Howard 6306

See it if ...you want to see some early work of a promising playwright/actress I'm sure we'll hear more from in the future.

Don't see it if ...you're easily bored or fidgety. This requires some patience, and the payoff is ho-hum. I loved the set and stagecraft, however, --

Also -- and the ensemble did fine work all around.

See it if ...you want to hear some inspiring music — brass coupled with electronic looping and soulful singing. Also, Elias is very personable.

Don't see it if ...you want a cohesive overall piece. This is too scattershot, though some of the sketches, one in particular, was edgy and hilarious.

Also He's got a beautiful, heartfelt tale of inner struggle to tell, but he hasn't yet brought it to fruition. A stronger director, or just...a director (none was listed anywhere!) could help shape this into something great.... Read more Read less

See it if ...you can go back in time, since it closed. I had to mention it, tho!

Don't see it if No reason not to have seen it, unless you have trouble sitting for the 7+ hours.

Also One of my favorite productions ever, next to the Brian Dennehy-starring Death of a Salesman.... Read more Read less

See it if ...your mother-in-law wants a cute Jewish-themed play — though she will likely not relate to the one (and only really good) song about her.

Don't see it if ...you like a tight story. This one goes on for over ten minutes after its obvious, organic ending. Get thee to a scissor, O playwright!

Also A Bronx cheer for the theater itself, a dark brown, musty hall. At first, I thought the thick mist on stage was a neat special effect for the play. Then I realized it was just continuous clouds of dust for my lungs to eat.... Read more Read less

See it if ...you enjoy "okay" theater that takes time to stop and explain itself.

Don't see it if ...you like a play that doesn't screech to a halt so a monologist can sort of defend what you've just seen.

Also Actors were good, but the whole was a bit of a slog.

See it if ...you've never seen it, and can get discount tics. It's fun!

Don't see it if ...you like eye-filling B'way scenery — this is set up like a nightclub act with just the band as the backdrop.

Also Not a bad note in the show, but do a few cast members seem a bit bored, and are most of the jokes a bit too... nostalgic? Yep. Our Roxie rocked it, though!... Read more Read less

See it if ...you want to see a masterful performance of a difficult piece.

Don't see it if ...you don't like one man shows or like easier, linear stories.

See it if ...you enjoy knowing where the money goes in a B'way production — at least one in particular, the admitted rarity, Hamilton.

Don't see it if ... you're looking to produce a Broadway show. This is more of a teaser for fans.

Also Good fun, but I think our moderator had lots more to impart to us. She let the questioners/commentators take over the hour, and a lots of info didn't make it in. Still, she was interesting and very knowledgable.... Read more Read less

See it if ...you like ambitious, thought-provoking one-man shows with great production values.

Don't see it if ...you don't. (But see it anyway, and your mind might be changed!)

Also Kudos to all involved for taking an allegorical Kafka short story and making a fine feast of it. I loved it.... Read more Read less

See it if ...you like interesting, well-acted theater with a troupe who knows how to make a big story work a tiny space.

Don't see it if ...you dislike discourse of psychology, though it's more about the personal and professional life and times of the lead character.

Also Huge kudos are deserved for all the actresses, some of whom portrayed the male notables of the day. A quibble: wished one 'r two of the highbrow debates were a bit dumbed down for me. ;-)... Read more Read less

See it if ...you enjoy your laughter mixed with much food for thought, and seeing bravura acting from a superb cast.

Don't see it if ...you haven't at least read a synopsis of Part 1. Srsly, I told my play-mate the main plot of the original in about a minute. Go.

See it if you enjoy a solid performer sharing a fun, well-written and directed show with good songs.

Don't see it if you don't like one-man shows, or need a clean ending.

Also Thud of an ending, but an easy fix — reprise the zippy opening song! But that's mostly a niggling detail. Enjoyed it.... Read more Read less

See it if You like a meaty, dark story with good acting.

Don't see it if You don’t like that story told in a protracted manner, thanks to just-serviceable music and odd choices that render it a bit of a slog.

Also Saw an early performance, so they may still cut/reshape. The song about a lawn? The detective’s song’n’dance? The pointless costume interlude? There’s a good show in there somewhere, but it needs major creative direction. We shouldn’t cringe when we hear the opening notes of yet another mediocre song (from a major, celebrated composer!) that brings us nowhere story-wise. That said, the last song was great as was the number by the online pickup character.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy a big, clever, beautifully designed musical with great singing and a terrific villain performance (tho all actors were great).

Don't see it if you need to understand all the lyrics. I couldn't, from the 6th row. One number, with adults scaring kids, was completely over my head.

See it if ...you think two guys acting old, and making fun of themselves for acting old, is a cute idea for more than a ten minute party skit.

Don't see it if ...you're not already huge fans of the stars.

See it if ...you like good, well-acted drama depicting tragic events that can happen to any family — and that are going on today in countless homes.

Don't see it if ...you don't like this sort of thing, but see it anyway! Elaine May is stupendous, and the ensemble is solid.

See it if ...you like Tennessee Williams! This is one of his later little gems. The theater itself adds to the grittiness of the bar life.

Don't see it if You need all actors on the same page. One was supposed to be drunk and living in a trailer, but seemed stone cold sober and Upper West Side.

Also ...Fine ensemble work just the same!

See it if —you'd like a slow show about a couple struggling to make a movie while navigating their cliched, uninspiring relationship.

Don't see it if —you need to see reasons why this couple might love each other. The show mistakes their goal developments for character development.

Also There's a gripping 10-minute monologue here, beautifully delivered by the leading lady, about a trained lion's actions during a horrible fire in Dreamland. It ends abruptly, however, and back we go to the dull relationship story. Overall, the production is a huge missed opportunity to present an engrossing tale about, well, a fire in Dreamland. The tease is solidly in place, but its embers die out far too quickly.... Read more Read less

See it if ...you want to see a bravura actress (Ms. Jackson!) at the top of her game. Her stage mates were terrific, too.

Don't see it if ...You need an easy, spoon-fed story. This ditty has meat on its bones, and may leave you discussing and figuring out its finer points.

Also Really enjoyed it. NY theater at its best.

See it if ...you want to see a fine production of a classic Ionesco play. Comedy and darkness all under one roof.

Don't see it if ...you need an easy-to-understand story. I enjoyed discussing and reading up on its underlying themes/meanings afterwards.

See it if ...you like gripping, well-staged plays about relevant, genuine fears — guns and troubled gun owners, in this case.

Don't see it if ...you like your plays spoon-fed, or not open to interpretation. There was a daring theatrical element to it that begs discussion.

See it if ...you enjoy solid acting and an interesting, personal tale well told! Fine voyeuristic entertainment.

Don't see it if ...you need a great deal of depth. This is an engrossing, nicely directed story, but light on meaning and resonance.

Also A return to high quality from the Vineyard! Last show I enjoyed there before this was "Gloria."... Read more Read less

See it if ...you'd enjoy knowing about the relationship between two great men, and disparate yet valid natures of creativity.

Don't see it if ...you don't enjoy two handers that seem too long even at 75 minutes.

Also The opening third was terrific, realistic, and thought provoking, The second part became less focused, and the direction increasingly static. The ending tableau...ummm..... But the acting was spot-on throughout, and the set was gorgeous.... Read more Read less

See it if ...you enjoy an uplifting story, but don't mind being yelled at via music and lyrics.

Don't see it if ...you want a show with more varied music, some quieter moments.

Also I know I'm in the minority here, but I found the music kind of shrill and increasingly irritating. I enjoyed the opening number, tho, and the staging was like a beautifully executed magic trick. Bravo to the actors.... Read more Read less

See it if ...you already have tickets or if you really like the fine Amber Tamblyn, who gamely plows through long monologues here.

Don't see it if ...you like a 90-minute play that isn't a slog for the 1st hour.

Also On the bright side, I did enjoy the last half hour. It's just that the first 2/3rds shouldn't have been like a monotonous audio book.... Read more Read less

See it if ...you want to experience great stars at the top of their form. Also if you enjoy great design, style, and wit.

Don't see it if You need a deep, absorbing story. This is mostly a paint-by-numbers account of the literal spring and fall of two groundbreaking women.

Also That said, I found it very entertaining!

See it if ...bang-you-over-the-head comedy is your thing. You don't mind 30% of a show's jokes landing, and the rest being somewhat embarrassing.

Don't see it if ...you don't want to feel bad for 6 good actors, working very hard with an okay script, and topical references alone substituting for jokes.

See it if ...you're a fan of classic humor, bits of business, and low-comedy theatrics...and great character actors at the top of their game.

Don't see it if ...you're not a fan of three-hour plays, and a show that reeeeally takes its time to get going. But you will be amply rewarded.

Also It ain't Shakespeare, it's a lark. They should have had the cojones to take a red pen to the first act.... Read more Read less

See it if you don't mind Acts 1 & 2 having completely different tones (farce, drama). It felt as if there was directorial infighting, and nobody won.

Don't see it if you like one cohesive play. Act Two comes together as a nice family drama, however, and the lead actor seems better attuned to it.

See it if ...you like well-written drama and fine acting.

Don't see it if ...you're looking for ground-breaking theater.