Claude 7183

See it if you would like a play about baseball or a superstar baseball player who comes out.

Don't see it if you are not interested in a lot of discussion of why many people are obsessed with baseball. Or if you are offended by male nudity.

Also I really enjoyed almost all of the performances, particularly Jesse Williams (who I did not expect to be so good) and Jesse Tyler Fergerson (who I have found rather erratic in previous performances that I have seen). The play bogged down a bit after the second act. It isn't a great play but was a good one and very entertaining. Why hasn't it been made into a movie?... Read more Read less

See it if you are interested in six teenagers of color trapped in a Waiting for Godot-like after school detention.

Don't see it if you are not interested in a play unsuccessfully trying to convey serious concerns about youth culture.

Also Dave Harris is clearly a talented young playwright who hopefully will be producing a lot more work. I did not think that this play was successful - obviously a very personal view - but it is exciting to see a new writer like Mr. Harris getting his plays produced.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a huge production of a Michael Jackson juke box musical.

Don't see it if do not like very loud and overly produced musicals with minimal plot.

Also The production was extremely smart and engaging as were most of the musical numbers. I was not as impressed with Myles Frost as I had hoped. Finally, Lynn Nottage tried to create a more faceted and sympathetic MJ in her book. I don't know if it was based on fact or she created this version.... Read more Read less

See it if you are interested in seeing great performances by Mary-Louise Parker and David Morse in a disturbing play about pedophilia.

Don't see it if you are not interested in pedophilia. I am not.

See it if you would enjoy a well written and well acted play about women's relationships in Iran over several decades.

Don't see it if you are not interested in women's relationships or are offended by somewhat graphic words referring to female anatomy.

Also I would see anything written by Sanaz Toossi. And anything with the actress Marjan Neshat. Although all the actresses were wonderful.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a really well written play with outstanding performances.

Don't see it if you are not interested in a play with just two actors in a confined space that lasts 90 minutes with no intermission.

Also I would now see anything written by Samuel D. Hunter.

See it if you enjoy seeing stars in a Broadway show or if you still enjoy Neil Simon.

Don't see it if you are not interested in a pretty dated play in a production which has not figured out a way to make it more relevant.

Also Sarah Jessica Parker was fun to watch although I am not sure if she was acting or just being herself. Otherwise, I was surprised how not funny this Neil Simon play turned out to be. I don't think that I laughed once. However, the audience seemed to really enjoy it.... Read more Read less

See it if you would like a creatively staged version of an older play which I am not even sure is that good.

Don't see it if you do not like straining to understand difficult accents which are overamplified. Also, a lot of the dialogue is delivered as rap.

Also I thought James McAvoy was amazing but I expected to really love this based on reviews. I had a hard time understanding a lot of it and was somewhat bored. I did not select disappointed as a descriptive because I don't think it is fair to anticipate a great play based upon what I read.... Read more Read less

See it if you like Sondheim, you really have to see it.

Don't see it if you do not like Sondheim.

Also I think this was the best show that I have seen all year. I know that Encores! productions seldom move on but I hope that some producers will put this on Broadway with a full staging. Absolutely wonderful.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a very serious play about complicated politics in the Middle East.

Don't see it if you do not want to sit for 3 hours and 30 plus minutes with a mask on watching a difficult play. Also lots of fake cigarette smoke.

Also I though that the acting was great and really enjoyed the first two acts. The third act seemed to be visiting from a different play.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy a group of very talented actresses performing a play centered on rauchy lines. Supposedly a farce.

Don't see it if you would prefer to see such talent utilized in a better vehicle.

Also I know that many people loved this show and thought it was hysterically funny. I also recognize that I have a peculiar sense of humor and did not laugh once during this entire show. The cast was wonderful and the best part was after the play was over, they all came out and performed a 10 minute medley of songs. Vanessa Williams should be getting more work!! She was transcendent when singing.... Read more Read less

See it if you really like Debra Messing. Which I do but that still wasn't enough to overlook the over the top sentimentality of the play.

Don't see it if you do not enjoy theater that overtly attempt to play with your heartstrings. A little too Hallmarkish.

See it if you are interested in Boys in the Band for millenials. Although everyone describes it in this way, it is accurate and prepares you.

Don't see it if you do not want to see 4 (and sometimes more) gay men yelling at each other for over 95 minutes.

Also I don't think that the play is getting enough credit for being quite funny and entertaining. Could use some work and then might be excellent. But it was a very enjoyable night at the theater and I am thankful for that much.... Read more Read less

See it if you are interested in a long musical about the fight to win the right to vote for women.

Don't see it if you do not like musicals in which many of the songs seem similar and there is a lot of history with which you may not be familiar.

Also I actually knew a lot about the main character Alice Paul and suspect that is not the case for many. So I was able to follow along with the historical basis easily. I was hoping to like this more than I did and, having seen Hamilton at the Public before it went to Broadway, I did not think they were comparable. However, I did enjoy this show quite a bit and think that with some work, it would be much much better.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see the big musical that won some Tonys several years ago. Though I can not understand why.

Don't see it if you do not want to see an overblown musical coasting on its awards and maybe previous cast enthusiasm which has now waned.

See it if you are interested in a traditional musical about New York City during the Civil War. Joaquina Kalukango is the lead and is a true star.

Don't see it if you are not interested a lot of history in your musicals.

See it if you are interested in the role of Black women in America. Dominique Morisseau provides compelling insight into so many current issues.

Don't see it if I can't really think of any reason not to see this play. It isn't perfect but is rather remarkable.

See it if you want to see an unusual musical totally revamped by Billy Porter into a commentary on a variety of current social issues.

Don't see it if do not like "classic" plays being tampered with. Especially for political reasons.

See it if you are interested an outdated and very loud commentary on technology.

Don't see it if you are not interested a confusing and excruciating presentation on complicated ideas unfortunately reduced to a semi Luddite level.

Also I do not think I have read Marshall McLuhan since college - which was a long time ago - and after seeing The Medium, I am not sure that I will ever have any interest in his work again. I do not think that was the intent.... Read more Read less

See it if you are interested in a moving exploration of discrimination against Asian Americans with a historical context.

Don't see it if you do not enjoy rather static plays with only two cast members.

Also Shannon Tyo gave an amazing performance.

See it if you are interested in a refreshing play about the interrelationship of language and your perception of self.

Don't see it if you would not like to see a play that repeats the same classroom scene over and over with variations.

Also I loved the ensemble cast. I also thought that the play should have been a little shorter.... Read more Read less

See it if you would enjoy a play with dialogue and realistic characters - as opposed to didactic lectures and characters that make no sense.

Don't see it if you are interested in edgier contemporary theater.

See it if You like contemporary opera with no melody and all singing done in the same bland style.

Don't see it if You are not interested in contemporary opera.

Also I find almost all contemporary opera to be incredibly similar in musical and singing style. Unfortunately, I do not find this style interesting or compelling.... Read more Read less

See it if you would like to see a play that actually delves into issues of race and gender in unexpected ways. And has some great tap dancing.

Don't see it if you are not interested in an old fashioned musical which is not perfect but has a cast trying hard. Or if you do not like tap dancing.

Also Several performances were outstanding. But Joshua Henry was mesmerizing. One of the best performances that I have seen this season. I wish there was a way that this production could be brought to Broadway.... Read more Read less

See it if you are interested in theater exploring women's roles - especially sexual roles - in today's society. But I just didn't get much out of it.

Don't see it if you do not want to see but mostly hear graphic descriptions of unpleasant and disturbing situations.

Also I saw this in previews and thought that the play needed a lot of work - mostly some serious editing. I do not think it will ever be a good play but it could be better. There are also several interesting performances.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a big, blown out production of one of Sondheim's best plays.

Don't see it if you do not like over produced musicals.

Also I have never seen Company before so I can imagine that a more intimate production may actually be more intellectually satisfying but I loved this big production.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a musical based upon stereotypical characters who sing decent songs.

Don't see it if you are not interested in a simplistic view of NYC society from the 1830's to the 1850's.

See it if you would like to see a work by Sonheim that isn't among his best but with a great cast and great performances.

Don't see it if you are not interested in seeing a not so successful piece of theater with a very unusual premise.

See it if you want to see one of the most bizarre musicals to open recently.

Don't see it if you do not want to see a huge amount of talent and money expended on a questionable enterprise.

Also I just can't get beyound the concept of this musical. Or how James Lapine could attract the enormous amount of money to get it produced when so many talented people in NYC can't scape together a bargain basement budget.... Read more Read less

See it if you are interested in the latest work by Lynn Nottage. Otherwise, not so interesting.

Don't see it if do not want to see a play about five people who are superficially portrayed although their stories ought to have been more compelling.

See it if you would enjoy an amazing solo performance by an actress. Otherwise, I cannot think of a reason to see this.

Don't see it if are not interested in an extremely disturbing portrayal of a very damaged person.

Also I just happened to see two productions by Irish playwrights in one week and am a little taken aback by the portrayal of the world in both. I never thought of the Irish as this self tortured.... Read more Read less

See it if you like absurdist Beckett type theater. The entire cast was excellent.

Don't see it if you do not like to feel like you have been kidnapped and forced to sit through visual and sonic torture.

See it if you would be interested in a period piece that explores race relations that is as relevant today as it was when first performed in 1955.

Don't see it if the unfamiliar way of talking in a period piece irritate you.

See it if you are interested in an intergenerational story of three women. Solid performances and Blair Brown was great.

Don't see it if you do not like very fast verbal plays. The three actresses play multiple characters which are constantly shifting.

See it if you want to see a new musical with lots of excellent performances, smart lyrics and interesting music.

Don't see it if you are not interested in a peculiarly plotted musical.

Also The first act was wonderful but the second act seemed almost unfinished. Most of the performers had great voices but in mid song would switch from a low voice to a full belt. It may have been a problem with the size of the theater. Needs some work.
But Bonnie Milligan was amazing.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy an amazing ensemble cast performing an old fashioned play. The play is dated but the actors appear to be having a great time.

Don't see it if you do not enjoy older plays being performed without any glitz - other than the performers.

See it if you would be interested in the reenactment of an FBI interview of a person who leaked a confidential document. A long 70 minutes.

Don't see it if you would not be interested in the above.

Also Before the play began, the theater played unbelievably loud hip hop. It was literally hurting my ears. Also, there was some sort of music during parts of the play that were way over amplified.... Read more Read less

See it if you are interested in seeing a very flawed musical in a big production with a huge talented cast.

Don't see it if you cannot let the flaws of a play be outweighed by the talent on display.

Also Plus it is the Broadway debut of Sharon D. Clarke. She must come back again as soon as possible.... Read more Read less

See it if Ruben Santiago-Hudson was amazing. This was a charming mesmerizing show. Best thing that I have seen since theaters reopened.

Don't see it if you do not like one person shows. Otherwise, I cannot think of a reason not to see this show.

See it if you like contemporary Irish theater performed by two talented actors.

Don't see it if you are not interested in a study of a dysfunctional family.

See it if you are in the mood for a big Broadway musical that isn't really old school except for its enthusiasm.

Don't see it if you have no interest in a new take on old myths.

See it if Ostensibly, 10 audience members learn a sonnet by Shakespeare. It's actually about censorship and how literature lives in our souls.

Don't see it if You will be bored by the repetition of a sonnet as 10 people memorize it.

See it if It was so great to see a new intelligent musical. However, this play needs some work.

Don't see it if The play addresses serious issues related to American immigration laws but comes across a bit like hectoring.

See it if It is very difficult to describe this performance that - as explained by the production - is presented for Black people. Heart rending.

Don't see it if The beginning is interactive and participatory.

See it if you are concerned about the status of people of color in today's society which is controlled by white people.

Don't see it if you do not like Beckett.

See it if you like beautifully crafted and thought provoking plays.

Don't see it if you do not like plays without much plot that are driven by monologues by characters who do not actually interact with each other.

Also This is the second play written by Rajiv Joseph that I have seen. His writing is beautiful and brimming with ideas. I would see anything that he has written and would love to see new productions of his older work.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy drag caberet mashed up with opera.

Don't see it if do not like a counter tenor voice or bitchy humor.

Also I saw this in previews and it seemed like it needed to be tightened up a bit. Justin Vivian Bond is in her element and though Anthony Roth Costello was slightly awkward, he gets so many points for being game to do something so out of his comfort zone.... Read more Read less

See it if you are interested in current trends in contemporary theater.

Don't see it if you are not interested in somewhat hyperbolic monologues or a very loud staging.

See it if you are interested in what contemporary playwrights are doing.

Don't see it if you do not like pretentious riffs on classic plays.

Also I just did not find anything funny in this production. Clearly it is my sense of humor.... Read more Read less