Donna W

See it if you enjoy big magical Broadway shows. This is textbook in spectacle, great songs, lovely story.

Don't see it if you need a lot of depth or complexity in character. No room for that here.

See it if you enjoy fresh takes on the classics. There's a lot to like here but a lot of it is slapstick and chaotic which would ruin it for some.

Don't see it if you like your classics kept classic, don't enjoy (albeit well executed) raucous humour and over the top acting.

See it if you enjoy Sondheim at all. Or some masterful acting from both leads.

Don't see it if you need a lot of scenery. The set is minimalist which works beautifully.

See it if you enjoy intense, dark humoured plays with masterful performances from an amazing cast.

Don't see it if you would prefer a disney musical.

See it if you enjoy recent-historical musicals that deal with facts in predictable but funny ways. Probably more relevant and interesting a decade ago

Don't see it if you don't want to deal with the US's recent history, in particular 9/11. Don't like laughter interwoven with the serious.

See it if you haven't really thought about the complexities of judaism before and would like to. Enjoy seeing actors work hard together.

Don't see it if you don't enjoy plays that talk for over two hours but don't bring much new to the table. None of this felt revelatory to me.

See it if you enjoy big broadway shows and the rhymes of Mr Minchin. Or liked the movie.

Don't see it if you'll be disappointed that this isn't another Matilda, or can't deal with the inevitable repetition.

See it if you enjoy the meandering slow burn of Chekhov sprinkled with Australian humour and acting talents.

Don't see it if you can't abide slow-starting plays and lots of rambling dialogue.

See it if you like big disney-type musicals, rock and rolls scores, big kid-driven musical numbers.

Don't see it if your characters need substance or an arc. Too much is going on for character stuff here.

See it if you enjoy plays that don't answer questions for you but present a weird world that forces thinking on humanity, survival, power, impulsion.

Don't see it if you need a clean story with a beginning, middle, end. This feels more like a contemplative ramble, one I found to be quite provocative.

Also I can see why so many people don't like this. Without cliffnotes or a high school literature course it won't make sense most of the time unless you're prepared to think about it, and even then it won't be fully sensible. What's more, entertainment doesn't seem to principally be the point of this play and I think only those looking for some mental exercise will enjoy it and increasingly this is not what performance is about. Pulling it apart and trying to work out what's in its heart is the entertainment here, not the story itself. The slow revelations of Sir are particularly enjoyable. This play is not for everyone but surely deserves picking apart by those who would enjoy such a thing.... Read more Read less

See it if you don't mind some very uneven acting, singing and direction and can see through all of that to the good idea and decent script.

Don't see it if you get distracted (as I must have been) by one lead that clearly can't keep up with the rest. The whole play felt forced and uneven.

Also I really wanted to get this and I am bemused as to why I didn't seeing everyone else's good reviews. It should have worked for me but something stopped me from engaging with it enough to suspend disbelief and enjoy the underlying script and subject. Massey feels very underwhelming besides Burnside and his Da Vinci feels petulant and unintelligent which I think is unforgivable. I think this ruined it for me.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy stories of the everyday trials of sometimes-frustrating characters. Healthy doses of dry humor and emotional growth.

Don't see it if you prefer spectacle or clean cut endings or explanations. You don't like split stories.

See it if You don't mind having to make some intuitive leaps, and enjoy the confusion. You enjoy a blend of surreal/real in a great rock opera.

Don't see it if u prefer traditional, clean-cut theatre. This won't make sense all the time, is haphazard/unclear. Like the source material. A good change.

Also I did really enjoy this and wasn't sure I would. I wasn't familiar with the source material so there were fragments and scene transitions that confused me; I missed out on some things, I'm sure. The message of the play, like the original, is also not clear, but I enjoy that. Not every musical needs an easy, clean story. Besides all that, the music was fantastic, the talent outstanding, and the show itself very well put together. I'd recommend to anyone with an open mind about theatre.... Read more Read less

See it if you can get cheap tickets and don't mind slow, somewhat pointless meandering with a few moments of genuine insight and/or comedy.

Don't see it if you like seriously depth or fast paced comedy. This is sufficient entertainment but nothing special.

See it if you're a fan of Hamilton and prepared to laugh at its expense.

Don't see it if you haven't seen Hamilton or don't enjoy the typical laughs of parody.

See it if you are a fan of Cheno and her Broadway voice.

Don't see it if you are not keen on Broadway concerts.

See it if you enjoy raunchy, ridiculous humor mixed in with booze and shakespeare.

Don't see it if you're offended by drinking (duh) or cheap laughs scored from lewd jokes.

See it if you enjoy extremely talented Broadway casts hitting every note in a great musical. Touching, smart, funny show!

Don't see it if you don't enjoy sung-through musicals or need the epic disney spectacle of a big cast.

See it if you like something a bit different and can get cheap tickets. the show is ok but not worthy of broadway.

Don't see it if you don't like the idea of wearing headphones or a sound-based show. You need a big cast/set/spectacle.

See it if you want to see some great Cirque acts. They do not disappoint, it's the musical that is awful and that eats up half the time.

Don't see it if you require a decent book, lyrics, music, story, characters. This lacks.

See it if you like great big disney musicals with a bit of heart. Big music numbers, a lot of funny moments.

Don't see it if you need a lot of character depth and nuanced development. Bits are skipped here and fluff is added.

See it if you don't mind severely under-done musicals with a solid foundation but poor, amateurish execution. Cringe-worthy at times.

Don't see it if Need a polished or well-rounded production.

See it if you enjoy vonnegut or menken, or just want to see some great broadway actors in a quintessential musical.

Don't see it if you can't get over the encores style of production (minimal sets, scripts in hand).

See it if you're a big fan of eugene ioneso, the core of the play is still here.

Don't see it if you want to see a well put on play.

See it if you enjoy the absolute top shelf dancing/singing/acting and can excuse the slightly disjointed/confused story.

Don't see it if you need strong character development/arcs with a clear central plot.

See it if you enjoy big disney-esque stories and don't mind that the musical lacks the magic (literally and figuratively) of the animated movie.

Don't see it if you are expecting Aladdin-level spectacle to go along with your fairytale. Doesn't quite get there.

See it if you enjoy Coward's work at all. Or just some classy farce. Or the A grade cast who were even better than expected!

Don't see it if you can't deal with the slow build up to the ultimate farce situations. Or need something epic to the plot.

See it if you enjoy brilliant, original new musicals.

Don't see it if you can't relate at all to the everyday psychological and social issues of parents and high schoolers.

See it if you can forgive the god-awful to enjoy McCollum who does his best, and some decent pieces of music.

Don't see it if you can't deal with the haphazard mishmash of a ridiculous fantasy storyline with reality without resolution. bad-landing juvenile jokes.

Also I wanted to like this and the music itself, the premise, even the characters all work on paper/individually. But the elements don't fit together at all so I got stuck waiting for the story to happen (it didn't) or the music to take over emotionally (it didn't) or the jokes to rise above childish silliness (nope... though props to McCollum for delivering them brilliantly). With a serious rethink the music and story could be made to work but as is it never settles at all.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy one-man shows that are a deep, intellectual argument about faith, religion, personal development. Interesting from any perspective

Don't see it if you can't stand slow starts of one man shows that feel more lecture than play. Aren't open to religious discussion.

See it if you don't mind that it doesn't live up to its potential. Still an enjoyable afternoon but nothing remarkable. Soo does well.

Don't see it if you loved the movie, you will be disappointed with this.

See it if you enjoy plays without much action that rely on debate and complex issues. Are interested in questions of fact and government.

Don't see it if you are not interested in politics or require spectacle to be entertained.

See it if you don't mind a play that feels incomplete and a bit preachy, that is carried by the acting chops of Tomei, Hall, and the rest.

Don't see it if you need a tighter play with a less didactic feel and realistic dialogue.

See it if you enjoy single character focussed pieces that walk a careful line of likeable/unlikeable and reflect/resonate with you or people you know

Don't see it if you don't like laughing at sadness an at characters' expenses.

See it if you enjoy plays about the everyday with a slightly surrealist twist This was a refreshing take on dysfunctional family/euthanasia/alzheimers

Don't see it if you don't enjoy difficult subject matter or talk of death/loss/spiritualism.

See it if you enjoy plays about every-day life, race, reality, and what needs to be overcome.

Don't see it if you can't put up with some spanish. I don't speak it and didn't feel I missed much. Don't care about race and racism.

See it if you enjoy new-style musicals with a tight focus and story. If you don't connect with the story of relationships here there's not much else.

Don't see it if you prefer big shows with a lot of action or scope.

See it if you don't mind a haphazard plot that tries to marry funny puppet sex with commentary on human rights and consumerism.

Don't see it if you need a polished, clear cut story. Won't entertain the suspension of disbelief required for puppets, puppet sex, and the bizarre.

See it if you enjoy new, slightly off-beat musicals and can forgive it's freshness. Was completely captivating with a fantastic array of characters

Don't see it if you can't stand offbeat stories or pacing, Or need a serious, sensible story.

See it if you enjoy New York everyday stories interwoven with each other and the acapela style.

Don't see it if you need big spectacle or an epic story.

See it if you enjoy audience participation and actors hamming it up to the extreme.

Don't see it if actors breaking character gets old fast or you need a coherent story and genuine intrigue.

See it if you're a fan of amazing people and amazing scores. Great music, story, acting. Three person small-scale show kept my attention. Loved it!

Don't see it if you need disney spectacle, big epic stories, or clean cut finishes.

See it if you enjoy classic Broadway shows. It was a very enjoyable 2.5 hours and worth seeing if you haven't. Great big broadway cast and music!

Don't see it if you need something edgy, Fiddler is showing it's age and is quite a slow musical at parts.

See it if you enjoy music from the 50s/60s with some great harmonising. Enjoy revue type shows with only a little plot holding it together.

Don't see it if you don't enjoy camp, silly shows.

See it if you want to see a really amazing cast performing quirky, funny, refreshing songs.

Don't see it if you need a straight forward plot or character development, this is more a collection of songs loosely connected and looped back on.

See it if you enjoy small productions with a lot of heart and a fantastic cast and creative.

Don't see it if you like big action or big story arcs.

See it if you enjoy character-based plays that explore the every-day. Very entertaining!

Don't see it if you need big elements to your plays!

See it if you enjoy poppy scores and a fun story. Solid cast with a decent story and characters.

Don't see it if you need polish or substance.

See it if you are interested in marsha norman's early stuff or dated prison pieces. Kind of an old, less edgy, orange is the new black?

Don't see it if you need anything edgy or exciting.

See it if you can deal with a play entirely propped up by the cast. Subject matter is interesting but there's nothing new or not a cliche here.

Don't see it if you want anything new or insightful. Or need action, or a reasonable arc to a play.