Bud 8034

See it if You enjoy multidisciplinary story telling.

Don't see it if Looking for traditional theatre piece / straight story telling.

Also I enjoy multidisciplinary story telling, and this piece would fit in at the HERE theater in SoHo where I catch similar shows. This piece uses acting, dancing, kung fu, music, lighting, sound effects, and video to tell a story that is impossible to follow yet still captures your attention. The actors (all talented) orate passages from the Talmud and Bible and describe a man that is put in perilous conditions on his journey through the centuries (maybe?). Who knows, but never the less, I was never bored as the direction is stellar!(clean and quick), lighting and music is engaging, and other art forms get you hooked in to whatever the heck is going on onstage. Might be better to have a few beers or smoke a lil something something before hand lol and revel in the sensory overload with a perplexing story. Thumbs up!

Sidebar: Great space too. Apparently they won an Obie award this year. Would go back.... Read more Read less

See it if You like mature content and can stay engaged for 75 minutes.

Don't see it if Allergic to fog machines. Not appropriate for young kids / teens. (lots of crude sex talk)

Also 1st) it's general seating so get there a bit early if you can

A one woman show with impressive staging and lighting and sound effects. Milly Thomas, star and writer, effortlessly switches back and forth between characters in her dead characters life as she revisits the past and what happened in the future without her around.

One weakness could be that the main character doesnt delve deep enough into her own illness and focuses on the other characters in her life. And another weakness is that some of the crude "jokes" that no one laughs at and are just awkward for everyone that could be cut. (e.g. staring at ones private part from a certain angle) And I love Apatow films and am no prude. It's just too much.... Read more Read less

See it if you have a friend in the show and want to support but even that is pushing it

Don't see it if you have literally anything better to do, like having your wisdom teeth pulled.

Also Show started 30 minutes late. Hank H. Kim, the producer /playwright / star (never a good sign for a good show) hired a photographer who TOOK A PHOTO EVERY 5 SECONDS FOR THE ENTIRE PLAY. MOVING SIDE TO SIDE IN FRONT OF THE 1ST ROW. STICKING HIS DSLR IN FRONT OF AN OLD LADY'S FACE @ 1 point. I was in the 4th row and could hear the shutters. Why didn't Kim stop the play? SO DISTRACTING!!! Take staged photos after dress rehearsal!
Writing: like the verbal diarrhea of a schizophrenic who spent 6 months locked away reading sci-fi books and not structure of story telling
Set: Inane. During scene change, actors randomly turn over a small painting at the back of the set as if that's supposed to signify anything to the audience.
Direction: negligent. Literally stand and talk and before the scene ends, have one character move two feet.
Acting: Bad save for Lily Narnbonne (Cassie) who had to pretend she was in love with an actor old enough to be her dad.
Ending: Ludicrous. No emotional impact... Read more Read less

See it if You an enjoy an overall sharp production. Kevin Isolated, who plays Vanya, especially good.

Don't see it if Looking for something that is emotionally engaging

Also A very professional production. Directing, lighting, acting, set, and writing were all Grade A. However, there were no moments of being blown away or leaving an indelible imprint on the audience member.... Read more Read less

See it if audience members who are or know people pursuing an acting career will be able to relate.

Don't see it if bare bones theater is not your jam.

Also 3rd Larry Philips (the guy reminds me of Billy Crystal) show for me. His best and bravest performance yet. However the cast is glaringly uneven in its talent / commitment. Phillips and Joshua Torgerson, who plays Seth, outshine the others in the cast so much that you wish they both had more to play off of. Direction, lighting, set are nothing noteworthy. Writing is sharp. No fat. Funny and turns dramatic. Recommend!... Read more Read less

See it if The actress who plays the mom is excellent. Direction and set/lighting also well done.

Don't see it if An hour 40 minutes is too long to go without an intermission

Also Too many scene changes results in the audience never settling in with the characters. The disjointing nature of this results in the audience viewing the piece from a distance and never fully engaging emotionally as a lot of time is spent figuring out what's going on in the new scene. The play really works at the end when there is a continuous 20 minutes of drama. Could really work well if cut fat (reading of the letters), streamline it (less scene changes), and make the brother a fully developed character (comes off as one noted).... Read more Read less

See it if you like 2 handers.

Don't see it if sex is a turn off

Also Not sure the two actors had chemistry but they shone individually. The set sucked.... Read more Read less

See it if you like theater that tries to be edgy.

Don't see it if violence turns you off.

Also The actors try but don't really click. Audience didn't believe it. Script needs work.... Read more Read less

See it if you like meaningless theater.

Don't see it if you like plays that have actual plot and action and character development.

Also The actors and director do what they can. They stage design is the highlight. The fault is in the writing. No plot. Having realistic dialogue doesn't equate to meaningful. Skip!... Read more Read less

See it if you are a fan of comedy

Don't see it if raunchy material is a turn off.

Also Saw this last night. The house was packed and loving it. The characters and the situations are outlandish yet rooted in reality. The ensemble cast is terrific with Shea and Davey being the standouts. Direction is sharp and never lulls. Set design draws you in. See it!... Read more Read less

See it if you like sharp productions.

Don't see it if Young men playing 9 year olds is too far of a stretch of the imagination.

Also Lighting: Stellar
Directing: Clean and focused.
Acting: Strong performances, (at times hammy) from a young cast, with standout Cody Robinson (DAVID) who delivers a moving monologue at the end.

The production did everything right but I neither felt connected to the characters nor cared for them and I left the show wondering why as all the parts of the production were solid. And I grew up in the suburbs where friends would meet at a playground... Worth seeing. Quality show.... Read more Read less

See it if You are in the mood to let loose and have a good time.

Don't see it if I can't think of one.

Also You may not like musicals, you may not be gay, you may not know pop culture, but the pure joy coming from the singers and dancers from doing what they love to do leaves the diverse audience with a smile on their face for an hour and 30 minutes. Awesome sound system, really cool lighting and I was particularly impressed with the video montages. If you are on the fence, I'd say step out of your comfort zone and go!... Read more Read less

See it if you are a fan of comedy, period.

Don't see it if looking for something PG rated. Get triggered by identity politics.

Also This is a bold NYC debut from a British comic who has a bright future ahead of him. The show incorporates audience participation, freestyle rapping, poetry, musings on current hot topics. Plus cats! Audience ate it up. Great date night show. Recommend.... Read more Read less

See it if You can sit through bad theater and chalk it up to a learning experience as to why things don't work and what to avoid.

Don't see it if You're looking for an enjoyable time at the theater.

Also Aside from the uneven acting (to put it nicely), the play itself doesn't know what it wants to be. Is it supposed to be a comedy (as advertised)? If so, the situations and jokes are neither set up nor delivered. Or is it supposed to be a drama? The tension / relationships neither builds nor does the audience feel / care for the characters. Either way it is a complete mess of a show. Only thing that kept audience attention was to see if the bride's breasts would fall out of her loose fitted bra. LoL. Pass!... Read more Read less

See it if Never seen the play and can get a cheap / free ticket.

Don't see it if Expecting a professional production with actors who are engaged emotionally with the text. (actor who plays the Matriarch is the exception

Also Actors dropped lines and could not pick up cues. The background music would go from loud to quiet to loud then cut off for no apparent reason. Lighting cues would be off. Two actors did a scene in the dark by the bar and after the scene was over then the spotlight came up on an empty bar. Other examples of lighting errors not be mentioned. A random projection screen in the background that serves no purpose. Started flashing HDMI at one point. Allows 5 or 6 audience seats to be on the stage for no reason (just a distraction). The wardrobe goes from period to contemporary (see Polo shirts). The main exit stage left is established as a bathroom in the beginning and then used as the main entrance to the apartment and then near the end, actors walk on stage "through a wall" right by the kitchen next to the door (who directed this?) Bad for even "community" theater standards.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy intimacy, mystery, and well done sets with attention detail

Don't see it if afraid of being alone

Also The dancers (actors) do a good job, but after awhile the dance routines become a bit monotonous. You basically get shuffled into room after room every 5-10 minutes. Each room has old books and letters and photos that you can look at. After a minute or two, a dancer comes in and dances / does a monologue. And then you are led to another room for another dance.... Read more Read less

See it if Because of Adam Driver and the roommate

Don't see it if Because of Keri Russell (soooo bad) and the rich guy actor (bad, but not as bad as Russell)

See it if You like dark comedies and sharp acting.

Don't see it if You like serious plays

Also Was pleasantly surprised I stumbled upon another Larry Phillips play by accident. Both I've seen have been outstanding. A big theater needs to give the man a residency now.... Read more Read less

See it if you hate yourself

Don't see it if you love yourself

Also Completely dated and a "safe" production. Why not go bold and attempt to make it contemporary? Predictable, dated, boring, a real snooze fest. No emotional impact either. What's the point of putting this show on?... Read more Read less