Emi R

See it if You’d like to hear some amazing signing and dancing. But very spotty.

Don't see it if You want a really solid plot. It felt lacking somehow and uneven. A pastiche that didn’t work well.

See it if You love an unabridged and modernized version of Hamlet.

Don't see it if If you don’t like modern takes on Shakespeare.

Also Run time is long 3:45 with two intermission. First intermission isn’t for 2 hours. The sound was not great in a few spots due to the armory being a huge venue. Get ready for modern and edgy with Bob Dylan in the mix. But a great Hamlet.... Read more Read less

See it if Want to experience several years in the span of a few hours.

Don't see it if Don’t want to just be invested in one character for over and hour and a half

See it if Want an interesting and unusual take on race relations in America.

Don't see it if Don't like musicals and don't want to look at race relations in America from a new perspective.

See it if Love the story and want to see Hugh and Sutton together on stage. Shipoopi is just as fun as it's always been. Hugh/Sutton=amazing chemistry

Don't see it if Don't like musicals. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute.

See it if Want to see a story about being Jewish/Parisian through the generations and through one family. Like well-researched dramas.

Don't see it if Don't like long plays with intermissions or long monologues.

See it if You want to see a farce and have a quick laugh.

Don't see it if Don’t want a farce about con artists. Show is a bit slow

See it if You have liked work by James Lapine and want to see a terrific cast in action.

Don't see it if Aren’t ready for drug trips or peculiar stage antics. I honestly don’t know how to feel about this one.

See it if You like the work of Enda Walsh and want to see a great cast. If you like movies like The Lobster this has a similar feel.

Don't see it if You don’t like intense plays that seem experimental. This feel like a critique on health system but it was done in an odd way.

See it if You like a funny plot about day-to-day experiences of ex cons.

Don't see it if Need an absolute ending or are looking for something groundbreaking.

See it if Want a family friendly show that mixes Sherlock Holmes with A Christmas Carol. You’re into Brit Panto.

Don't see it if You don’t like Sherlock Holmes or think A Christmas Carol is overdone. Need serious plays.

See it if Want to see an LGTBQ story about being true to yourself and growing up in a world that doesn’t understand you. You love Diana Ross.

Don't see it if You don’t want to see another coming of age story of a 13 year old boy.

See it if Want to see a drama from the perspective of a black cast and want to learn how discrimination can impact someone’s actions.

Don't see it if You don’t like play within a play. Need big events to happen in a short period of time. This is a slow burn.

See it if Want to learn more about the Lehman Corporation and want to see a though provoking drama.

Don't see it if Can’t sit still for 3 hours and 15 minutes. There are two intermissions but the show is longer.

See it if Love to see a new take on a Shakespeare classic. The cast was superb and the show was funny.

Don't see it if Don’t like Shakespeare or untraditional takes to plays.

See it if You want to laugh and reflect on Black Lives Matter and the experience of black men in the US.

Don't see it if Mind butt cheek (2x)

See it if Want a family drama set in the 1950s with unresolved issues.

Don't see it if Are looking for a show with a quick pace or a riveting story.

See it if You want to see a story about immigration and DACA and how it impacts one family through the years.

Don't see it if Don’t want to see a story about immigration.

See it if You want a modern take on a classic and are looking for new songs.

Don't see it if Are a purist. Second act has been considerably changed.

Also Really couldn’t get into this one. Love the classic but felt this show was a bit lackluster and the themes of today were forced in and didn’t fit. The cast is great but overall the show felt forgettable.... Read more Read less

See it if Are looking for a poignant play about African American experiences during the war.

Don't see it if Are not a fan of war dramas or plays.

See it if You love the productions of Ivan Van Hove and are looking for a fresh modern take on a classic with a young cast.

Don't see it if Are a purist and need elaborate sets. Very modern take.

See it if Love Bob Dylan music and don’t need a plot

Don't see it if Don’t like Bob Dylan and need a plot with closure. The show has several disjointed stories.

See it if Want to learn more about the Cambodian genocide and one particular story set to nostalgic music before its troubled era.

Don't see it if Don’t like stories about genocide or communism but highly recommended.

Also Someone on social media had recommended the show and I honestly had no clue what it would be about when I walked in. I thought it would be a musical but it’s much more than that. While there is music during the show, it is used to enhance more of a play then folded in with the story. We jump from 2008 to 1970 to learn about a group of friends in a band and their story after Khmer Rouge basically takes away their youth and life. It’s a story of survival and the perseverance of the human spirit. It shows some though choices we have to make. It’s relevant to today’s period where we are constantly on the verge of war or persecution among those who cannot defend themselves. High recommended even though it may be intense and painful to watch. Cast is talented and the writing is impeccable.... Read more Read less

See it if You liked the original movie and want to hear some Duncan Sheik music

Don't see it if Don’t like the music or Duncan Sheik

See it if You want to learn more about how a tiny Canadian town welcomed those flights grounded post 9/11

Don't see it if You are easily triggered by anything concerning 9/11

Also This show was uplifting and extremely interesting. I wouldn't say it is anything spectacular or something that if I had missed I would have been terribly upset about. I think personally I just found it difficult because of the subject matter. As a New Yorker 9/11 is burned into my memory and anything can trigger the feelings felt during that day or the months and year after. This show is good because it shows human relationships and how people come together during tough times. I do recommend it but it can be tough or make you cry.... Read more Read less

See it if You love the movie and want to relive a telling in theater format.

Don't see it if If you want 100% replica of the movie or amazing singing.

See it if Like old school comedies about mistaken identities

Don't see it if Are looking for anything modern

See it if You would really like to see Peter Dinklage on stage in a singing role. It is a musical (surprisingly).

Don't see it if Need more than a few pop-like songs and are looking for a play. Nothing groundbreaking is happening.

Also I walked in expecting a play. My mistake. Peter is a great actor and there are a few zingers that are funny in Act 1. The piece is decent but there's nothing that particularly stands out. Not the music. Not the staging. Not costume design. Did I expect more from an off-broadway production? Maybe. I think there was a gem waiting to happen somewhere but it falls short overall. If you can catch it with lotto tickets it doesn't make for a bad night but I would not pay full price for the production or expect to be blown away.... Read more Read less

See it if You like improv or freestyle rapping based on audience participation. Are you looking for a funny night? Then go.

Don't see it if You need plot or a story.

See it if You want to see great actors acting but don't need great writing.

Don't see it if You need story to be cohesive and need good writing.

See it if You are looking for a play to make you think and conversation starter.

Don't see it if If you're uncomfortable with America's past. Beware some triggering scenes especially in the beginning and end of the play.

See it if You like the writing of Tennessee Williams and Marisa Tomei.

Don't see it if Don't enjoy the writing of Tennessee Williams.

See it if You want to learn more about the birth of The Sun and the early days of Rupert Murdoch.

Don't see it if You get bored easily. The play jumps from time-to-time and some of the characters may seem abrasive.

See it if You love Miller's work and a great cast of actors.

Don't see it if Aren't a fan of period pieces or pieces that critique war.

See it if Love the classic and wouldn't mind a modern take on it.

Don't see it if You want a 100% faithful adaptation to the movie.

See it if You love the original movie and are looking for a new take for the stage that still remain true to the story. The set design is great.

Don't see it if Can't seem to let it go that this is a kid show. The use of staging and technology works really well.

See it if Have seen the classic movie and are looking for a funny take on The Taming of the Shrew

Don't see it if Don't like Cole Porter or long shows. This however was a great revival.

See it if Enjoy seeing stories about Irish lives during it's fight for independence.

Don't see it if Don't enjoy Irish humor or not that familiar with history.

See it if Want to see what the hype is about or like a regurgitation of the movie with bad acting and mediocre songs.

Don't see it if Want to be wowed.

Also Disappointed. I only watched it to see how it would be as remakes like this are mostly a miss. Adam Pascal (temporary) is not meant for this type of musical. His raspy voice doesn’t jive with the music. Samantha Banks has a great voice but the acting here was atrocious. The chemistry non existent and the only part that made me not want to walk out was when they go to see the opera and La Traviata is being sung.... Read more Read less

See it if Are looking for short vignettes that speak about current issues including race, immigration, and gay rights.

Don't see it if You are looking for one concise story or one plot.

See it if You are looking for an engaging drama set during the Irish troubles.

Don't see it if Highly recommended but if you aren't looking for a drama set during the Irish trouble you might want to check something else out.

See it if Love the original story and want a new perspective on it. This sticks pretty close to classic with some choice edits.

Don't see it if Are not bothered by kids being portrayed by adult and the story being told from memory.

See it if You want to see amazing puppetry mixed with new technology and great set design. The technical aspects are great.

Don't see it if Want a good story or music. The plot holes and the uneven pace are infuriating. I wasn’t sold and a technical marvel is not enough to save.

See it if Want a good laugh and don't mind the long run time.

Don't see it if 1. Don't understand a Yorkshire accent. 2. Want a show with some substance. 3. Need a very deep plot.

See it if Want a play about a small group of "rebels" fighting for their beliefs and against war.

Don't see it if Don't want to see another piece about the Vietnam war.

See it if You'd like to see an experimental take of a classic musical. You enjoy smaller venues with a diverse cast and are not looking for A+ singing

Don't see it if You like your classic musicals unaltered.

See it if You love Carole King and are looking to know more about her career.

Don't see it if Don’t like the music of Carole King or musicals like the Jersey boys.

See it if You are looking for some great dancing numbers and a musical classic.

Don't see it if Are expecting some amazing singing. The music drowned the singers even though their voices were good.

See it if You love the original production or movie and are a big fan of Rodgers & Hammerstein. Are looking for a story of redemption/second chances.

Don't see it if Are expecting a fully flushed plot or likeabe characters. Want more than one beautiful song to pull you in.

Also I saw the movie Carousel years ago but had never seen a live production. I tried to watch the lincoln center production recording but turned it off after 5 min. There's something about Carousel that turns me off. Bily Bigelow as a character is problematic, I do not understand him and I do not feel sorry for him and I think that's where the issue lies. Also how these two characters get together and their complicated and off relationship. I saw this as a teenager and now as a full adult woman in the year 2018 I find it antiquated. It's one of those that doesn't stand the test of time. Also, the music doesn't provoke any feelings. There might be one song I like. The characters feel one dimensional. This production cast is stellar and the singing is superb but I only went to see the show because of comp tickets. The set design is gorgeous. But even those two things could not rescue this show for me. Just like Cats it's something I don't enjoy and find overrated.... Read more Read less

See it if You like Idina Menzel and want a play about complicated family relationships.

Don't see it if Don’t like spoiled or shallow characters