Ellen O 7024

See it if you like seeing young talented people sing, dance and act their hearts out in a play about what it is to be an actor and so much more.

Don't see it if you don’t like a play that tries to cover too many topics in too short a time

See it if you like existential plays with a new twist performed by two extraordinary actors and directed by a genius

Don't see it if I see no reason not to see this play even if you are not into existentialism. it is a true learning experience

See it if you want to see david greenspan creating the impossible with ease

Don't see it if if you are not interested in great great talent.. david plays every character in a multi character play.. he is a genius.

See it if U like Tracy Letts writing & good acting. Plays with great humor while telling a dark tale about America today. Love Austin Pendleton.

Don't see it if you don’t like thought provoking short plays that question your sense of values.

See it if u want to experience why “black lives matter” with humor & truth. Fantastic writing, acting, direction, staging & costume changing.

Don't see it if i can find no reason not to see this play. i thought it was beautiful and important.

Also As a white privileged woman i was afraid this play might plunge me into deeper guilt and shame. It did not. It made understand and accept it. Thank you Doninique Morriseau.... Read more Read less

See it if U R OPEN MINDED, WANT TO SEE ITS 1997 ORIGINAL LEADS STILL DAZZLING AFTER ALL THESE YEARS, SURPRISE CASTING THAT WORKS VERY WELL

Don't see it if I CAN SEE NO REASON NOT TO SEE IT. IT IS RELEVANT AND IMPORTANT WORK

See it if you want to see a different sort of comedy . Watch Nigerian actors have fun with the acting life be that African or American. Like irony

Don't see it if You are not anxious to get back to the theatre or If you are expecting an American sit com.

Also It was wonderful being back at MCC seeing a show with sets that move and costumes that delight. It was also great watching good actors act again. .
The November 2nd show had an audience who seemed to be part of the show... which made the show even more enjoyable... Read more Read less

See it if are not familiar with the event. want to see outstanding actors, like verbatim theater

Don't see it if if you not prepared to be upset by racism that has not changed too much in 30 years. violence on screen for three hours

See it if u like a Pulitzer Prize worthy masterpiece performed & directed impeccably. Shakesperian heightening of the vernacular. Heartfelt, Beautiful

Don't see it if don't want 2 c a radiant ensemble act, sing, dance, and make u glad u r American because u watched this black family in action.

See it if u want 2 c a woman's solo performance as the monster,accompanied by a talented musician who speaks occasionally

Don't see it if u don't like experimental theater which needs further work on yet another csc bare bones set

Also i think it is racist to cast a black woman no matter how talented (and she is) play the monster.... Read more Read less

See it if u want 2 c a writer break all the rules & still have an exciting play; a rock band as an important character + a wonderful cast

Don't see it if u r not interested Cambodia, the Khmer Rouge & history; u r not open to new ideas & music as an important part of this play.

Also i did not expect to like this play not being particularly interested in rock bands... but was completely blown away.. i think this is a must see...... Read more Read less

See it if u want 2 c a rarely shown piece by the Bard & Middleton, reinvented & performed brilliantly by Hunter and a terrific cast.

Don't see it if Don't want to see the above in an outstanding showy production

See it if u like genius. Wooster Group meets the challenge of interpreting Polish actor, creator of happenings, director Kantor. FANTASTIC WORK

Don't see it if You do not like experimental theatre.

Also I felt like i had gone to an exhibit filled with many modern artists work. While i watched all the paintings slowly came alive and magically performed for me.. This show and its performers were wonder filled... I did not understand lots of it but it made me want to know more about Kantor and his process.. I would pay to know some background of Kantor before seeing. I saw this a few years ago at Bard... and what has happened since then which was a great show has now turned spectacular, GENIUS.
.... Read more Read less

See it if YOU LIKE KATE HAMILL’S WRITING & ACTING. A FEMINIST RENDITION OF DRACULA; SOME INTERESTING STAGING & COSTUMES, GREAT FIGHT SCENES

Don't see it if U DON'T NOT LIKE LONG. LOVE BELLA LEGOSI & FRANK LANGELLA, TRYING TO GET ACROSS TOO MANY MESSAGES

See it if u want to see judith ivy at her best and a very good performance by edmond donovan...very unusual set

Don't see it if u don't like a play that is long. A set that is different and should bring about discussion ...A tragedy that does what it does...DEPRESS

See it if you like Horton Foote...

Don't see it if you expect anything close to original production... but anything by Foote great

See it if you want to see the gospel come alive on stage as a beautiful prayer

Don't see it if u don’t like flawless acting, one man shows that bring back memories of innocence and true faith, the bible

See it if u like the playwright/ want to c fantastic acting/ want to go back to 1991/ c different points of view on race and race relations

Don't see it if u r afraid to face racism from a point of view that u may not embrace

See it if C If u want to support CSC one of the few theaters DEVOTED to putting forth classics

Don't see it if I can not recommend not seeing...Anything CSC presents is worth seeing...

Also This was a very different Macbeth… perhaps stretching too far to draw reference to trump … Macbeth the king deserves much more than being to compared to this president... Read more Read less

See it if u want to c a chef as artist/a show revealing a battle ‘twixt art & commercialism/ Fantastic set & A delight 4 all your senses

Don't see it if u want tried & true/can't overlook some histrionics and holes despite the fact that the whole play cooks up a truly entertaining experience

See it if u want 2 c the WHY of acting & life told by Peter Brook & Marie Helene Estienne & an extraordinary cast, touching, beautiful, life changing

Don't see it if u want 2 miss a once in a life time opportunity to experience the joy & sorrow of life interpreted by writing, directing & acting geniuses

See it if u want 2 support,Coop, a new theater company founded by Kate Hamill & A. Nichols that has great promise. Good acting, interesting staging

Don't see it if u do not like Beckettian apocalyptic plays in progress that try 2 convey too many themes creating a big muddle.

Also What might have been a good short play had too much repetition, needs editing and focus... Read more Read less

See it if u want 2 c a musical performance not a play.No sets, good voices, good choreography but unrelated 2 story & very little acting

Don't see it if u do or do NOT like musicals. want 2 c actors relate to each other

Also Very unclear presentation in playbill, None of songs listed...would like to compliment some of the performers but am not sure who was who
Tilly Evans-Cruger excellent... Read more Read less

See it if u like writers who try too hard to be hip, avant garde funny. want 2 c a wonderful cast burdened by repetitious material

Don't see it if you love Checkov

See it if you want to see a sam shepherd classic poorly directed, poorly cast and poorly staged

Don't see it if you don't want to be disappointed

See it if U WANT 2 C A PLAY 2 DIFFICULT 2 ASSESS WITHOUT SOUNDING RACIST/ A QUOTE FROM PLAY "IS BLACK AS F---K" THAT IS WHAT IT WAS/TALENTED WRITER

Don't see it if U R WITHOUT AN OPEN MIND, R 2 OLD,WHITE @ TIRED/ WANT TO C A STRING OF SCENES BRILLIANTLY PERFORMED WITH A MESSAGE BUT WITHOUT PLOT

See it if U WANT 2 C A DEPRESSING PLAY ABOUT ADDICTED TECHIES UNABLE TO COPE WITH LIFE WHO MEET 2 HELP EACH OTHER (WITHOUT SUCCESS) ALL IN SONG

Don't see it if U R NOT FAMILIAR WITH TECHIE TERMS NOR WANT TO LISTEN TO MUSIC WHERE ALL SONGS SOUND THE SAME ALBEIT SUNG BY WONDERFUL VOICES

See it if U WANT 2 C GLENDA JACKSON, PHILIP GLASS’S MUSIC, RUTH WILSON, ACTORS WHO SIGN AS WELL AS ACT AND THE GLORIOUS WORDS OF SHAKESPEARE

Don't see it if IF YOU EXPECT DIRECTOR SAM GOLD HAS TURNED HIS COPIOUS IDEAS INTO MORE THAN A MESS EVEN THOUGH AT TIMES THAT MESS IS BEAUTIFUL

Also THIS LEAR ...WHICH GOES IN TOO MANY DIRECTIONS AND CAN BE DIFFICULT TO FOLLOW AT TIMES IS DEFINITELY WORTH SEEING.... Read more Read less

See it if u would like 2c a 1937 play with history worthy of its own play /a Brechtian type agitprop musical in a bare bones set

Don't see it if if you do not like political plays with many scenes, lots of message, but little plot/good ensemble acting, movement & great voices

See it if u want 2c a fantastic performance by austin pendleton/ therapy from stage/some big laughs/like being part of the show/

Don't see it if if you are a Checkov purist/do not like experimental theater or long shows

Also this play is bitter sweet ... funny but also very sad may bring to places you do not want to visit... Read more Read less

See it if U want A straightforward version of play with an ensemble of actors who perform with a visceral energy that is RARE. They r a MUST SEE.

Don't see it if u do not like Shakespeare...BUT before u decide read "more to say below"

Also Even if you don’t like Shakespeare... choreography, fight sequences, costumes, masks, cross gender casting and acting..EVERY THING is DONE WITH ATHLETIC PROWESS which is startling, extraordinary and so alive...Remember this cast and say you saw them when...They are our future's stars... Catch my favorites Mark Bedard, Liam Craig and Merritt Janson... Read more Read less

See it if u like Strindberg, good direction, want to c a precursor to Whose Afraid of Virginia Wolfe/an interesting adaptation by Conor McPherson

Don't see it if if are in an impossible marriage u will never leave/ do not feel like being depressed

Also i felt lead actress was miscast.

See it if u want 2 c a psychedelic, metaphysical interpretation of Alice, an extremely talented cast, great choreography, songs dance & staging.

Don't see it if u don't want to c another version of Alice and musicals

Also *jabberwocky song" and *"what would I do without you" are worth seeing even if you do not like show. though whole show was beautifully performed many lyrics hard to discern.
* not sure what real names of these songs are but you will recognize when u see them.... Read more Read less

See it if u can deal with the horror of apartheid that sadly lives on... like magnificent acting, writing and direction

Don't see it if u want 2 miss a tour de force performance by zainab jah

See it if u want see all that Lynn Nottage writes. Excellent sets & inventive scene changes. A play filled caricatures not real people.

Don't see it if u do not want to see an attempted satire on racial prejudice in film (and life) that doesn’t work.

Also i think this play has a wonderful writer who has a good idea about an important subject.. but this play needs more work. Movie scenes were poor and so was interrupted interview. First act had a story...Second act wandered in too many directions and tried to cover too much causing confusion and loss of message as well as story.... Read more Read less

See it if u want 2 c what a perfect marriage is all about... absolutely beautiful writing performed exquisitely

Don't see it if u do not want to experience what true love is all about… and cannot not bear to tear.

See it if u like plays with a message, great acting, great directing

Don't see it if u don’t want to see a promising new playwright's heartfelt thoughts, feelings and hopes about women brought to light

See it if U LIKE FARCE GREAT FUN & UNBELIEVABLY WELLTIMED SUPER SLAPSTICK

Don't see it if U DO NOT LIKE FARCE & EXCELLENTLY TIMED FEVERISH SLAPSTICK

Also ALL ACTORS TALENTED BUT ELLEN HARVEY MICHAEL CRANE AND JASON O'CONNELL REALLY SPECIAL... Read more Read less

See it if u like stream of consciousness poetry telling 2 families' stories touching on theater, food, deaths & life profoundly in 45minutes/genius

Don't see it if u don't appreciate david greenspan, a story that does not follow a linear path or experimental theater

Also Despite the reasons not to see... still very worth while seeing

See it if u want 2 understand “everywoman” of all ages brilliantly captured. Whole cast wonderful and Adina Verison a MUST NOT MISS.

Don't see it if the above is unacceptable to you

Also I am 80 years old and had a preconceived notion this play would be too feminist and sexual for me... so much for that.. it was wonderful... there was not a thought or word in it that i have not experienced.. thank you thank you jen silverman... Read more Read less

See it if u feel everything Tucker does is worth seeing.Like experimental theater & r willing to put up with a creative mess with moments of genius

Don't see it if u r not famiiar with Vanya or Romeo & Juliet. Do not like experimental theater. Long for these plays beautiful words untouched.

Also I truly believe EVERYTHING done by eric is worth seeing. This first preview as explained prior to show was rough and for me did not succeed in achieving goal of placing plays side by to show their common themes. It also could not decide whether it wanted to be a spoof or serious. Concept holds great promise but needs further work i look forward to seeing it again later in the run... Read more Read less

See it if u have an interest in mystics! u should, they have a message for " now"...want 2 c a fantastic acting ensemble, especially jason o'connell

Don't see it if u want 2 c tried & true.. director austin & his cast r truly unique

See it if u want 2 c what amounts to a full blown broadway production set on the smallest of stages. It's absolutely magical

Don't see it if u don’t appreciate Hammerstein's genius, John Doyle's outstanding direction, ideal performances & a thoroughly enjoyable night

See it if If u want 2 c a rarely done William’s play acted to perfection. Lead actress fantastic

Don't see it if Do not c if you do not appreciate excellence

Also I have questions in regard to spare set and lack of props .. YES… it made me pay more attention to superb words and acting but mime of what was happening could be improved… despite this thought do not miss what is a wonderful performance... Read more Read less

See it if u want to c a beautiful but inappropriate set, hard to hear, not good production

Don't see it if Do not c if u have never seen the play. It would be a poor introduction to this classic

Also Irons a wonderful screen actor just is NOT the Tyrone that ONeill wrote, Mary, one note, rest of cast barely adequate, sitting in second row very hard to hear and understand what anyone was saying. So sad... Read more Read less

See it if u want long repetitive, depressing and painful

Don't see it if u read above reasons + poor staging and not knowing how to transfer a story that is truth to a staged drama

Also Lois Smith wonderful so is Johanna Day

See it if u want 2 feel as u r a "fly on the walls" of 121st street, watching people face heartbreak with understanding and humor

Don't see it if Do not want 2 c how people survive, lost in a world they will never escape, even if they do leave. Want the traditional format of a play

Also Very interesting use of The Lord’s Prayer…I wonder how many of us said it to our selves during the show.. and if the author’s intent was to include the audience as part of the play and in community through this prayer. i think one could spend a lot of time analyzing the symbolism in this play... Read more Read less

See it if U A WANT 2 C A PLAY THAT PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE DIED LONG AGO BROUGHT TO A GLORIOUS LIFE AND TRIUMPH UNDER A GENIUS WORDSMITH

Don't see it if IF YOU DON’T HAVE TIME TO WASTE YOUR MIND ON PURE JOY

See it if U WANT 2 C CHURCHILL WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH ACTORS/IF U LIKE POLITICAL PLAYS THAT DEMAND U RESEARCH & LEARN HOW A NATION IS FORMED

Don't see it if U ARE EXPECTING MS. CHURCHILL’S USUAL UNEXPECTED WORK/THIS IS LONG DIFFERENT& DIFFICULT/IF U BELIEVE EVERYTHING SHE WRITES IS WORTH SEEING

Also I FOUND THE NEON SIGN DISPLAYING ALL WORDS SPOKEN PULL ME AWAY FROM PAYING ATTENTION TO ACTORS. ALSO FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO DISCERN ALL THE CHARACTERS PLAYED BY SAME ACTORS WITHOUT HAVING THEM NOTED IN PLAYBILL.... Read more Read less