Claude 7183

See it if you are interested in an exploration of the effect of slavery on the relationships between races in contemporary America.

Don't see it if you do not enjoy a lot of strong language and nudity.

Also I found this play (at over 2 hours with no intermission) difficult to sit through.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy drama exploring the role of women throughout history.

Don't see it if You are not interested in a rather one note play about the historical devaluation of women.

Also I did really enjoy one of the scenes during which the former wives of Ernest Hemingway get together after the writer’s suicide. Unfortunately, most of the other scenes were not so clever and relied upon slapstick humor.... Read more Read less

See it if you like Cher.

Don't see it if if you do not like Cher or biographical musicals.

See it if you enjoy big, over the top, old fashioned Broadway musicals.

Don't see it if you do not enjoy slap stick humor.

See it if you enjoy loud and vulgar riffs on classic dramas.

Don't see it if you do not enjoy slap stick and juvenile humor.

See it if you enjoy serious drama about complicated cultural and gender issues which are intelligently presented.

Don't see it if you are not interested in being immersed in a different and foreign culture - which actually is not so different or foreign.

See it if you want to see another play about teenage angst with a sci fi plot twist.

Don't see it if you are tired about plays about geeky teenage boys who want to be cool.

Also The cast is energetic and the teenage girls in the audience appear to know the songs and actors. Lots of tween screaming and clapping.... Read more Read less

See it if you like intelligent plays with a great ensemble cast anchored by a remarkable lead actress.

Don't see it if you find baseball statistics annoying.

Also One of the best plays that I have seen this season. Thrilling and uplifting.... Read more Read less

See it if you would like female powered stories told in broad swipes.

Don't see it if you are bothered by melodrama and white violence against African Americans (because it is depressing, not that the truth shouldn't be shown)

Also Clearly the producers want to bring this ambitious play to Broadway but it needs some work.... Read more Read less

See it if you would like a great ensemble cast riffing off a Chekhov masterpiece.

Don't see it if you do not like of a lot of characters talking without much happening.

See it if you like very ambitious - and a little odd - musical theater.

Don't see it if you would not enjoy almost 2 hours of "a cappella" singing.

Also While the play is billed as a cappella singing, I thought that there was a strong church choir aspect to it. The music and singing was complex and beautiful. The conceit for the setting of the play was strange and it took me awhile to get past it but once I did, I was truly in awe. Great theater.... Read more Read less

See it if you like huge Broadway productions that will never be re-created.

Don't see it if you need to avoid strobes, loud noises and a fair amount of vulgarity.

Also I did not intend to see this but was able to obtain an inexpensive ticket and it just received some Tony nominations. So why not. Turned out to be totally entertaining. The production must have cost a fortune. The actors try as hard as they can but the material is pretty weak. Despite all the problems, I enjoyed it more than most theater that I have seen recently.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see Susan Sarandon on stage along with some other good actors trying their best.

Don't see it if you are not interested a play that seems to have ambitions but fails to achive them.

Also I saw this early in previews so it is possible that it could get better. Just hard to imagine how they can pull off that trick.... Read more Read less

See it if you love work by Suzan-Lori Parks and have to see everything she does.

Don't see it if you think that an African American man wanting to be a slave to an annoying white man is an interesting concept.

Also I found this play to be so offensive. I do not even have words for my reaction to it.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy a very straight forward linear play with excellent acting.

Don't see it if you are not interested in an old fashioned play with a new but very old fashioned production.

See it if you might like an unusual take on Hillary Clinton, strong women and women's role in today's society.

Don't see it if you think Hillary was a conniving woman who got what she deserved. Or if you will just be too depressed to re-live Hillary's loss.

Also The play was more interesting upon reflection than while I was watching it. Also, it was so mimimal that it felt a bit flat. Finally, Laurie Metcalf and John Lithgow do not mimic Hillary and Bill which is disconcerting but the correct strategy. Thus, this small imaginary episode becomes more universal and cosmic.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy complicated commentaries on relationships between immigrants and whites in America. With great acting and writing.

Don't see it if you are not interested in human stories that also have political connotations.

Also I was completely enthralled from the moment that the play began. The performances were excellent (with some exceptions) and the writing was superb. I cannot wait to see Fairview, the earlier play by Jackie Sibblies Drury, which will begin a run at Theater for a New Audience in June.... Read more Read less

See it if you like experimental (kinda experimental) French drama and Isabelle Huppert.

Don't see it if you are not interested in characters who are as grating as nails on a chalkboard and have no semblance to any reality whatsoever.

Also I have seen Isabell Huppert in two previous productions including The Maids by Genet which was fantastic. She was also in an excruciating production at BAM. I admire that she is willing to not only do theater but difficult theater. However, The Mother was just awful.... Read more Read less

See it if you love classic Sonheim with a fantastic score.

Don't see it if you don't want to see another failed production of this show.

Also The actors were too enthusiastic for me and the production was confusing. I thought it just didn't click.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy an old fashioned political drama that is surprisingly relevant to today.

Don't see it if you are not interested in a traditional drama with a very linear plot line.

See it if you want to see Glenn Close on stage. It is a very small theater and she was magnificent.

Don't see it if you are not interested in historical dramas presented in a somewhat contemporary manner.

See it if you want to revisit an old friend and discover that you still are as close as ever.

Don't see it if never liked a chorus line or if you don't have a heart.

See it if You enjoy beautifully performed songs by Bob Dylan performed by an incredibly talented cast.

Don't see it if You aren’t ready for a play highlighting so many ugly aspects of America.

See it if you are interested in a teenage girl's feminist anthem.

Don't see it if you are not interested in banal lyrics and music.

See it if You like a play with plot, characters and even a set.

Don't see it if You don’t like highly political plays which point out that our swamp has been around for a long time.

See it if you would enjoy a play about the stuggles of young people to find their place in the world.

Don't see it if you are not interested in a bunch of pretty self absorbed young people.

Also I was not bored at all during this production and thought that some of the acting was superior. Ultimately, I just wasn't that interested in the playwright's take on the subject matter.... Read more Read less

See it if you can tolerate half the play being performed by children since the second half is performed by an excellent cast.

Don't see it if you do not like child actors having significant roles. (I found their performances incredibly annoying).

See it if you enjoy one person monologues that are well crafted and well acted.

Don't see it if you are not interested in men discussing their emotional responses to tragedies in their lives.

See it if you are interested in an exploration of issues regarding illegal immigration as a Greek tragedy.

Don't see it if you are non interested in an exploration of contemporary political issues.

Also The second half of the play which I think was supposed to integrate Greek tragedy was just too over the top.... Read more Read less

See it if you would enjoy a one person show by a very talented one person who has a hell of a story to tell.

Don't see it if do would not enjoy a one person show with some not so great songs.

See it if you enjoy old fashioned musicals with a contemporary twist: girl gets girl.

Don't see it if you are looking for something edgy or innovative.

Also I enjoyed this much than I expected. It is not great but sincere and entertaining. And wittier that most musicals that I have seen on Broadway this season. I am looking forward to the movie already. I just think they should cast some of the actors from the play.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy contemporary playwrights confronting major societal issues.

Don't see it if you do not like extemely polemical theater which beats you over the head.

Also I thought Marys Seacole by the same playwright was brilliant but just did not like this earlier play.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy a contemporary playwright exploring difficult social issues.

Don't see it if are not interested in a particularly bleak play.

Also The cast tries as hard as it can but I am not sure where this play was supposed to be headed.... Read more Read less

See it if you are interested in a riff on a play by Shakespeare with a great cast and which explores current political themes.

Don't see it if you do not like raunchy and frequently silly plays.

Also I thought that this was a big mess - which is what I expected by Taylor Mac. However, so much of the writing was truly incredible. And the cast was amazing. I was glad that I saw this play and would love to see another production. Maybe not so big... Read more Read less

See it if you like classic Irish theater presented in a traditional production.

Don't see it if you are not interested in a play about Ireland during the troubles.

See it if you like small productions of old fashioned musicals performed by a professional cast.

Don't see it if you do not like a lot of slap stick type humor.

Also The entire cast was excellent and gave completely entertaining performances. In particular, Chris Dwan was captivating as the lead character. He deserves more work!... Read more Read less

See it if you want to relive the early 1960's and think it was an interesting time culturally.

Don't see it if you were hoping for an interesting production of a very very dated play.

Also I was really looking forward to seeing this play. I still remember enoying Please Don't Eat the Daisies when I was a child. However, the play is shockingly dated and needed a different production if it were to succeed. I don't think that I laughed once during the entire play. Obviously, I was very disappointed.... Read more Read less

See it if you are interested in a provocative take on the current state of the media especially newspapers.

Don't see it if you do not like very loud busy productions

Also I thought that I would like this more than I did. One of my guilty pleasures is Jonny Lee Miller in Elementary and I think he is brilliant in it. That coupled with the reviews and awards given to the British production, probably unfairly raised my expectations. However, I just did not think that the writing was so clever and the production - while it certainly kept me awake - ultimately got on my nerves. But did not give me a headache... Read more Read less

See it if you are interested in screen actors trying to do stage acting.

Don't see it if you are are hoping for an entertaining or though provoking evening.

Also I gave this play a score of 50 since I have come to conclude that it is just mean to give a lower score. Most reviewers have indicated that Adam Driver was better than Keri Russell - perhaps a hair better. I love Keri Russell but she was so wrong wrong wrong for this role/play. I am not sure that she should be doing stage. Adam Driver was just bad. Also, the play is extremely dated and the production did not correct for that problem in any way.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see one of the most brilliant stage productions performed in New York this season.

Don't see it if you have difficulty sitting for a long time.

Also The three actors were brilliant - which I should have mentioned in the initial key words. I feel very fortunate to have seen Ben Miles in this as well as in Wolf Hall. My one proviso is that I just do not enjoy seeing performances at the Armory. It isn't a theater. I feel like I am in a giant barn.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy an intelligent play with a good cast.

Don't see it if you are not interested in paying attention to a complicated plot.

Also The play just seemed to need some more work or editing. The plot was extremely complicated and I am not sure why. However, the cast was excellent.... Read more Read less

See it if you like clever plays that rely upon intelligent beautifuly written dialogue.

Don't see it if you are not interested in a very long play about the Irish troubles (at least metaphorically).

Also Unfortunately, I did not see this with the original cast so I cannot say whether it was better with that cast. I thought the acting was a little weak at times. Irish accents came and went. And the end just seemed wrong.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy a group of actors performing their hearts out in an amusing NYC based musical.

Don't see it if you do not enjoy very very fluffy musicals.

Also I was concerned at the beginning, It had a slow start but then came together and was utterly entertaining.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a classic musical with an excellent cast in a full blown production.

Don't see it if you would prefer to see a more contemporary or edgy production. This does attempt to skirt the gender issues but is pretty traditional.

See it if you love Bertolt Brecht and you just don't get to see much by him in NYC.

Don't see it if you are not interested in a stilted translation and performances. It was a little hard to endure.

See it if you like Tom Stoppard's style of intelligent writing. He is sort of a show off of all he knows or has researched.

Don't see it if you would not enjoy essentially a philosophic discussion that goes on for over a 100 minutes.

See it if You are interested in two great performances in a play about the lives of African Americans involved in the civil rights movement.

Don't see it if You not so interested in Christian themes.

See it if You have to see Stockard Channing in anything. Same for Hugh Dancy.

Don't see it if You are put off by excessively long and somewhat didactic “serious” new dramas.

Also As with a lot of new dramatic plays that I have seen recently, this is seriously flawed. But Stockard Channing was fun to watch. Hugh Dancy underutilized even with 2 roles.... Read more Read less

See it if Great acting in a play that goes off the rails.

Don't see it if You can not suspend your disbelief for some preposterous plot turns.

See it if You like great singing in a smart production of an old fashioned musical.

Don't see it if You would be disturbed by language that could be viewed as colloquial or patronizing.