2 and 3), you enjoy realism with a hefty dose of the quirky and absurd

Don't see it if you want to be able to instantly understand the purpose behind each play; you don't like one-acts.

Also I'm seeing a lot of reviews that mention the 2nd play was the weakest. For the record, the 2nd play was my favorite - a fantastic performance by Deborah Rush.... Read more Read less

See it if you want an engaging and unique performance exploring scientific theories about consciousness

Don't see it if you are bothered when you don't have time to reflect and absorb before the next set of scientifically-dense lyrics hit you full speed

See it if you want to see a show with a lot of potential & an interesting premise, beautiful theater, beautiful stage & music

Don't see it if melodramatic and silly acting from some of the leads and dialogue/character decisions that are not always believable will ruin it for you.

Also The premise was interesting but the play didn't quite come together. It lost direction, believability, and power in the second act. It also felt repetitive in parts, circling around the same issue without truly moving forward. A different cast/director may have been able to fix some of these issues.... Read more Read less

See it if an interesting conversation that raises questions about guilt, purpose, and the criminal justice system appeals. This has potential.

Don't see it if weird staging choices, lack of chemistry between the two leads, stiff acting from the male, and a seemingly disconnected ending will ruin it

Also The female lead was very talented and the writing was pretty good overall. I think this may have been a better read than a performance, however, as the leads didn't quite connect and some of the lines (esp from the male) were delivered strangely and felt stiff/wooden. Initially, I thought it was an interesting exploration of the issues with the criminal justice system, witness testimony, etc. but the ending was very confusing and left me completely at a loss to what the playwright was trying to say. If anyone understood the ending, please enlighten me!... Read more Read less

See it if you like well-acted shows with captivating, fresh writing - deliciously funny and dark at the same time

Don't see it if references to addiction/trauma are triggering for you

See it if a wonderfully-acted story told in a unique and beautiful way appeals.

Don't see it if you have trouble understanding British accents or when there is overlapping speech/sounds. I missed some parts but very glad i went.

See it if you can't find the broadway album anywhere.

Don't see it if you like the musical Chess, have any musical background at all, or just have ears. I don't blame the cast, but the musical director.

Also The background music was really unpleasant and badly played. The singing was frequently out of sync with the background. The actors also really needed to be miked. The sound quality was muddy. Aside from this, the show had really odd pacing and lacked energy, emotion, and commitment. It felt like there was simply too much material for the production to handle and they were just trying to get through it without really being in it. Managed to take most of the emotion/build up out of the songs completely and there were very few moments where it felt like the actors were connecting with each other. Anatoly and Svetlana were very good, though.... Read more Read less