Douglas Marino

See it if you like current topics in your drama. you like intense stories with good writing

Don't see it if you don't want to hear about another school shooting, you do not want to get upset about these school shooting events.

See it if you like kids, kid musicals, kid talent.

Don't see it if you dislike kids as main characters, kid stories, un-remarkable musical numbers,

See it if you like a dash of catholics, politics, family conflict, and death all in one. throw in peter pan, does that grab you?

Don't see it if you don't like disjointed shows, don't like peter pan, don't like to watch death on stage, don't like family conflicts that may cut close.

Also Just to see 72 yo Kathleen Chalfant fly as peter pan at the end was divine.... Read more Read less

See it if you like plays with a twist, plays that present a theory on something, plays that involve mystery, plays that challenge you

Don't see it if you are easily confused, don't like plays about science, aren't comfortable with a person possibly with a cancer diagnosis,

Also There was a controversial line in the play about the holocaust and 9/11 that i think the playwright could have dealt with a bit more tactfully. Not everyone is Unaffected by these events.... Read more Read less

See it if you believe everything you hear about it - its divine, delicious, old fashioned, fun, delightful, DONNA MURPHY is on for Bette and she rocks

Don't see it if you don't like musicals, you don't like paying high prices for musicals (tickets are cheaper for Ms. Murphy's summer run).

Also The feeling that Carol Channing was in the room was never far. The feeling that Bette was watching over was never far either - this show is a delight - musically, theatrically, and entertaining-ly. Indulge if you wish for Ms. M at $250+ per ticket or see Donna Murphy for a mere $100 or less. Wow-Wow-Wow Dolly!... Read more Read less

See it if you like good family drama; like conflict; like to see familiar actors interacting; like stories about caregivers;

Don't see it if you like happy plays; you do not like sad family dramas with broken families; do not like death looming on stage;

Also the play was generally sad and depressing. The actors need a bit more rehearsal as the chemistry and connections were lacking which in turn was perceived as a flat, non-emotional performance; Or did Anne Kauffman direct them to play flat and emotionless on purpose??... Read more Read less

See it if you like funny actors; like funny plays; like a little slap-stick comedy; enjoy a good laugh

Don't see it if you don't like slap=stick comedy; don't like to just laugh for the sake of it; don't like drawing room comedies;

Also Michael Urie is at the top of his game and this show is incredibly stilly and funny.... Read more Read less

See it if you like sad yet hopeful plays, you like to see handicapped people shine on stage, you like a play where two stories intersect

Don't see it if you are uncomfortable with people in wheelchairs on stage; do not like sad yet brutally honest and truthful stories;

Also The 2 brave and talented handicapped actors in this show are the best part of watching and enjoying this touching show.... Read more Read less

See it if You like great theatre, great stories, current events, a fast pace, a true-ish story, history, hope

Don't see it if You don't like history as theatre, don't like politics or current events, gave a closed mind to the Middle East conflict

Also Jefferson Mays deserves The Tony. Great ensemble performance too. Well written, even better executed. Bartlett Sher's pace is franetic and it only enhances the tension, drama, story, and makes it all seem urgent and real.... Read more Read less

See it if you like magic, mind reading, psychic ability, parlor tricks; audience participation (lots). don't go expecting a play.

Don't see it if you dislike all of the above, want to see a "real" play (this is sheer entertainment); hate or fear audience participation (there is lots).

Also He's a brilliant performer (i suspect most of this is illusion or behind the scenes research to make it all work - however despite my disbelief - He really did astound and dumbfound - "how did he do that?" you ask over and over.... Read more Read less

See it if you like extended storytelling (this is part 2 of a 2 part play). like stories about immigrants and their experience;

Don't see it if you do not like very long - 2 part plays. You don't need to see both but they make better sense if you do - and see them in order.

Also This play is shorter and more condensed than the first. However, the creatives went a little too overboard with extended and unnecessary dramatic scenes - it could be trimmed down at points to a mere 90 or 100 minutes.... Read more Read less

See it if You like lush soaring epic music, quirky characters -really quirky. Clever yet weird stories, fantastic music

Don't see it if You don't like all of the above good things wrapped around a really silly, childish, and high school feeling story.

Also The soaring and lush music just didn't mesh well with the silly story. It really felt like a high school production although the acting and singing were magnificent i just wish the story matched.... Read more Read less

See it if you like bizarre stories; you like fast paced plots; u like some mystique to your stories; want a good glimpse of a naked boy running around

Don't see it if you don't like confusing, rapid fire dialogue, don't like the 4th wall broken, don't like full frontal nudity; don't like dots not connected

Also 1st preview aside - they had their s**t together quite nicely but the story is confusing and you walk away feeling like you either didn't understand something or you missed something. Definitely a play to go see with someone so you can talk about it after.... Read more Read less

See it if you like shows about cultural differences; like family drama; like ethnic actors; like a good story

Don't see it if you dislike ethnic or culturally different shows (this one is Muslim); don't like fmaily drama; don't like too many loose ends not tied up.

Also the show was great. it did explore several characters and left many avenues open to further exploration. some people do not like this as there are unanswered questions and ambiguity. Overall a great cultural lesson on stage.... Read more Read less

See it if you like Reed Birney (I do);u like shows that leave a lot to think about; like shows that ponder ideas;

Don't see it if you like defined plots; like action; like resolution; don't like wandering, thought-provoking, empty dialogue; expect something to happen

Also For Tracy Letts - it was a let-down. Perhaps after August, Osage County anything would be but this play was about as far away from that one as possible. It was empty, wandering, inconclusive, and kind of boring. Some interesting characters are never really developed and the ones that are seem to stagnate. Can't tell if it was a blistering critique of religion or it was sympathetic toward it. I wanted a lot more. I didn't get it.... Read more Read less

See it if you love Mamet; you love a really good controversial topic; you love plays about ethics, religion and legal dilemmas.

Don't see it if you dislike plays that slight/blame religion for problems, don't like Mamet's distinctive style, dislike plays that present moral dilemmas

Also early in the run - actors still need to master the choppy dialogue style but well on their way. gives you wide latitude to fill in the blanks - which you may not agree with your BFF you attended the play with - religion and ethics has a way of doing that.... Read more Read less

See it if you like vignettes (there are lots), you like raw, unvarnished emotions on stage, like stories about poverty, hoplessness, life in general

Don't see it if you don't like a band-aid being ripped off, don't like ethnic shows (puerto rico); don't like smoking (there is lots); don't like cursing

Also Generally well crafted - the vignettes make it easier to handle the many story lines/characters - one or two of them are a bit too long as compared with the others. There is lots of smoking on stage (and coughing in the audience). There are drugs. There is foul language every other line. Be prepared.... Read more Read less

See it if You like Shakespeare. You like Daniel Craig;

Don't see it if You hate uncomfortable wooden seating; do not enjoy Shakespeare; expect something more in an updated long winded 3 hour production.

See it if You like quirky shows; love shows with a message; love (good) new musicals; love new fresh talent on stage

Don't see it if You like some adults in your shows; don't like stories about kids; don't like carnival type atmospheres; hate going to the dumpy lortel.

Also It was a great to see fresh faces and new material but just felt slightly like a NYMF show. Maybe that was the kids themselves but I guess the nature of the material too. I really liked it tho.... Read more Read less

See it if You like Richard Greenberg stories; like stories about days gone by; like a good ensemble; like a bit of a magical storytelling.

Don't see it if you don't like Long Island; stories about Jewish housewives of the 60's; a narrative told by breaking the 4th wall throughout.

Also Outstanding ensemble with a stand-out performance by Randy Graff.

It was not lost on me that Mr. Greenberg connected one of the characters in this play to the main character in one of his other plays, Our Mother's Brief Affair.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy preachy lectures; current events; 1 woman shows;

Don't see it if you expect a real play; you dislike going to the theater and getting a college lecture

Also Ms. Smith is a brilliant stage artist but this is not really a play - it's a college lecture with characters and stories and video. It's powerful and well crafted but not really "theatre". It's an evening with a mostly ultra liberal white audience that cheers on a black woman highlighting all the problems offering little in the way of solutions and everyone feels good on the way out for attending.... Read more Read less

See it if you love fully sung shows; like lots of music; like borle or rannells;

Don't see it if you like dialogue; you don't like dated, mis-cast shows; you don't like dated shows about AIDS; like a show with an actual set.

Also the music is beautiful but it seemed like a pastiche of scenes compiled and rushed to the stage at the time it came out. there wasn't a huge emotional punch probably because it is a bit dated. not sure I really liked Martin very much overall.... Read more Read less

See it if you like gender bending stories; like futuristic stories; "like a peak into what might become". like cute boys ;-)

Don't see it if you do not like contrived, absurd, or big bends of the truth or reality; are not comfortable with a play skewering religion as a fool's game

See it if you like Deanna Dunnigan. You like family drama and stories about family conflict.

Don't see it if you don't like stories that have people losing their marbles, don't like stories about old people, don't like family conflict and drama.

See it if you are a democrat. you love Mr. Moore. you hate donald trump. you love hillary clinton; you want to hear a few of his stories.

Don't see it if you hate politics; you hate Mr. Moore; you are a republican; you dislike one-man vanity projects.

Also His theme is important - even a little thing can make a difference - the book for this show is well crafted and stays on message. It's silly and indulgent and you should know what you are gonna get well before attending.... Read more Read less

See it if you love musicals, you love hamilton, you love silly, fun-poking at shows, you like light hearted broadway silliness

Don't see it if you don't like parody shows. you don't like silliness and especially silliness about broadway shows.

Also Gerard's shows get better and better each time. this latest one actually makes fun of hamilton but does it through making fun of a whole host of other broadway shows and memorable show tunes!... Read more Read less

See it if you like modern staging (read empty stage, no set), like quirky plays; like 'em short (80 Min).

Don't see it if you like developed characters, you like substantial plots, you hate filling in all the blanks in the script.

See it if you like tall tales; like great music; like great staging and singing; like a fun filled evening in the theatre; don't mind silliness.

Don't see it if you don't like silly; don't like made up tales; expect serious theatre; you are generally a serious-only person.

Also the music was great - singing was OUTSTANDING. Staging was clever. Creatives should trim several of the unneeded plot lines and scenes to trim this down to a 2 hour GEM!... Read more Read less

See it if you like intense drama, a good story with a bit of a surprise at the end; like serious, real life stories; like stories about "crazy" people

Don't see it if you do not like stories about mentally ill people; do not like to guess what is going on; like a clear picture of who the characters are

See it if you like graphic violent, brutally raw content on stage, you like powerful theater, you like bizarre topics on stage.

Don't see it if you don't like violence, brutality, or blood. you dislike torture, you do not want to see someone broken on stage.

Also The acting in this play is top notch. The video design and projection is amazing. The subject matter, however, is brutal and raw and is not held back. Torture on stage may not be your thing.... Read more Read less

See it if you like crazy stories and theories about real life events; like rock type musicals; like a really well put together off-broadway musical

Don't see it if you don't like stories about 9/11 or war; don't like fake stories about same; don't enjoy a good laugh over the roots of the iraq war

Also It was a bit uneven - act one was over-the-top funny/silly/physical comedy - and act 2 was much more serious - even one of the characters joked about it being not funny anymore. This musical seems to laugh at itself along with making you laugh. The actors alsl seemed to be having a lot of fun with it. Several cast standouts - music needs some work.... Read more Read less

See it if You love rich, bold, absorbing storytelling; great music and intelligent lyrics; history

Don't see it if You can't afford it; otherwise see it. It's that good.

Also This may be the hardest working and best looking ensemble (as in "the non character dancing singing support) on Broadway today.... Read more Read less

See it if you like immigrant stories; you like stories about africa/america; you enjoy storytelling and new theater.

Don't see it if you do not like shows about immigrants r the immigrant experience; don't like plays that are longer than they should be

Also Act 1 was a total waste of time. The salient points could have been taken out and combined into Act II for a really good and slightly long one act play - instead we got 2:30 minutes. Good writing and good storytelling - just too much of it - overdone.... Read more Read less

See it if you want an eye opening theatrical experience based on real life experiences and people ; you like politics;

Don't see it if you are looking for a plot with characters and a story - this is a re-enactment of real life.

Also i was struck how i viewed the things that were said thru a new prism when someone of the opposite sex said the same things.... Read more Read less

See it if you like to see two tough women leads; u like old fashioned stories; like a little sas; like a well acted play;

Don't see it if you hate the south and southern post-slavery stories; do not like to see black people treated poorly; don't like old fashioned tales;

Also I saw Laura Linney as Regina and Cynthia Nixon as Birdie. I tried to imagine it the other way around and bet it is totally different. Maybe i'll see it again <?>... Read more Read less

See it if you like political themes; you like a twist at the end; you like fair presentation of all sides with humor and heart;

Don't see it if you hate southerners; you do not like politically themed plays that are current; you don't like guns; you dislike Jesus infused in stories;

Also all sides represented; while there is a point of view of the play you can see how the author is trying to show all sides with heart and humor... Read more Read less

See it if you want to sample lots of eclectic theatre companies; enjoy brief performances; like off-beat material;

Don't see it if you don't like crowds; you like substantial theatre; you can't stand for performances;

Also The concept is great - sample lots of different theatrical companies and performance styles. However there are too many people in the space that have to be shuffled around into rooms that are too small to hold everyone. It's cozy but after a few of these you are frustrated. Definitely look at your program ahead of time and seek out the things you want to see. Not sure why they only host you thru 3 performances then turn you loose. Would rather have had a full escort and and more organized and timely evening. The performances themselves were all great and different and a few got me hooked on future shows.... Read more Read less

See it if you like tall tales, coincidences, links between generations, magical stories, and wonder.

Don't see it if you like stories with heft; you like linear plots, you dislike wonder in the theater, you don't like electricity.

Also plenty of wonder in this evening of theatre.

See it if you like shows with no discernible plot; like non-traditional seating and staging; like a great deal of non-verbal acting; like weird things

Don't see it if you want a comfortable seat - you will be sitting on a cardboard box covering a piece of wood or worse - the floor; you like a plot

Also The recording and subsequent playback with dialogue (done twice) was ingenious; Making salad with ice skates was bizarre and totally gross. There is almost nothing coherent about the dialogue and there is no plot. This was not theater rather fairly boring and slow performance art.... Read more Read less

See it if you like shows about women's empowerment; like shows that pack a punch; like a good story;

Don't see it if you dislike shows that support a strong viewpoint; don't like shows about "issues"; don't like women's issues; don't like Brits on stage.

Also The show was a bit long and could be tightened; seems to be a bit all over the map at times but did focus most of the time.... Read more Read less

See it if you want a REALLY lite show; like SNL; don't mind political and p culture zingers

Don't see it if you want to see a "real" musical as this is more like an extended SNL skit; don't like political humor;

Also The show is at the same time fresh for topical news/pop culture, but stale in terms of bad writing and arrangements. The actors were all cute and bubbly, but as an ensemble they weren't that good.... Read more Read less

See it if you like storytelling that progresses unfolds over generations; like plays with a stinging message;

Don't see it if don't like plays that point out a generation's flaws; don't want a dose of reality.

See it if you love an incredibly talented group do a-capella show ; you love a real Yew York City story; love when love trumps hate

Don't see it if U R a curmudgeon who doesn't love a good old fashioned love story played outacross multiple characters; don't like music; you hate subways

Also Every cast member was superb. Every single one.

See it if It should be illegal to write a 3 ½ hour show that is so lackluster. The actors all gave great performances despite the material.

Don't see it if You value your time in a seat in the theatre. At 3 ½ hours this show chews up all that time and returns little back to you.

Also Mare Winingham and Mark Blum lead a great cast. I felt sorry for them. Great performances. Julia Duffy stole the show with her looks.... Read more Read less

See it if you like nicky silver; you like lots of family drama; like some eye candy on stage. gays;

Don't see it if you dislike plays w/ obligatory gay characters; stories about aging parents w/ problems; don't like family problems, contrived plots.

Also A Nicky Silver play without Linda Lavin - interesting concept. Act 1 was probably too long and filled with too much repeated dialogue and cliche. Act 2 was much much better - much more like I expect from Mr.Silver - biting and acerbic First preview was flawless. For the record, Joe Tippet needs to take his shirt off at some point..... after all as long as Mr. Burnap did ;-) Great stuff on stage all around!... Read more Read less

See it if you like one woman shows; you like political and social issues lightly touched on; you like issue oriented shows; like great voices

Don't see it if don't like one woman shows; don't like shows that deal with social and political issues; like some action in your play;

Also Sarah Jones is perfection in her various characters and voices. She really nails the mannerisms and the voices of her characters.... Read more Read less

See it if you like Jonathan Larson; you enjoy watching 3 great actors melt into their roles; like great music; like shows with heart and soul

Don't see it if you don't like shows about coming of age, characters figuring them selves out and what they should "do" in life;

Also Nick, George, and Ciara are perfectly cast and have a strong vocal and ensemble chemistry.... Read more Read less