David 57

See it if creative and political is what you are looking for

Don't see it if conventional is what works for you

See it if you must see every WSS revival - the music is still there, but the mistaken use of video ruined just about everything

Don't see it if character and plot as opposed to spectacle matter to you

Also they cut "I feel pretty." Kind of tells you how tone-deaf the directing is. I love Van Hove's other work, but he just doesn't seem to understand this piece.... Read more Read less

See it if you love Busch so much you want to encourage him

Don't see it if you are hoping for the camp masterpieces of C Ludlam and Everett Quinton. This is quite weak: the camp humor is too muted and undeveloped.

See it if the supernatural grabs you and good performances are enough for you

Don't see it if you want something relevant to contemporary life or issues

See it if intelligent psychological drama interests you -- very much a play for the older generation.

Don't see it if you don't love literature

See it if you like political theater that shows us a truth about our situation

Don't see it if you want light entertainment

See it if you are looking for intense psychological drama, very well acted and directed

Don't see it if you are looking for light entertainment or spectacle; this is bare-bones theater at its best

Also Labute is a national treasure and this play is one reason why

See it if you want to support young performers starting out

Don't see it if you are looking for a professionally prepared show

Also This was opening night and nothing was working: cues, music, etc. performers tried to wing it, laughing at themselves, and their buddies in the audience were amused, but not those of us who were looking for a show that had been rehearsed.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy a subtle drama about the intersection of familial anxiety and politics

Don't see it if if you are looking for light fare

See it if you want to see cutting edge theater of the absurd performed with inspiring gusto and skill.

Don't see it if you are looking for normal. Exhilarating, but not always comprehensible.

See it if you were paying attention, or were forced to pay attention during the AIDS years. If interested in what the generations owe to one another.

Don't see it if Everyone should see it.

See it if you like Slice of life elevated to high art and are willing to face the darker sides of life

Don't see it if you want fast-moving or dramatic

See it if if you like glitz with serious intelligence.. great performances and production values throughout

Don't see it if you insist on a clear unified theme..this is a bit diffuse at times, but well worth seeing

See it if you enjoy serious drama that takes on difficult psychological questions with a sense of dark humor

Don't see it if you want something light. But really, don't miss this: La Mama does it again!!

See it if you enjoy political theater unafraid of the awful truth with some laughs to leaven the darkness

Don't see it if you want to be entertained

See it if If philosophy, history and madness interest you

Don't see it if you are looking for light or amusing theater

See it if you like political theater and are distressed by the state of the nation at the moment

Don't see it if you want light entertainment, or don't pay much attention to politics

See it if you like political theater and are prepared for some intensity amid the laughter.

Don't see it if you need a traditional narrative or have room in your heart for right-wing bigotry.

See it if you enjoy politicized tragedy.

Don't see it if you want something fun or light.

See it if if you love language, Shakespeare and Stoppard

Don't see it if you know nothing of Hamlet and Macbeth. The plays rely on minimal literacy with the two plays.

See it if satirizing Chekhov is your thing. The actors do their best with very thin material.

Don't see it if you think comedy should include meaning that is comprehensible.

See it if Seeing a young singer/actor/ dancer with lots of energy getting started interests you

Don't see it if you are looking for depth or meaning

See it if Walt Whitman matters to you and quirky vitality turns you on

Don't see it if you want normal in any sense

See it if you appreciate a deep dive into race and sexuality with humor and music, very well-performed and staged.

Don't see it if you are looking for traditional themes or need a traditional narrative.

See it if ingenious theatricality, great singing and inventive staging appeal to you

Don't see it if you can't put aside the goofy religiosity of the text

Also This show offers some insight into the power of religious texts in spite of and because of their wild claims.... Read more Read less

See it if you are twelve years old and dying of boredom

Don't see it if can't see why anyone would want to see this, but there was laughter in the audience though applause was brief.

See it if you want a well-acted, well directed play about the psychology of guilt, crime and family

Don't see it if you want something light

See it if great singing and meaningful theater are your thing

Don't see it if you are looking for traditional linear narrative or light entertainment

See it if you like intelligent theater that uses history to make its statement

Don't see it if you are not ready to listen carefully or don't enjoy historical themes

See it if you enjoy seriously funny, deep and dark theater

Don't see it if you are looking for light entertainment

Also Shepard was a genius taken from us too soon. This is a tribute to his art.... Read more Read less

See it if you are up for a painful encounter with the way we humans manage death, acted with consummate skill by two masters

Don't see it if you are not ready to feel the pain

See it if you care about the corruptions bred by American race politics in the entertainment industry,

Don't see it if you will be bothered by some gimmicky satire of academia that is unnecessary

See it if It's great Sondheim -- a musical for adults.

Don't see it if if it will bother you that some original material (eg "hills of tomorrow") has been cut.

See it if A racialized drama interests you, very well acted and directed.

Don't see it if you are looking for light entertainment.

See it if thoughtful, well-acted and directed theater with a twist interests you.

Don't see it if you are looking for simple narrative or melodrama.

See it if great performances outweigh substance. If all things Vanya interest you. If mocking Russian angst amuses you.

Don't see it if You've had enough Vanya lately or you find Russian angst more tedious than funny or touching

See it if The performances are outstanding. Labute's ear for contemporary speech and psychology is breathtaking.

Don't see it if you are looking for light fare or melodrama or easy comedy.

See it if If you are interested in problems of race, sex and politics and are aware of therapeutic lingo enough to find it funny when satirized.

Don't see it if you are looking for light entertainment and/or have never been in therapy

See it if Reza has a great ear for contemporary mores and foibles. You see yourself onstage and you laugh.

Don't see it if you are looking for depth. It's not clear what is uncovered by starting the play three times. In the end Reza has little to say.

Also The actors are terrific. The script is witty, but empty.

See it if you like serious political theater that is raw and unflinching.

Don't see it if You are ambivalent about homosexuality or homophobic.

See it if With great sophistication explores the interplay of world politics, intimate life and the cyber revolution..

Don't see it if you prefer your entertainment without intelligence. But really, ignore my sarcasm: this is a must see.

See it if Great acting and theater of the absurd grab you.

Don't see it if You are looking for linear narrative. It is the opposite.

See it if you like a sly send-up of murder mysteries with a feminist tilt

Don't see it if stage violence bothers you.

See it if The wonderful performances of Dylan's songs are reason enough to see this, but the subtle deployment of a historical narrative to comment on

Don't see it if (cont') American life make this a wonderful evening in the theater. There are flaws, but the whole is so good they needn't be mentioned.

See it if Great acting illuminates a dark moment in American history with considerable theatrical flair.

Don't see it if you watch a lot of sit-coms and don't care much about history.

See it if you like Vanya or Russian theater and appreciate great acting.

Don't see it if you are looking to be entertained.

Also Richard Nelson works his everyday magic. Immensely rewarding.

See it if you love Chekhov, Shakespeare and Bedlam and great acting and you are not afraid of innovation. If you love these classics, this is a must

Don't see it if you are looking for tradition or a lazy evening in the theater

Also Eric Tucker is a daring genius and his troop is amazing. This deserves to be seen and appreciated.... Read more Read less

See it if you want serious drama about difference

Don't see it if you are not up for painful developments. Some editing for continuity needed, but generally worked very well.

See it if you are dying to see Lea DeLaria in a play, though her acting was truly mediocre.

Don't see it if you are looking for character development or focus.The device of using Midsummer Night's Dream's play within a play had unexplored potential

Also In the very last speech there is some hint of what this play might have been, and very well acted. But all the disconnected antics that preceded it leave you exhausted and sorry you came.... Read more Read less

See it if you know what a great and literate voice Gurney was and you appreciate great acting.

Don't see it if you are expecting all three to be up to Gurney's highest standards.

Also The last of the three was for me the strongest, but was so good that it makes you re-consider the first two which were a bit weaker and less engaging. That doesn't mean they were bad -- just not great.... Read more Read less