BRUCE F 7160

See it if you enjoy plays about the effect that parents have on their children.

Don't see it if you want to see a musical or want to see a play with a satisfying resolution.

Also I really liked the first half of this play. The four children were fantastic. Superb acting. And the writing was wonderful too. The playwright really captured how impressionable children are to their parents' actions. But the second half was disappointing. The big secret seemed to be contrived and, for me, the payoff just wasn't there.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a musical with great music or enjoy very offbeat musicals.

Don't see it if you want to see a light musical comedy.

Also The music is the best thing about this show. The lyrics, not so much. There are two stories going on here--one about a faith healer who has come to the U.S. from the Philippines to restore his reputation and one about the faith healer's grandson who has come too and decides that he wants to stay in the U.S. even though he would be undocumented. I really don't know why the first story is being told and didn't see how it relates to the second story. The immigration story is much more interesting but has much less time devoted to it. Also the show runs close to 2 hours without an intermission and is way too long. The performances were all good (including the supporting actors) but I didn't find anyone outstanding although everyone was giving it his/her all.... Read more Read less

See it if you like plays that address controversial issues--in this case homophobia and the relation between church and homosexuality.

Don't see it if plays about homosexuality bother you.

Also Although the play is set in Uganda, the issues that the play addresses are much more universal. Homophobia exists all around the world (even in the U.S.) The acting is outstanding. There is a lot to digest here.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a classic play that's been transformed to modern day and deals with the immigrant experience.

Don't see it if you want to see a light play or musical. This play is very funny in the beginning but becomes very intense toward the end.

Also The play deals with the immigrant experience using the classic story of Medea. Great acting by all and a very well written play. There are several monologues by Medea that explain how she and her family came from Mexico to the U.S. that are particularly moving.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a completely new interpretation of a classic American musical.

Don't see it if you want to see a traditional production of Oklahoma!

Also For the first three quarters or so of the first act, I thought that what I was seeing was a pared down version of Oklahoma! I was enjoying it immensely. The staging, performances (for the most part) and singing (for the most part) were all excellent. Then, with the scene in the smokehouse, which is done completely in the dark, I started to change my mind. This odd staging continued with the camera man in the scene, the ballet at the beginning of the second act and the second scene performed completely in the dark. I honestly do not know what the director was trying to say. I thought the fact that Judd is sympathetic was an interesting take. Damon Daunno, James Davis and Ali Stroker all excellent. Rebecca Naomi Jones was awful. I mostly had a very good time, enjoyed hearing the score and thought that the staging was interesting. But...... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see two masterful actors in a beautifully written play.

Don't see it if you want to see a musical or don't like plays about relationships with just two characters.

Also The play is beautifully written...almost poetic at times. Two criticisms. I would have been very happy if the play had ended after the first act. I found the second act to be a bit repetitious. Audra McDonald seems to be speaking much as she did in Lady Day At Emerson's Bar and Grill. Nevertheless, a treat to see these two fine actors on stage.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy plays where something from the past is dramatized to illuminate something in our society today.

Don't see it if you don't like plays where you have to think about why you are seeing what you're seeing on the stage.

Also This is not a play just about the newspaper business in 1969 U.K. It is staged (direction, sets, lighting) and acted beautifully. My only criticism is that when it was all over, the play left me cold. The characters are not likeable. Maybe that's part of the point.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy plays which develop characters very well or you want to see a play with a very famous actress.

Don't see it if you want to see a very deep meaning play or a musical.

Also The play is thin and is really a character study of Lorraine played by Susan Sarandon. She is very good as are Marin Ireland and Nico Santos. It is also very funny.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a musical with a relevant LBGTQ story with characters who are stereotypes/caricatures.

Don't see it if you want to see a musical with fleshed out characters or if you are bothered by a musical with LGBTQ themes.

Also The first act is really horrible. The actors are acting way over the top. The characters are all stereotypes except for Emma and the principal. The second act is much better because the actors calm down quite a bit. The singing is quite good. The choreography is excellent. The sets look like something from a touring company or Summer stock. The ensemble is outstanding, working very hard.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see an excellent production of a classic musical with great performances, staging, choreography, lighting, costumes and sets.

Don't see it if you don't like old fashioned musicals or want to see a play.

Also Kelli O'Hara's voice is fabulous. Will Chase was out but his understudy was excellent. Only one criticism. Stephanie Styles (Lois Lane) has or uses a very squeaky voice for her character. It made it very difficult to understand all of the lyrics to Always True To You In My Fashion.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy great acting and staging and very funny plays.

Don't see it if you don't like slapstick comedy or plays with very difficult themes or seeing penises on the stage.

Also Even though I enjoyed the play a lot, I found it very difficult to understand exactly what the playwright was trying to say. Various reviewers have written about many different themes. I found that this play is a product of the Trump era in which we must find comedy in the face of much tragedy. But I'm sure that there's much more. The set is fabulous.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see great acting in a well written play. Adam Driver's performance is one of the best this theatre season.

Don't see it if you only like musicals. I really can't think of a reason not to see it.

Also As many critics have written already, in this play you must see Pale and Anna "burn" for each other despite their differences. You certainly see Pale wanting Anna but, until the very end, you don't see the underlying "burn" for Pale by Anna. To me this is a flaw with the direction. Brando Uranowitz was excellent.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy plays with LBGTQ themes.

Don't see it if you don't like plays with LBGTQ themes.

Also I found the play to be unfocused and am not sure what the playwright is trying to say. Or maybe he's saying too many things. This is a story about a Chinese/American gay man returning home to Hawaii from New York after a 10 year absence. But why did he return? It's not clear. He has memories of his mother who has died and he feels responsible. But why? There's his relationship with his sister and his father and how they have or have not come to terms with him being gay. There's a confusing relationship between his sister and her boyfriend. There are themes about maintaining the Chinese heritage/traditions. In the end, the man returns to New York but I couldn't figure out what/who has really changed. I found the acting to be acceptable (this was an early preview). Three cheers for the set designer.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see great acting especially by Isabelle Huppert.

Don't see it if you are bothered by plays about mental illness.

Also The play is a great character study of a woman with mental illness who becomes more unraveled as the play goes on. How much of what happens in the play is real versus imagined is not explained.... Read more Read less

See it if you like absurdist comedy.

Don't see it if you don't like absurdist comedy.

Also I loved the first scene between Eva and Sofia. Megan Hill was just fantastic in a very funny, absurdist scene. But then the men arrived on stage and I found none of it funny. Yes, I realize that it's absurdist. But it was just too stupid with the mispronounced words and the fact that they were totally mentally blocked. People around me were laughing like crazy. No thank you.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to hear a Sondheim score and a new take one what is considered to be a problematic book.

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

Also I am not astute enough to know what changes there are from production to production of this show. I enjoyed this one a lot and thought it was clever to have only six actors. It is a sad story.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a production of a classic Strindberg play.

Don't see it if you want to see good acting. You will wonder after seeing this play why it has the acclaim that it has.

Also A screeching, repetitious play. Some have said it is a precursor to Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? Don't compare The Dance Of Death with the brilliant writing/dialogue of Virginia Woolf. I just didn't get this at all. I have just seen my last Strindberg play.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see great acting, great staging and a thought provoking play.

Don't see it if I can't think of one reason not to see it. Oh, don't see it if you only like musicals.

Also Some of the best directing, staging, set design and lighting design that I've ever seen. Bryan Cranston's performance is one for the ages. The only criticism of the play that I have relates to the role of Max's wife, Louise. The scene with the two of them in which he confesses his infidelity seemed extraneous to me. I know it's in the movie and that Beatrice Straight won an Oscar for playing Louise. But here it just didn't work.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see three outstanding actors performing in a very funny and topical play.

Don't see it if you want to see heavy drama.

Also Loved the ending. It was the only possible outcome.

See it if you want to see a funny play about a 35 year old man with plenty of neuroses and issues.

Don't see it if you don't want to see another "coming out" play.

Also The play is way too long. It's 2 1/2 hours and needs to be cut. The main character has so many issues that I wouldn't know where to begin to describe them all (including weather issues--and he lives in Chicago!). Four of the five actors are excellent but Anne Newhall is doing the most awful imitation of Dorothy Loudon and Kristine Nielsen. Shrill doesn't begin to describe her performance. It's a good story, staged and acted well. But it needs to be tightened up. For example, why would Russell want to continue a relationship with Michael after the first or second meeting? Michael is a lot to handle. It's not clear what Russell sees in him.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a new way of presenting one of the great musicals. Fiddler On the Roof in Yiddish.

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

Also Can't say enough about how wonderful this production is. The performances are not to be believed as well as the staging. Theatre does not get any better than this.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a play that needs a lot of thought to understand. My friend hated it. I liked it a lot. Very complex.

Don't see it if you want to see a play with an easy theme. This one is very difficult but stick with it.

Also The play, in my opinion, is about acceptance. If you think that there's something wrong with Matt, you've missed the point. Several people whom I know who have seen the play didn't like it because they wanted more answers as to why Matt is the way he is. That's not the point. Just accept him.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a mindless musical that is fun.

Don't see it if you're looking for a deep and meaningful time at the theatre.

Also SPOILERS!!!

It was okay. Nothing deep. One of the most unmemorable scores that I’ve ever heard. All the music sounded the same. But it was fun. I thought that the sets were clever and I loved the lighting. The lighting? Yes, the lighting. Also some good performances especially the young kid who was brought into the band. I loved his rap songs. No dramatic tension. You knew where it was going and what was going to happen. The guy got the girl. All the guys got all the girls. Bart having sex with his best friend’s mother was truly crude. I thought that the ensemble was very good. Great voices.... Read more Read less

See it if you've never seen On A Clear Day on the stage and want to hear the score.

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

Also The story is bizarre. The performances are just okay. I realize that this is off Broadway but it's more like a college production. I missed the bigger orchestra and the characters (2 main ones) and songs (3) that were dropped. I'm a purist. What can I say?... Read more Read less

See it if you like well acted, funny family dramas with very relevant themes.

Don't see it if you don't like nudity on the stage even though it does not last very long.

Also Will Brittain and Eli Gelb are outstanding and need to be seen. The comedic timing is perfect.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy musicals with great spectacle, staging, lighting, sets, costumes and performances.

Don't see it if you don't like musicals. Otherwise, see it!

Also I loved the first act much more than the second. And that's not because the story became much more serious. Two scenes went on too long and it just seemed to have filler until the ending. However, there are so many wonderful things about this show. The songs are cleverly integrated into the book. The sets, lighting and costumes are spectacular. And so is the staging. The vocals of the three leads are outstanding and the supporting cast is excellent as well. Go and have a good time.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see an outstanding performance by a playwright/actor in a play about the difficulties that Black actors have in our culture.

Don't see it if you don't like one person plays or plays that are "preachy."

Also The play is about a Black actor who is auditioning for the lead in a production of Othello. The actor doesn't agree with the White director's "take" on the character of Othello. I know that theatre is a collaborative effort but the director is "king." If an actor doesn't like the director's interpretation then he shouldn't be in the play. So the premise of the play doesn't ring true. Other than that, the play does discuss the issues with Black actors having leading roles in classic plays. It is a bit repetitious. Loved Keith Hamilton Cobb's performance.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a light musical about teenage angst.

Don't see it if you want to see something very deep or want to see a play.

Also I enjoyed the first act and thought that the performances and singing were all really good. The second act is a train wreck. The score becomes repetitive and the book completely falls apart. Having not read the book that the show is based on, I have no idea if this follows that story. Will Roland and George Salazar were both excellent. Jason Tam is a lot of fun with his Keanu Reeves imitation.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a light musical with a very bizarre story that doesn't always make much sense.

Don't see it if you want to see a dramatic musical or straight play.

Also Cute is the best word to describe this musical. The lead actor, Andrew Mayer, is terrific. The lyrics to the songs are very clever. But the story doesn't make much sense. Spies and immigrants? There is definitely a political statement being made about immigrants in there somewhere.... Read more Read less

See it if you are interested in plays that address LGBTQ issues and modern day relationships.

Don't see it if you are do not like plays with LGBTQ themes.

Also Great writing, great acting. The play is about modern day relationships, how we create families and what constitutes love. The play is very well done and highly recommended.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see an outstanding production of a classic American play with great acting. We don't get to see All My Sons on Bway that often.

Don't see it if you want to see a comedy or a musical.

Also A truly great production (the set is amazing) of a great play by Arthur Miller. The acting is superb especially by Tracy Letts, Annette Bening and Benjamin Walker. At the performance that I attended, you could hear a pin drop during the entire show. No cell phones, no eating, no plastic bottles. We all seemed to be enraptured.... Read more Read less

See it if you like "message" plays about climate change written in a very creative and funny way.

Don't see it if you don't like message plays or want to see a musical.

Also The play is very clever with the various stories going on. However, towards the end, it becomes a polemic about climate change and hits you over the head with the message. It could have been done with more subtly. The set and staging were very good.... Read more Read less

See it if you like Shakespeare plays and want to see great acting.

Don't see it if you don't like Shakespeare or if you don't want to see a very disjointed production.

Also Glenda Jackson's performance as King Lear is astonishing. So is Ruth Wilson in a double role as Cordelia and the Fool. However the production made no sense to me. Why is the Duke Of Cornwall deaf (complete with sign language interpreter)? When does this take place? The costumes don't help answer that question nor does the set which is particularly bad especially in the second act. Some British accents, some American accents. Not sure what the director is trying to say. Still, we don't get to see King Lear staged that often.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy very funny musicals with outstanding performances and staging.

Don't see it if you don't like book musicals.

Also This might be the funniest show that I've ever seen. Santino Fontana's performance is not to be missed. All others in the cast are outstanding except for Lilli Cooper whose performance was very flat (or is it the character?). The score is not great nor is the choreography which is why I scored the show an "85" instead of something higher.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy plays with interesting ideas told in a very different and creative way.

Don't see it if you want to see a musical or something light.

Also The play is partly about coming to terms with death. There are many other topics which the playwright is dealing with--maybe too many. Some great acting. Some not such great acting. Some twists that you won't see coming.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see great acting. Laurie Matcalf's performance has to be seen.

Don't see it if you don't like plays about relationships and politics or if you only like musicals.

Also Honestly, I wasn't sure what the playwright was trying to say. There is certainly a theme about relationships and maybe a theme about the destiny of each human being. Great dialogue. Great acting by all.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a play about trust and love in a relationship told in an original way.

Don't see it if seeing anything related to BDSM bothers you.

Also Really good acting and set design. One criticism. Much of the play takes place on the top level of a two level set. Part of the playing area is covered by a scrim that you can see through so that you don't miss anything. I'm not sure why the scrim was there at all. Distracting. Take it down.... Read more Read less

See it if you like funny, quirky plays.

Don't see it if you want to see a heavy drama with big themes.

Also The story is indescribable since so many bizarre things happen. But, while it's fun during the performance, it doesn't add up to much and will be forgotten by the next day.... Read more Read less

See it if you are interested in plays about race relations and enjoy thought provoking plays that are well written, acted, staged and directed.

Don't see it if you enjoy lighter fare.

Also A beautifully written (especially the four monologues within the play) and extraordinarily well acted play that is three hours long and is so absorbing that you don't notice the amount of time. Daveed Diggs and Thomas Sadoski are giving performances that are not to be missed. This play is why we go to the theatre. Brilliant!... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see great acting in two very absorbing monologues.

Don't see it if you don't like one person shows or long monologues.

See it if you want to see two "stars" at their best. Ethan Hawke is one of our finest actors alive today. Paul Dano is terrific also.

Don't see it if you are going just to see a Shepard play. I didn't like it.

See it if you like to see classic plays reimagined and if you want to see great acting. It's a powerful play.

Don't see it if you are a purist or just like musicals.

Also I had a difficult time with the South African accents. Even though I got what was going on, I would have liked to have understood more of the lines. It's early in previews. Maybe something can be done.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see good acting.

Don't see it if you want to see a play with a satisfying ending. I have no idea what happened.

Also The play is in need of much clarification. We need much more information about what's going on with Wade. He's there because of abuse of prescription drugs. But it seems that he is over the addiction but still there. And why does Hern not like Wade? Alison is totally off the rails because of something in her past but we never find out what it is. Cole has mental problems. But why? In addition, the ending was totally baffling to me. I went to see the play because I happen to like Kyle Beltran a lot and he does not disappoint.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to hear Bob Dylan songs sung beautifully.

Don't see it if you don't want to be bored.

Also An extremely disappointing theatre experience. The play is fairly awful. It takes place during the depression in a boarding house and is depressing. I'm not sure why this story was told. Several stories going on and I wasn't engaged in any of them. I did not see how most of the songs fit the play. A wasted Marc Kudish. A wasted Stephen Bogardus. Luba Mason playing the drums? A fantastic performance by Sydney James Harcourt. The best thing about the show is the singing which is beautiful. Also why is it called Girl From the North Country? I just didn't get it.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see outstanding acting.

Don't see it if you don't like one person shows.

Also An acting tour de force. The play was good but not as good as the performance.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a play about acceptance and being true to yourself (as stated in the program) in a very different time.

Don't see it if you don't like gay themed plays and ones which require careful attention.

Also The British accents were definitely difficult to get used to. However, the stories (and there are several going on) are all relevant to us today even though the play takes place in 1953.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a world premier musical that has some very good elements including a very hard working cast.

Don't see it if you are bothered by an overly long show with some poor staging and a mediocre score.

Also The show is ambitious for sure. It is way too long at almost 3 hours including an intermission. The show has too many things going on. The portion of the show in which the group of friends try to become noticed (they're actors) by producing a web series and they introduce themselves to the web audience in songs should be cut entirely. It really has nothing to do with the main part of the show and contributes to the length considerably. There is too much of the story told by Alex directly to the audience. Show me. Don't tell me. The set is a disaster waiting to happen. There are 4 planks that are constantly being moved around the stage especially to get the actors from a lower stage to a higher stage or vice versa. In addition to being dangerous, the constant moving of the planks is very distracting. And the score. There are 22 songs not including reprises. I already said that some should be eliminated entirely. Some are very good but others not.... Read more Read less

See it if you like absorbing, relevant theatre with great acting.

Don't see it if you're looking to see a light play or musical.

Also A bit long at 1 hour and 45 minutes with no intermission but absorbing nonetheless. I hope that it has a future life. It needs to be seen.... Read more Read less

See it if you love new plays with outstanding writing, direction and acting.

Don't see it if you are looking to see Shakespeare's Richard III.

Also This is an outstanding play. It is so cleverly written and intelligent. What a great idea to reset Richard III to a high school. The actor who plays Richard is so outstanding that you won't believe what you're seeing on the stage. Excellent direction as well.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see great acting in a 50 year old still relevant play.

Don't see it if you are bothered by a "gay" play.

Also Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto, Andrew Rannells, Robin de Jesus all outstanding. But actually all nine actors are.... Read more Read less