Eli 7062

See it if you want to see a talented actor keep this classic, important material alive and relevant.

Don't see it if you don't want to think about identity or violence.

See it if you value ensemble pieces with excellent roles for women and are willing to work to make meaning of the various moments and motifs.

Don't see it if you want light & fluffy, need themes spelled out for you & fit on a bumper sticker, or you’ll be crochety if asked to stand or sit on floor.

See it if you want to see flawed people figuring out if they want to fall in love.

Don't see it if you are angered by men who don't listen to women and the "Don't Take No Approach" played as romantic.

See it if you are a human being. If you are a human being with flaws who has loved or been loved, all the better. Also see it for the lighting design.

Don't see it if you are going to just try and pretend you're above it because it has straightforward language and themes.

See it if you aren't attached to the original.

Don't see it if you don't do "dark".

See it if you like toast.

Don't see it if you have the most perfect (or unexamined) relationship with your siblings and parents and won't be able to relate.

See it if you are curious about the intersection of theatre, scientific research & analysis, and hip hop culture.

Don't see it if you're averse to waving your arms around like you just don't care, participating in call & response, and staying for a Q & A with the artist

See it if you are willing to settle for a superficial telling of very important topics that should be discussed.

Don't see it if you care about young men facing meaningful consequences for their choices. This musical fails in the last 15 minutes.

See it if you can sit still, be quiet, and be transported by sound and color and creative genius.

Don't see it if you need a narrative or will disrupt the rest of the audience with your wiggles and need to talk.

See it if you like nonconventional theatre and stories about a woman finding her voice and way in the world.

Don't see it if you need a straightforward narrative and refuse to engage with metaphor.

See it if you are willing to embrace a show that deviates from the classic, Western plot structure.

Don't see it if you have recently lost someone important or are uncomfortable with nostalgia and aging.

See it if you enjoy language, individual stories, and stunningly beautiful vocals.

Don't see it if you have no soul.

See it if someone gives you a free ticket and you can frame it as an interesting experience and not as a piece of theatre.

Don't see it if you are scared of crowds, the dark, or being confused.

See it if you enjoyed the books and love a big Broadway spectacle.

Don't see it if you only like kitchen sink realism.

See it if you want to see brilliant performers working with a moving script in a powerful production.

Don't see it if you are prone to describing stories about women as "precious".

See it if You want to see a show about what we owe and are owed by the people in our lives.

Don't see it if You are anti women with opinions or don't want to look at your own relationship to money and the transactional nature of relationships.

Also I question why so many reviewers claim the characters are unbelievable or find the resolution lacking an emotional impact?... Read more Read less

See it if you appreciate the source material and are comfortable with ambiguity.

Don't see it if you need a lot of action or spectacle.

See it if you appreciate ensemble theatre, want to explore theatre history, and are interested in current social issues.

Don't see it if you want a big song and dance spectacle or you are uncomfortable with complicated emotional stories.

See it if you want to reminisce or learn about Carole King.

Don't see it if you have no interest in the music industry.

See it if you enjoy not knowing what is going to happen next!

Don't see it if you need a clear resolution.

See it if you see the beauty in dark, difficult material and if you love experiencing powerful performances in intimate spaces.

Don't see it if you are squeamish, unfeeling, or the subject matter hits too close to home.

See it if you enjoy watching actors do great scene work and want to know the difference between Wilson's early work and his great later works.

Don't see it if you need set changes or a lot of physical action on stage

See it if you can afford it.

Don't see it if you're just going to say it's overrated.

See it if you want to think about sex, power dynamics, race, and complicity.

Don't see it if you are squeamish or need your characters to be flawless.

Also Needed about 10 minutes of line edits to tighten the script and keep the pacing up.... Read more Read less

See it if you like watching talented actors do scenework.

Don't see it if you need a satisfying resolution. This play has the weirdest last line in all of theatre!

See it if you have never read the book and haven't had many conversations about race in your life.

Don't see it if JUST DON'T SEE IT. Why encourage this super problematic production?

See it if you are interested in the dynamics of marriage and idea of forgiveness.

Don't see it if you can't suspend your disbelief.

See it if you have been accused of being too angry and want to see your story on stage. See it if you are not sure why women are so angry.

Don't see it if you clutch your pearls at the phrase "blow job" or can't enjoy or see the value of theatre in a heightened, absurd style

See it if you are now in or ever plan to be in a romantic relationship.

Don't see it if you don't want to explore heavy and important truths.

See it if you can handle discomfort and want to see perfect beat work by three physically engaged and emotionally honest actors.

Don't see it if you are going to dispute the premise as a way to avoid dealing with all that the play explores.

See it if you can get tickets close to the stage so that you can experience nuance and not just spectacle.

Don't see it if you have no interest in theology, philosophy, feelings, and forgiveness. *There was too much yelling and not enough depth in Part One

See it if you can relate to a story about a family that is not connecting.

Don't see it if you can't stand plays about rich people.

See it if you love Steve Martin's brand of absurdist, intellectual humor. Or if you're married.

Don't see it if you aren't interested in metaphors or laughing or people being goofy.

See it if you want to see Andy Karl in his underwear.

Don't see it if you are going to grumble about what makes this show charming: silly stage tricks, a simple story, & light and delightful songs.

See it if you know a teenager! Such a beautiful play about parents & children- about feeling angry, lost, and unsure of how to connect with a child

Don't see it if you are put off by a mixture of realistic and poetic dialogue.

See it if you want to see a film truly transformed into a theatrical experience.

Don't see it if you want to see the story told exactly like the movie.

See it if you are curious to see how it beat out Indecent for the Best Play Tony- but are willing to leave knowing that Indecent was robbed.

Don't see it if you want to be emotionally moved by a theatrical experience.

Also This was a three hour history seminar with some corny jokes and some poorly utilized direct address narration thrown in to make it seem "theatrical".... Read more Read less

See it if you are interested in family dynamics and the choices women make around care-giving.

Don't see it if you want a show with a clear conflict and resolution, profound character growth, and good staging.

See it if you want big laughs that highlight big ideas.

Don't see it if you are uncomfortable addressing issues of race.

See it if if you love nuanced performances.

Don't see it if you have no sympathy or empathy for people who make bad choices.

See it if you want to hear some exceptional singers, enjoy interesting staging in intimate spaces, & can forgive some plot holes & flimsy development

Don't see it if you need fully developed characters and a plot that goes on a clear journey.

Also Despite trying to present the "gritty" truths of racism in the first half of the 1900s, the show never quite reached that level of truth or profundity. In terms of race, the moments that were supposed to feel powerful fell flat and others that were supposed to be more feel good actually made me uncomfortable because of the implicit messaging.... Read more Read less

See it if you can get past the holes in the plot and weak character development and want to see a great production of this show.

Don't see it if you're just going to gripe about it.

See it if you love physical comedy and brilliant costumes.

Don't see it if you want an earnest retelling of the original story.

See it if you love great writing- this show is perfectly paced and absolutely beautiful.

Don't see it if you find monologues written in the second person off-putting.

See it if you want to hear great voices and laugh about all the things that make the subway the subway.

Don't see it if you think it's absurd for a story about NYC in 2017 to focus on the plight of 2 confused white people & employ a "magical negro" character.

See it if you have siblings!

Don't see it if you are afraid of feelings.

See it if you just want to hear some songs and eat overpriced but delicious pie in a jar and don't care about sending dangerous messages to women

Don't see it if you're a thinking human being who understands the complexities of domestic violence, abusing position of power, infidelity, and motherhood

See it if you think art needs to be slow, reliant on design for interest, and plotless to be profound.

Don't see it if you value your free time.