Biff 7054

See it if ... if you'd like to see an intelligently directed and mostly well-acted off-off-Broadway production of FOLLIES.

Don't see it if ... if you dislike FOLLIES or feel that you would be put off by a production that didn't have Broadway resources (i.e., money).

See it if ...you like Eugene O'Neill, classic 20th century American drama, long plays

Don't see it if ...you don't like serious plays or long plays

See it if If you're in the mood for a little raunchy humor.

Don't see it if If you don't enjoy the average SNL sketch.

See it if ...you haven't already

Don't see it if ... if you don't like cynicism or satire

Also The popularity of this inexpensive revival is a bit surprising... though I suppose when you don't have a set or any period costumes your weekly nut is relatively small.

CHICAGO is a terrific musical, unfortunately this overrated revival gives no sense of time or place and I'm afraid has become a model on how to present a musical on the cheap. Of course the score is still there, and Ann Reinking's choreography in the "Fosse style" is very entertaining; but about the best I can say for the revival is that it's better than the movie. I hope someday to see a true revival of the show: one that honors the original subtitle "A Musical Vaudeville."... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a Hollywood star give a great performance on stage; ...you like Eugene O'Neill; ...you like classic American drama

Don't see it if you don't enjoy serious drama or very long plays

Also I have seen three other major New York productions of THE ICEMAN COMETH and this new staging holds up well next to the others.

At 3 hours and 50 minutes (including 2 intermissions, plus a brief break) this is not an uncut ICEMAN, still, I noticed very few omissions until the 4th act.

I attended a preview performance and I felt that at that point, Washington hadn't quite conquered Hickey's famous monologue; but his performance in the first three acts is magnificent. He brought a stylized - almost choreographed - physicality to the role that fit his character (a "mad" salesman) perfectly. I suspect strongly that by opening night his characterization will be complete and that he'll handle his final half-hour with aplomb. Washington is not a movie star slumming, he's an actor showing total commitment to his role. I was very impressed!... Read more Read less

See it if ... you can stomach directorial interference with one of the greatest musicals ever written. If you want to hear this R&H score well sung!

Don't see it if ... you're bothered by cuts and changes made to classic material.

See it if If you enjoy the British mega-musical.

Don't see it if If you value substance over stagecraft.

See it if ... you love Sondheim and/or SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE ... you love a star performance

Don't see it if ... you don't like Sondheim, or this particular show ... if you want a light entertainment ... if you want a rock music experience

Also Jake Gyllenhaal and Annaleigh Ashford were as good as the reports from last October's concert indicated. Gyllenhaal has managed to fuse the two Georges so that for the first time I believed that 20th century George is an extension of his 19th century counterpart. The result is that when George and Dot finally "connect" near the end of Act 2, it is as poignant and meaningful as anything I've experienced in a musical.

Unfortunately the costume and scenic design bothered me. A show that is about, among other things, color and light, should not have a black and blue palette. I never felt that I was inside the painting, and this undercuts the first act finale. The sound, however, does mitigate (somewhat) the scenic and costume designs' shortcomings. The orchestra and ensemble harmonies shimmered and provided the emotional release we crave.... Read more Read less