banksdn

See it if You like insightful, clever, tuneful, profound musicals that are masterfully acted and smartly staged with a career high lead performance

Don't see it if You want all fluff with no quirkiness...or on a large scale.

See it if You want to be enchanted by the best dancing in town while learning a bit about Irving Berlin and his lesser known songs

Don't see it if You expect a plot ... this is a review...but a terrific one

See it if Interesting concept in search of a consistent style...sometimes comic...then serious...then spooky...pick one and stay with.

Don't see it if Vanity production? Wants to be 39 Steps. Not enough Dickens. Short but seems long. Weak ending.

See it if You want to be challenged by a moving, thoughtful production of a seldom done musical. Saw the standby Caroline and she was mesmerizing.

Don't see it if You are seeking old school song and dance

See it if You have dealt or are dealing with caring for an elderly relative...and enjoy Irish accents

Don't see it if You like your stories clearly linear or have a problem with accents

See it if You want to spend some time uncovering the lives of three generations of women...not unique or remarkable...but flawed like us all

Don't see it if You need action and flash.

See it if You are a fan of great storytelling by a master actor. Holds your attention through a wide range of intriguing characters

Don't see it if You don't care for single actor pieces

See it if You are a Diana completist...and already know the details.

Don't see it if You are expecting revelations about the princess or dramatic staging...this borders on camp.

See it if You want to see a stellar cast of actors share a story of politics and politicians with humor and drama. History is a verb.

Don't see it if You have no interest in politics and politicians

See it if You want a masterclass in subtle acting from a national treasure who brings depth and warmth to whatever she does

Don't see it if You are expecting a full scale production with multitudes of actors

See it if You want to explore the residue of genocide across generations with a 70s rock concert mixed in

Don't see it if You have no interest in politics and history or hate loud music

See it if You want to explore the story from the creature POV and enjoy two handers with most a one woman show

Don't see it if You expect dynamic pacing and a script with passion, this has neither sadly

See it if You want to see a masterful performance of a poem you probably won't understand fully, particularly if you haven't read it in advance

Don't see it if You like your theater in a more traditional mode

See it if You want to spend time with loving, caring Black men who happen to be gay and love barbeque, a mix of harsh language and smooth music

Don't see it if You have a problem with strong accents and gay humor

See it if You appreciate Kate Hamill's writing and performing, you'll like this one. Interesting approach to well known material .

Don't see it if You expect real horror and bloodletting. This is stylized and moving.

See it if You are interested in theater history and unknown works that deserve viewing

Don't see it if You are turned off by historical references and Irish accents

See it if You are a fan of multigenerational romance done by an exemplary cast, with music that makes your heart sing along

Don't see it if You are looking for broad comedy or hate musicals

See it if You are fan of original movie and enjoy Duncan Sheik music, talented cast

Don't see it if You are expecting large scale musical, this is mainly low key but entertaining.

See it if You enjoy teen age angst tales with fantasy appearances by Oscar winning actresses that are never truly explained

Don't see it if You expect a fully developed play but enjoy watching actors giving their best to make it work

See it if You want to see Shakespeare treated with care and heart combining romance and bawdy humor , by a cast who seem comfortable.

Don't see it if You can't sit through 2 1/2 hours of verse

See it if You are a fan of the Charles Busch style of theatrics , a bit Betty Davis , a bit Mae West; great costumes , great wigs.

Don't see it if You expect belly laughing or original scripting

See it if You relish original theatrical magic done with documentary precision, it is more engaging than I expected

Don't see it if Your MAGA hat is well worn and your tv set to Fox "news". This will upset you.

See it if You like Irish accents in a familiar story of forming a high school band with tones of Duran Duran and some family drama

Don't see it if You expect fully developed characters and memorable tunes

See it if You want to delight in a stunning production of a lesser known comedy from 19th century in an intimate off Broadway setting

Don't see it if You have trouble with accents or period pieces

See it if You like your Shakespeare abridged and condensed to the point of incomprehension

Don't see it if You are not familiar with the play already , otherwise you will find it impossible to follow

See it if You are an Iconis completist , like girl groups, women's prison movies , and bright , young talent

Don't see it if You need male voices and intricate rhymes

See it if You want your musicals to be challenging and important . Reminded me of Dead Man Walking but without the gore.

Don't see it if You expect comedy.

See it if You relish spending time being an observer of human behavior among an intriguing array of people. The Apple's neighbors .

Don't see it if You prefer heavy plotting and all questions to be answered

See it if You are a Foote completist and missed this one earlier when it must have worked better and won the Pulitzer .

Don't see it if You become impatient with over acting or expect consistent styles from all actors. What may have been daring 25 yrs ago seems flat.

See it if You a fan of ADS and her style of oral history drama, even when she is not actually on stage . This play is still powerful .

Don't see it if You expect to see Anna Devere Smith or a traditionally cast play .

Also I was worried that the play would seem dated and odd without the remarkable Ms Smith . I should have trusted that she would not have agreed to Signature producing it without a stirring production that will only get better as the actor becomes more comfortable with all the characters .... Read more Read less

See it if You are a fan of reduced cast productions of classic plays, this has only 5 actors

Don't see it if You expect Rostand, this adaptation bounces between comedy and drama awkwardly , don't expect Fiasco or Bedlam .

See it if You want a masterclass in acting from 2 of the best , they make you care even when the play may have left you confused

Don't see it if You need all points made clear and no questions left to answer

See it if You like Shakespeare history plays, but with American protagonists . ..and no attempt at poetry

Don't see it if You have no affinity for history or have a limited attention span .

See it if You like your theater to make you think and not spoon feed all the answers, just more questions .

Don't see it if You want traditional chronology.

Also Tesori writes beautifully for a large orchestra and the producers have provided one. Wish they had left the back wall open throughout the show so we could see them.... Read more Read less

See it if You have ever wondered what actors are actually thinking while auditioning . Is Shakespeare still relevant ? Short answer..yes.

Don't see it if You have no patience for actors and/or Shakespeare , but in that case you wouldn't have come to this show at all.

Also Actors who write and perform their own shows are sometimes vanity indulgences. This one is a delightful , thoughtful exception .... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy contemplating the intricate battle between faith and redemption in a historic setting

Don't see it if You expect action and comic relief . This is a true story with nothing light going on . Expect to be challenged and moved.

See it if Want to delve into back story of music and musicians , told in a well paced production by a talented group

Don't see it if You like large proscenium theaters and are looking for romance or dancing

See it if You are a fan of book and don't mind adaptation , liked Hammils other works

Don't see it if You're expecting Austen humor or pace, this is darker and slow...crying out for some comedy or light...but that's not Alcott.

See it if You enjoy traditional musical comedy with mostly forgettable music but a few sure fire laughs. If you like The play that goes wrong

Don't see it if You want depth and character development

See it if You want a unique experience in musical theater combining discussion of digital dependence and glorious a capella singing

Don't see it if You want traditional music and comedy, this way too realistic for you

See it if You appreciate Shepard's take on the downfall of the American dream, this done with more humor than usual . And there's a lamb.

Don't see it if You want a traditional comedy or need to be done in under 90 minutes . This is more like 150.

See it if You want to combine theater and Intro to Philosophy in a way that is more engaging than college ever was

Don't see it if You need action without being expected to listen carefully and think...but still be entertained

See it if You want to see 2 stellar actresses working hard to make an uneven play make sense...and almost successful

Don't see it if You don't care for show tune references mixed with dysfunctional family tumult

See it if you want to see a great Irish play done by an exemplary cast in an intimate, effective setting...and MA Plunkett is stunning

Don't see it if you hate accents and heavy plays about the tolls of war and independence

See it if You want to get lost in the life of one of America's greatest poets as portrayed by a terrific actress who commands the stage

Don't see it if You hate one person shows, poetry, or thoughtful prose

See it if You relish the combo of exciting staging, fine acting, and a story that makes you laugh and think hard about recent history . Go!

Don't see it if You have no interest in the state of journalism or how it got to today's condition

See it if You are a fan of the movie or quirky family relationship plays like Next to Normal, Bryce Pinkham is charming

Don't see it if You only like musical comedy, this is more drama with music

See it if You are a fan of personal vignettes ala Anna Devere Smith, this time about immigration and border policies .

Don't see it if You expect flow and dramatic momentum , this needs more variety and dimension

See it if A respectable production of an American classic with a luminous Benning at the center , you can't take your eyes off her

Don't see it if You are looking for new insights into Miller , this offers nothing unexpected