See it if You want to see a modern sung-through musical with scattered lines that gracefully and powerfully tackles race dynamics over 50 years
Don't see it if You are looking for something linear or fluffy or fast paced. This is a serious play with a story line that jumps around and takes its time
Also Broadbend Arkansas is two acts - one with the impressive Justin Cunnin... Read more Read less
See it if You are devoted to musical development & interested in assessing talent or understanding what makes this not work as well as similar shows
Don't see it if You are expecting something polished or original
See it if For first class performance by PATRICK J. SSENJOVU If you enjoy serious topics & puzzlingly how you might behave in similar circumstances
Don't see it if You don't enjoy plays about serious matters or questions of ethics
See it if To explore sexual abuse from a deeply personal vantage point To understand shame and need for self-forgiveness experienced by victims
Don't see it if If abuse issues hit too close to home and would trigger trauma or if you are unable/unwillingly to feel compassion for gay victims of abuse
See it if You are willing to confront the hard consequences of race and colorism in family & society. This is a powerful work that holds nothing back
Don't see it if You want something light, if you want happy endings or if you have little appreciation for how skin color impacts opportunity.
Also This is a brave piece of theater - digging in hard to colorism within ... Read more Read less
See it if You like hybrid performance art / traditional theater, this is somewhere in between. If you can hang in for ups and downs - leaves you sad
Don't see it if You are looking for raucus fun or light heartedness - there are moments like that in the first act but somber for much of the play
See it if You enjoy wit - this is a very well written critique of capitalism - done with a unique combo of farce & modern dry / dark humor
Don't see it if You really believe in deregulation, privatization or that capitalism is a great economic system then this is not the play for you
See it if You have appetite for fresh risk taking writing - this play needs serious editing but could be great if the dialogue was more natural
Don't see it if You want something light or you don't have the temperment to see an unfinished / unpolished work Don't see if stage violence would disturb u
See it if You are interested in racial tension & questions of how race defines relationships / if you enjoy a good plot twist
Don't see it if If you want something light - this is a very witty & funny play but it is also sad & full of tension
Also Strong reflection on NYC in the '80s - refers to some of those most tr... Read more Read less
See it if You can forgive questionable writing ling enough to enjoy two fine performances.
Don't see it if You want something fresh, several better plays tackling similar immigrant / refugee stories have been staged over past years in greater NYC
See it if You enjoy great performance - Jason O'Connell is remarkable and George Merrick shows off his skill and experience with great flair
Don't see it if You are looking for a traditional adaptation, this is a cross between Steve Martin's Roxanne and the classic or if you dislike outdoor venue
Also Jason O'Connell & Brenda Withers have written a classy and witty adapt... Read more Read less
See it if You want a great time at a fantastic first class musical Kellie O'Hara still has it ! & Will Chase should win an award for this
Don't see it if Hard to imagine why not to see this production -
See it if You want to learn more about an under celebrated architect of the civil rights movement & to draw connections to current race matters
Don't see it if You are uninterested in efforts to expand human rights & perhaps students of Black history could take issue with some portrayals
Also Great effort by lead actor - he brought several characters (figures fr... Read more Read less
See it if Great performance by Jason O'Connell and timely production of an important play
Don't see it if If you came to see a happy go lucky play you are in the wrong place
See it if You enjoy farce & you can handle rapid fire wit. Strong cast playing demanding roles - lots of dialouge and physical play
Don't see it if U r only in town for a day or 2 - this is for someone who sees a lot of theater - it's not the season's best but it's on the get to list
See it if U r an avid theater goer & appreciate lower cost productions with emerging talent & if u are comfortable with scripts that still need work
Don't see it if You agree with Donald Trump on immigration issues or if you only want to see high caliber shows
Also The plot centers on our immigration detention system & if anything pai... Read more Read less
See it if You want something to bring the grandkids or great grand parents to / if you want to see Black family life normalized in a good way
Don't see it if If you want eitger intense drama or light 💓 ness - this is a recounting of the author's childhood memories. Typical families' ups & downs
Also The author & actress is a polished performer & the staging is great -
See it if You are interested in internal movement dynamics regarding race, class & gender
Don't see it if If you are looking for a story thachronicals how change is made - this is focused on the importance of holistic worldview not change making
See it if You like intense drama - Billie Piper is on fire - if you are interested in contemporary reimagining of Lorca's play
Don't see it if If you would be put off by a radical reinterpretation of the Lorca play or if you want a light night out