Alli F

See it if you like original musicals, you like new interpretations of Greek mythology, you like love stories

Don't see it if you don't like overly political shows

See it if you like character driven pieces, if you are interested in LGBTQ history/issues

Don't see it if you want plays that are strictly linear

See it if you like absurd humor

Don't see it if you don't like Shakespeare conspiracies

Also The show was funny enough at times, but tonally all over the place. The beginning of the second act really embraced the quirk, absurd humor that they mentioned in the advertisement, but that humor wasn't evenly distributed throughout the show.

They also had a lot of throw away lines referencing things that probably made more sense if you were really familiar with the Elizabethan literary scene. (The actors were also a little hard to understand sometimes with their accents).

This ended up being a show about "maybe Shakespeare didn't really write his plays", which I didn't realize before walking in. I'm not a fan of Shakespeare conspiracies, so I didn't really appreciate the play. Maybe it would be more fun for others who enjoy that.

On the plus side, the actors seemed like they were embracing their roles and having a lot of fun.... Read more Read less

See it if you like musical comedies, you like optimistic musicals or stories about characters becoming better people

Don't see it if you hate musical adaptations of movies on principle, you only like classic musicals

See it if you're interested in Holocaust stories, especially lesser told ones

Don't see it if you want something uplifting

Also The summary of the show says it's about a girl giving lessons to a commander so she can find her friend. This is actually just a small part of the show. The plot is more about life in Terezin camp, with a broader scope.

The playwright/director had obvious good intentions, but the show seemed weighed down by its own ambitions.

There were too many stories, and as a result, they weren't well developed. There were a lot of glaring gaps in logic. And some characters behaved in completely unbelievable ways, for seemingly no other reason than to advance the plot.

Some plots were dropped then picked up again much later, and there some awkward transitions. The staging was also a little confusing - there was some surreal elements, but they weren't done consistently, so when it was used, it was distracting.

There was so much going on it felt like this could have been broken down into several different shows. There were some interesting ideas and good moments, but it could use some refining... Read more Read less

See it if you like modern Shakespeare adaptations, you want to see a strong all female cast

Don't see it if you don't like Shakespeare, you only want classical staging of Shakespeare, you don't like more experimental theater

Also This was an entertaining production if a little uneven.

The staging was bold and clever. But sometimes the actresses would switch to another character, and it wasn't made clear enough that she was playing a different character (either from her physicality or the staging), and it got confusing.

And while I liked the fact that the adaptation was all female, they didn't change all the pronouns in the text? "Man" became "girl", but there were still "his" and "my lord"s all over the place, which was strange.

Also (semi spoiler?) Portia and Calpurnia were Brutus and Caear's "friends" and it was weird. Having them say "as your dear friend" instead of "wife" didn't carry the same punch; everyone in the play was close friends, so losing the romantic angle to differentiate that didn't quite work. Couldn't at least one of them have been a lesbian couple?

Overall though, I enjoyed this show. This was a strong, creative, and confident production featuring 6 talented actresses.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy vignettes; you enjoy one-woman shows

Don't see it if you prefer something plot driven; you're not a fan of one-woman shows

Also This show allowed Iris Bahr to take on multiple characters. The characters are all connected through a common acquaintance, and talk about their experiences with death and grief.

It offered some interesting perspectives on death and mourning, and there were some funny one-liners. But some of the characters went on for too long. Bahr did a great job with the physicality and voices of some of the characters. Some of them were less solid, and some of them felt like they existed merely as an acting exercise for Bahr, which isn't especially interesting to watch as an audience member.

If you enjoy one-man shows (I'll admit, I think there's only been one one-man show that I saw that I loved), you might enjoy this. There were some insightful nuggets, but overall it was pretty uneven.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to support indie theater; you want to see a modern take on a classic

Don't see it if you like the original text, or at least want to see a thoughtful treatment of a classic text

Also I was really excited to see a modern staging of Antigone, which I read in high school but had never seen performed.

I was very disappointed. While I applaud the effort and enthusiasm in rewriting Antigone (most of the play is new dialogue), it didn't work. It tried to be tongue-in-cheek with the narrators, who popped up to give us helpful reminders like 'remember, this is a tragedy'. The humor didn't quite land, and neither did the tragedy. Tonally, it was a mess.

The worst part was the story didn't work in the modern world presented. The setting is supposed to be a city ravaged by Antigone's disastrous family. But it felt like (from the way the characters dressed and talked) a modern Western city. Not war-ravaged at all

So it was bizarre to see characters behaving how we would in modern America one minute, then watch Antigone be sentenced to death for attempting to bury her brother the next. Because the rules of the world were poorly established, the stakes weren't believable... Read more Read less

See it if you are a Glenn Close fan, you like sweeping vintage scores, you enjoy large live orchestras accompanying musicals

Don't see it if you don't like melodramas that take themselves too seriously, you're going think critically (instead of just getting swept up in the hype)

Also Usually I'm pretty good at understanding why a show is good, even if it's not to my taste. The praise surrounding this show baffled me.

I thought Glenn Close was good, but she wasn't amazing, and it wasn't the performance of the century like reviews claimed. The audience was also the most obnoxious I've ever seen. Any time Close descended a staircase or in some cases, *gestured* dramatically, there was riotous applause. It was absurd and made me scrutinize her a lot more than I otherwise would have. It's not the show's fault, but it really detracted from the experience.

There are a few great songs, but the rest are mediocre. I expected more from Lloyd Weber. The plot is melodramatic, which usually I enjoy, but it took itself too seriously to be a fun melodrama, so it was just bad.

That being said, the production design was clever. The live orchestra was amazing. And Michael Xavier gives a truly phenomenal performance, and after seeing him, I'm shocked he wasn't nominated for a Tony.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see two Broadway legends perform. If you like stories about ambitious, intelligent women.

Don't see it if you want an in-depth biographical musical.

Also The performances really made this. Patti LuPone and Christine Ebersole were wonderful, as were the supporting cast members.

If only the material were a little stronger. The songs weren't very memorable. That's not to say they weren't enjoyable - I just didn't leave the theater humming any of them, or really remembering them at all.

Overall, I thought the show was a little shallow. They try to fit in decades of two women's lives into one show. They focused on both women equally, going through great pains to show the parallels between them. But by focusing on both women, I felt I didn't get to know either one beyond the surface level. I think that, ultimately was why I walked away a little disappointed. I couldn't really connect to either of the main characters.

That being said, there were some funny one-liners and some great moments, especially when they focused on the challenges of being a woman in a position of power.

An entertaining enough show, but not a great one.... Read more Read less

See it if you like feel good shows you like pie you like stories about women, and female friendship

Don't see it if you don't like more light-hearted musicals you want something with a huge sweeping score (this is more "pop" than classic Broadway)

Also I saw it twice with different people, with some cast changes in middle. Newer members just as wonderful as the original cast. Overall very sweet and heartwarming. Fantastic the first time, and while still enjoyable the second time, not one of those shows you can watch and notice something new each time. Definite crowd-pleaser. The two people I went to the show with liked it as well.... Read more Read less

See it if you like shows with with multiple timelines, you enjoy lovely dancing, you want to support original work, you like intimate show

Don't see it if you don't like shows that heavily feature infidelity, you want to see a large ensemble show

See it if you like Shakespeare, you like history, you like diverse casts

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

Also I saw Part I first night of previews, and was impressed with the cast. There were a few parts that needed to be tightened, but since it was first night of previews, and the cast was so committed, this didn't affect my overall enjoyment.

The Henry VI plays aren't as performed as much as some of the others, so I was excited to see these. I thought the cast was strong. The battle sequences were exhilarating, and I got caught up with Joan of Arc's story, even though I knew how it would end.

The production design was beautiful. I loved the color scheme, and the costumes were fantastic. Would recommend this show to any Shakespeare fans!... Read more Read less

See it if you adore Bernadette Peters, you like classic musicals (or are curious about them)

Don't see it if you don't like old fashioned musicals

Also I went and saw this musical because I wanted to see Bernadette Peters. (Victor Garber and Santino Fontana were the icing on the cake.) And see her I did! Peters was magnificent, as was the rest of the talented cast.

The musical itself...eh. It's not the type of musical I usually go for. It was charming enough, but a little dated. It was a solid production of a show that's starting to show its age. I didn't rush home to listen to the soundtrack, but I had an enjoyable enough evening, and am glad I saw it.... Read more Read less

See it if you like stories about families (especially immigrant families), want to laugh, want to see a little explored point of view

Don't see it if don't like comedy, want something super PC

Also Kim's Convenience is a hilarious show about a 1st generation Korean immigrant and his family. Mr.Kim runs a convenience store, and with gentrification looming, wonders what his legacy will be.

The women could have been explored a little more (especially the mother). But this was an earnest, funny show, with sharp humor, and poignant emotional moments.... Read more Read less

See it if you are interested in or want to learn more about the Jewish community and, you want something thought-provoking, you enjoy clever staging

Don't see it if you want something light-hearted

Also What a beautiful show. I didn't quite know what to expect when I went in, but I was blown away.

The actors were all phenomenal, and the staging was creative and absorbing. The story itself was really powerful, if a little darker than I anticipated, but an important one.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy unconventional love stories, you like small shows, you like innovative staging

Don't see it if you want a traditional musical w/ straightforward plot; you don't like when actors play their own instruments; you're a history purist

Also This was a delightful show, featuring a very talented cast of 2. It's a weird, whimsical love story of a woman and a dead explorer.

Overall it was a fun and quirky show. I felt Kat (the female lead) suffered a bit from uneven characterization, which made it hard to connect with her at times. Ernest was a little cartoonish as an explorer bursting with optimism and bravado, but it was oddly endearing.

The plot was also uneven and it faltered at times. The music though was fantastic -I loved all the songs and left the theater humming. When the show dipped a little in the middle, the music would save it, and reel the audience back in.

Overall, I enjoyed the show and am glad I went, even though I liked it, but didn't love it. It was a well...earnest production, and was unabashedly optimistic and sincere.... Read more Read less

See it if you like big, modern musicals; you want a feel-good musical

Don't see it if you're in the mood for something dark or serious; you prefer classic Broadway scores

Also Kinky Boots is such a joyous musical whose message is to accept others, and that by changing your mind, you can change the world, and who doesn't love that?

As far as how "kinky" it is, this is a pretty tame show despite the name.
(I'm imagining taking different conservative family members, and the drag queen culture might be niche enough that people not used to it might find it daring, but at the end of the day, it's not anything scandalous)

Kinky Boots is so relentlessly positive, that most people who watch it should have a pretty good time, and might come out with a new perspective!... Read more Read less

See it if you like relationship based dramas, you're interested in LGBTQ issues, you like intimate plays

Don't see it if you want something big and splashy, you are uncomfortable with frank talk about gender and sexuality

Also Very interesting play that showed a lot of different perspectives on some complicated issues. It was informative without being pedantic or preachy.

There were a few scenes that didn't quite click, and I personally thought the ending was rushed/forced, which took away from it. But overall, a very human play where you can understand where most of the characters are coming from and that will get you thinking.... Read more Read less

See it if you like feel-good musicals, quirky and off-beat stories, cute romances

Don't see it if you don't like romcoms, having an intermission is really important to you

Also I saw this with my sister. Amelie is one of her favorite movies, and I had never seen it before. We got rush tickets, and went in with lowered expectations because reviews were very mixed. We both loved the show, and left the theater in a great mood!

Phillippa Soo is a delight, and got to exercise her deft comedic skills, and Adam Chanler-Berat is a very likable love-interest that seems worthy of the titular heroine. (I hate it in romcoms when when half of the couple is very clearly settling for the other. This is not the case here). The ensemble was also very strong.

It's a very sweet, optimistic musical, so maybe that's not everyone's cup of tea. But if you're looking for a whimsical, feel-good musical, this is a great show to see!... Read more Read less

See it if you like intimate shows in immersive setting; the oral storytelling tradition, new takes on old classics

Don't see it if you hate immersive shows, or you don't like shows that are self-aware, if you or who you're going with have a hard time deciphering accents

Also Delightful gem of a show- see it while you still can! I had no idea what to expect when going in, as the ads were very vague, so I don't want to spoil anything. But it's a show about Scottish folklore tradition, so there is some narration as things happen. I liked it and thought it worked well given the subject matter, but I know it drives some people nuts.

Small but incredibly talented cast. (Side note- they all have Scottish accents, which are lovely, but sometimes hard to understand. I know if I took my grandma to see this, she might have a hard time understanding).

Overall a unique, beautiful show that was both was tense, haunting, fun, and had a sense of humor I wasn't expecting when I went in. The performance space was a fun environment too! I saw this show a week ago, and it keeps creeping back into my mind. Highly recommend.

note: Originally gave this a 94, but saw it twice more, and it deserves a 100. Wish it could have ran forever & loved every second of it, all 3 times!... Read more Read less

See it if you like daring new takes on old classics you want to try something completely different you want to see fantastic set design/staging

Don't see it if you hate when the fourth wall is broken

Also One of the best shows I've ever seen. Josh Groban and Denee Benton of course are the stars, and didn't disappoint in their Broadway debuts. But Brittain Ashford, Amber Gray, Lucas Steele, and Paul Pinto were all amazing in their parts. Everyone in the cast is incredible- they sing, dance, do astounding choreography, and even play instruments.
The story is pretty simple, but what makes this show so good are the moments when it explores its characters and their motives. Helene's "Charming" is thrillingly seductive, and Sonya's lament is beautifully sad. While not every character gets a huge solo, most of them get at least a few great lines in the larger group numbers.
The show is at times funny and heartbreaking. And the set- the set and clever choreography alone is worth the price of admission.
Worth seeing just so you can say you were there. I think this is a love it or hate it kind of show, and can see why it might be a bit much for some. I just happened to love it.... Read more Read less