AliceG

See it if intense, fast-paced depiction of a family of black women; stages of a black woman's life as she struggles for happiness; stellar acting

Don't see it if you don't like family dramas, depictions of real life experiences; lots of shouting at the beginning, would have liked more joyful moments

See it if this bright, non-stop show packs a punch; not your mom's juke-box musical (although she'd probably love it); best-of-Bway singing, staging

Don't see it if you find Morissette annoying or dated; don't want topicality in your musicals. Topics incl. overdose, rape, but not graphic (it's a musical)

See it if you like David Byrne, enjoy concert-like theater, beautiful staging, great music

Don't see it if If you really don't like Byrne, of course. If you only want musical theater that tells a story

See it if powerfully portrayed true story of an act of violence between gay men; gorgeous staging; astonishing acting; beautifully realized

Don't see it if you're triggered by rape, although very well foreshadowed; can't do cigarette smoke or flashing lights (not strobe); hate subtitles (German)

Also The first ten minutes or so are tough after a long day looking at the computer, given bright lights, screens, subtitles, but suddenly the play is almost over. First time I've seen a two-hour play w/out intermission without looking at my watch once. Truly beautiful and astonishing performances, I want to call out every individual, even the percussionist whom I kept suddenly remembering was there because the beat or the piano or the cymbals were so perfectly apt. The moments of violation were hard to watch but not dwelled on. The lead was so convincing that I wanted to hug him after.... Read more Read less

See it if you love great singing and dancing; serious talent on stage, want to laugh at a great bad guy and have your jaw drop when the leads belt out

Don't see it if you want a compelling story arc and appropriate tension or meaning. The end quickly becomes obvious and then depressing/pointless

Also Too much of the show is sung rather than acted, esp early on, so the audience has to listen hard not to miss any plot points. Also, a big opportunity is missed here to make a point about black men and wrongful imprisonment. That theme is very clearly not a part of this play, esp given they swap the leads (one black, one white) on different nights. So then, what's the point? Lots still missing here -- but great potential.... Read more Read less

See it if Absolutely explosive mother-son dialog, heartfelt exploration of family dynamics, outstanding acting on all 4 counts

Don't see it if You don’t want to watch a very real family drama, with all its concomitant pain and sorrow

Also Let’s hope this play has another life after La MaMa

See it if You’d like to sit outside and watch young actors throw themselves into the messy wackiness of a Wellman play about a road to hell thru NYC

Don't see it if You want clarity or a traditional play. It’s not Hadestown (although there is some singing!)

See it if the previews are over; on the 6th night of previews, play clearly unfinished, discordant, confusing. Fingers crossed for the next 2 weeks.

Don't see it if Play attempts to create a window into conservative Catholic thinking; characters believable; acting stellar; overall effect numbing/annoying

See it if You’re obsessed with Meatloaf’s music and just want to hear some great voices belting it out. The cast is so talented, kind of wasted here

Don't see it if You want a plot, great staging, anything serious, or good choreography. We did have fun though! Get cheap tickets & go for the music

See it if the "cafe", created for the show, is lovely; the food is plentiful (picnic style); the actors lively and hardworking; we laughed a lot

Don't see it if the show itself offers nothing new to Midsummer fans despite talented 3rd Rail crew; no deeply immersive twists/turns like Then She Fell

Also Still in previews and staff taking notes, so there's still hope that 3rd Rail will be able to work their usual magic here. Right now the show isn't fully immersive, we're supposed to be at a Midsummer dinner (wedding feast?) but no wedding in sight, no conceit carried through start to finish. Even when champagne is poured at the end we never have a toast to the brides and grooms (missed opportunity), and we're never specifically included as an audience in whatever dinner it is (a la Grand Paradise), another missed opportunity, so honestly it feels more like really fun dinner theater than the truly immersive, magical experience I'd hoped for... Read more Read less

See it if There is one crazy amazing idea at the heart of this show, and it works. It shocks, it surprises, and it teaches an important lesson

Don't see it if Unfortunately, the show goes too far, giving in to angry yelling and later, lecturing, where subtlety would have had more impact

See it if Full-on Bway-style musical about a queer black character who's writing a musical while full of self-loathing, demeaned by religious parents

Don't see it if Show is raw, out there, sometimes so personal it's hard to watch; not for young kids. But powerful, groundbreaking stuff and the lead is A++

See it if you'd enjoy seeing this classic work set to music by an outstanding team and sung by some serious vocal talent; this show is full of heart.

Don't see it if you dislike plays about race or can't bear for anyone to touch the classic story, although this is truly a loving adaptation

Also Saw this is previews with a talk back from the outstanding creative team; they admit they will be adapting and perfecting it right up to opening night. This means that I need to see it again. And maybe again.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to be mesmerized by Adam Driver's performance. I didn't think I liked him especially; now a huge fan. Great writing, great cast

Don't see it if It's hard for the other actors to compete with Driver's outsize role; the play can feel unbalanced as a result (dull when he's not there)

See it if you'd like a one-man comedy show with great props; if you travel a lot

Don't see it if You only like fully sketched out plays with complete story arch and a full cast. This is a very funny one-man show

See it if you want to witness several truly great performances of well-written/believable dialogue; three leads all outstanding

Don't see it if you want life-changing; this is a moment in time, just before Obama's election. No lessons, moral or story arch; a bit pointless

See it if You’d like a very realistic slice of life with characters you’ll recognize. Many laugh-out-loud moments. Great dialogue.But no real ending.

Don't see it if The play steadily establishes its characters, building tension like Wolves & Miles for Mary, then fizzles out. Truly a lost opportunity

Also The characters are reversed from what they would have been in the ‘70s, and it takes much of the punch out of the play. I would have thought more about what the 70s were really like, then used that to build more tension.... Read more Read less

See it if There are some beautiful moments here, some great dialog, and the cast is really outstanding, plus Cumming sings; if that's enough, go.

Don't see it if First two acts, lots of laughs and outrageousness, moves nicely, but third scene tries too late to turn the ship, crashes badly

Also While sparks of genius fly throughout, the play badly needs a strong editing hand to cut repetition, build the right momentum, and foreshadow what's coming. Some super weird moments in the third act didn't help (the endless thumb sucking and the loudly ringing phone --extremely annoying and unnecessary). This could be a great play someday when rewritten by a more mature (post-Slave-Play) Jeremy O.Harris.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy beautiful singing and dance; this is a joyful, enchanting show, with great talent onstage & magical stagecraft

Don't see it if You don't like music-and-dance-focused pieces, prefer dramas/serious thought pieces, although there is a lot to think about here

See it if You’d like to be carried away to London, Scotland, and over the ocean to Appalachia. This tiny show feels as big as the world

Don't see it if You need linear shows, don’t want to hear diverse opinions, or can’t handle a full range of powerful emotions onstage

Also The three actors take on their roles so fully it’s as if they’ve stepped into their characters’ souls. While the storyline is at times confusing, I was carried along happily right to the end, with lots of help from three very talented musicians... Read more Read less

See it if You’ve followed Van Halen over the years and would enjoy talented actresses acting out the highlights, with some recorded music & no singing

Don't see it if You haven’t followed the band’s antics. I would have preferred a mash-up of acting, videos, lip synching, to break up the story

See it if you love the theater, the pure joy of seeing 2 great actors burning their way through a thoughtful and relevant script; you want 2b moved

Don't see it if your theater has to hit you in the face with lights, song, dance; this one is pure poetry

See it if You’re happy to hear some good songs in lovely voices and strong acting; not really a musical, unfortunately

Don't see it if You’re hoping for a powerful musical with show-stopping or original numbers; very much like a black Glee episode with a gay rights theme

Also Hate to be down on this. Some lovely moments, beautiful voices, but several plot holes and unexplained behaviors. Stereotyped gay vs homophobe confrontation lacked subtlety and nuance. Too many “why”s at the end.... Read more Read less

See it if you're obsessed with the story of Reality Winner and need to see her arrest acted out minute by minute

Don't see it if you're hoping for any insights at all. The (excellent) actors literally just walk through the arrest transcript, censorship included.

Also So much could be done with the story of Reality Winner, from the reasons for her transgression to why she took a plea to what it all means for society today. This show makes no effort to do any of that. If you're interested, just read the transcript, which is in the public domain (censored, but so is the show). There is no creativity here and the show is hard to watch. It's especially puzzling that the creators didn't fill in the censored parts of the transcript -- maybe breaking the fourth wall to explain the issues -- since it's all public now. A wasted opportunity.... Read more Read less

See it if It seems the Times and I saw very different plays. I found the first part a bit silly, while the rest pulled me in completely

Don't see it if you need perfection; the tone in the first act needs work, as we take the women seriously one minute and not the next. Still, enchanting.

See it if Lively, original (when written), camp musical with fun plot surprises if you haven’t seen the movie or play before. Solid cast (Glick esp)

Don't see it if Tickets overpriced due to name stars. Written years ago and not a word has changed. Refs to 60s TV, only black roles are chorus

Also It was a great little play in its day. If you’re going to revive it, why not modernize, shake it up, give a lead to one of those amazing black chorus members, dump outdated references. I get that it’s a camp icon but does that mean it can’t change? Get Ivo Van Hove in here, lol... Read more Read less

See it if A bold and beautifully acted retelling of the classic bloody tale of betrayal and it’s terrible repercussions; not that graphic, but intense

Don't see it if You want something lighthearted. Don’t sit near the front, lights are v bright and video harder to see ; go for back orchestra or balcony

See it if You loved Network, very video-heavy productions, want to see what the hype’s about. Great dancing + singing + outstanding cast

Don't see it if You get carsick; constantly moving video behind the actors distracting and annoying. Sometimes additive, even genius, but v often too much

Also Look, this is a very strong production, if you can ignore the overuse of video. And sometimes, when the video stops and the rain begins, there's magic. Van Hove knows his way around the stage. I loved the new choreography. The cast is outstanding. But this was often like watching my favorite show on my phone while the kids channel surf on the TV. And worse, the actors are often out of sight in a room, while someone films them for us. Maybe that was appropriate in Network; here, it just grates. I wish I could give the show two ratings: 94 for the production on stage, 30 for the staging.... Read more Read less

See it if The most natural dialog since Delillo’s White Noise; gorgeous piece of writing and acting exploring repressed ‘80s lesbianism seeking escape

Don't see it if You need high action and can’t sit back and steep in the play’s gorgeous writing and acting as two women try to understand their feelings

Also It’s good to know going in what the play is about. The elephant in the room is, of course, the women’s’ repressed sexuality, which is then actually embodied in the room by a new friend — someone who is clearly out and ready to talk about it - if anyone is ready to listen.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy dark, joyless, apocalyptic settings and experiences. Tried hard to find meaning at any level and failed

Don't see it if you don't want to have to see a really good actor stuck in a cage in a distracting fur suit

Also Honestly I love this theater and there must be some reason they put on this poorly written play. Wish I could have discovered it.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to learn some NY history, lost someone to AIDS, can be a patient listener, want a moving stroll to the AIDS memorial at the end

Don't see it if You want a traditional storyline. Play is overlong here and there. They count out 9 novenas one by one; by 4, we were checking our watches

See it if You’re interested in a work that explores women’s roles & portrayals in history (great Hemingway wives sketch) in funny unusual ways

Don't see it if Not really a play. Three sketches, the third of which was more a pep talk for women. Never comes full circle (though tries to)

Also I love anything that highlights women in history and anything that encourages them to succeed, as this does. But in the end it felt unfinished.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to be truly touched by a story of children abandoned by their mother and caring for each other for a few hours, days? rings true

Don't see it if Some r saying don't see it if triggered by abandonment; but I disagree. I was on aisle & ready in case but its cathartic, beautiful, moving

See it if You want to experience a young woman’s study of suicide and its aftermath, profoundly well-acted and beautifully thought through

Don't see it if You have lost someone to suicide, this will be too painful; have epilepsy (flashing lights). There are trigger warnings for good reasons

See it if You’re interested in well-told memoirs, storytelling, thoughtful musical excursions into the past. A really beautiful, honest show

Don't see it if You dislike one-man shows, need a full cast and big Broadway show

See it if You like to see works in progress, thoughtful narratives. Much good here, talented actors/dancers

Don't see it if The play is based on a true story and the playwright has put his heart into it, but I needed to know exactly what happened & what came after

Also Several really lovely morsels here: a fabulous dance, a heartwarming home movie, a monologue that reveals why we see what we see, and a beautiful set design. I hope they keep working on it and we see a new iteration soon... Read more Read less

See it if As usual, Dave Malloy is exploring new territory in subject and in song. A funny, sad, thought-provoking musical about Internet obsessions

Don't see it if you're really triggered by addiction stories, I suppose. Malloy really makes you think about the amount of time we spend online these days

See it if you'll be blown right out of the audience by Murphy's performance, the lighting, the sound, the grief.. then reeled back in

Don't see it if you are triggered by death, lost someone recently (unless you want to sob uncontrollably); can't bear loud, repeated noises

See it if you love jazz, love New Orleans, want to learn more about the history of both

Don't see it if you want a fully developed musical; play is many small pieces stitched together

See it if you love what small theater can do; powerful message and powerful humor combined; several great plot twists

Don't see it if you are already complete stressed out about climate change, I guess; there's a serious message here, despite the laughter

Also A really well done and surprising play. Had no idea what to expect and just loved it.... Read more Read less

See it if You’re ready to explore race, slavery, white privilege, & stereotypes; to be uncomfortable, to be angry; to be confused; to think.

Don't see it if You’re not ready to do the above. You want to just relax at the theater. Diggs suppresses his joyful musicality here, going to a dark place

See it if you're willing to laugh/cry at yourself and others while wanting to scream/cry about the world we live in; this is true theater, a must see

Don't see it if you need linear, simple, uncontroversial theater; if you'd rather see Carol King, The Musical; you don't want to face today's race realities

Also Imagine if God (or a racist president) told Noah (or the fabulous Peaches) to gather together all people of color in the US, no matter their wealth, status, gender, jail time, or reality show success, and put them on a plane to Africa. Now. Plane's leaving, honey. What, you don't want to go? You don't really feel 'black'? Your ancestors didn't even come from Africa? Or... you're afraid? Tough luck, honey, Peaches is calling, you'd better get on that plane.. or only Peaches knows what will happen next.... Read more Read less

See it if Three talented men sing the words to an old album of black men singing on chain gangs in the south; a brief narrative, lovely music, moving

Don't see it if you want a play or any expansion on the story behind the album or what it means today. They just sing the album. Could've been much more.

Also Show-score should not be mixing the reviews from the earlier, intimate, and I assume less expensive production in 2017 and the current production. It does make a difference that the tickets were $50 and the venue much bigger. This was a lovely idea and well presented, but not appropriate for a big venue when the audience is expecting much more and many are further from the stage. Several people around me nodded off. In contrast, I'd have been very happy if I'd paid $25 in a little off-off-Broadway theater like the Wild Project or NYTW Next Door and seen this. It's a lovely small-theater piece that didn't make the transition, at least for me... Read more Read less

See it if You love theater that challenges you. Show explores Japanese culture from a Japanese-American POV, hitting all the cultural highlights

Don't see it if You’re triggered by the title. No one commits suicide in the show. but suicide is referenced. Also if you only like trad stories/ messages.

Also Impossible to explain this show, and yet it sits in my brain like a beautifully wrapped package. Especially loved the Japanese serou (goats) at the end, honoring and respecting the dead, and the very real mother-daughter relationship.... Read more Read less

See it if You have a cheap ticket: there are elements of a good play here - dance, folklore, a moral - but it’s like someone took scissors to it

Don't see it if You want coherence, a sensible plot line or ending; you don’t want to be hit over the head repeatedly with the play’s purported moral

Also The play teases with possibilities. The program asks for audience participation, and my audience was ready! But after one or two moments, that vanishes. Then it seems we have a cute morality tale. Except the people we’re supposed to sympathize with are all unlikeable; only the boyfriend and the cellphone (tangential characters) have any appeal. Then it’s a thriller. Then an African fable. Then the bad guy (gal) we hate becomes the person we’re supposed to have sympathized with all along. And even the core theme of the play doesn’t hold up because the “ugly” lead isn’t ugly at all. Not even close. It’s odd, but it’s as if the play were written by committee... Read more Read less

See it if you love B'way, tap dancing, great singing. Worth going just for O'Hara's "I Hate Men" & her fights with Chase's character, priceless

Don't see it if Look, this show is really cheesy, it's dated, it's thematically challenged, and you won't learn much, that's just "Kiss Me, Kate"

Also Some bits were overlong and the show has not been successfully updated like My Fair Lady; but the chemistry and sparring between O'Hara and Chase are beautiful. Both super talented and full of life, a joy to watch. And the dance sequence (Too Darn Hot) is stunning; there's incredible dance talent on this stage... Read more Read less

See it if you don't want to miss a stellar performance by Cranston, despite a loud, TV-screen-filled production with odd swings in tone

Don't see it if you don't want to watch a lot of TV; there are many screens and much of the time the actors play to the cameras, not the audience

Also The show is fun and loud, and Cranston gives it his all. But there are odd changes in tone, unexplained swings in the main character's behavior, and the switch in his message at the end is odd and scarcely explained, leaving the show feeling pointless in the end... Read more Read less

See it if you have any interest in women's rights, our government, the constitution. But this is not a play, more a presentation of events and ideas

Don't see it if you want a light, upbeat show; you don't want to learn; you hate women (I guess) :)

Also Lots of triggers here around sexual assault. If that's you, come anyway, but sit in the back by the exit. One woman left during the show at a triggering moment. From the front row. And forgot her jacket and had to come back.... Read more Read less

See it if you'd enjoy three fine actors engaged in a taught family drama; this kind of a "Get Out" for women in a bad marriage

Don't see it if you're triggered by domestic abuse, or you want a political message for our times. It's a good, tight play and the acting is lovely