hw

See it if He is a skillful narrator of his life to a very receptive audience, in the process imparting life lessons w a gentle touch.

Don't see it if It’s a monologue, not a play, by a stand up comedian. It gently nudges the subject of mortality & includes slightly graphic medical detail.

See it if McDonald is extraordinary, and carries the play almost alone. A rare chance to see a beautiful & heartbreaking work by a neglected writer.

Don't see it if The play is not a light evening: it explicitly describes vicious racism, murder, and trauma. It is bitter poetry.

See it if a story of early Chinese immigration to the US, excellently staged, deeply felt & well acted. These stories need telling.

Don't see it if although there are lovely bits of humor, it's mournful & appropriately angry. It's overlong, and some of the language is artificially poetic

See it if excellent version of this sortof odd, infrequently done Sondheim. Ingenious set, terrific voices. It examines the corruption of youthful

Don't see it if you don't like musicals. The plot -it moves in reverse chron order- requires your attention to pick up the details strewn around the plot.

Also dreams and ambitions, and how relationships, however close, can be destroyed. As always, the lyrics are brilliant, the music glorious.... Read more Read less

See it if an exploration of Parks' experiences in the 1st year of Covid. She's a surprisingly good songwriter, great band, It's very moving; painful

Don't see it if you don't want to relive any of the traumas of covid & American [esp police] racism. The show is too long, a bit overstuffed.

Also at some points. But it's also about resilience and coping and the role of art in difficult times.... Read more Read less

See it if a family saga told by a brilliant writer, full of his characteristic amazing wordplay - some of it very funny, but ultimately wrenching.

Don't see it if you can't bear an intense treatment of anti-semitism and the Holocaust. The play moves quickly, stops for no one, and has no intermission.

Also The acting, the stagecraft and the costumes are terrific. This is unquestionably one of his finest works, and it's his most personal.... Read more Read less

See it if This is an approach that has not been done, and needed doing. Performances are excellent.

Don't see it if You haven’t liked Miller, or haven’t liked Salesman. Or you want something diverting or light. It’s not light. And it runs very long.

See it if Lots of good ideas floating in here; O’Connell is always worth seeing; there are funny bits.

Don't see it if nudity bothers you. The show is trying hard but failing to communicate a coherent theme. There’s unnecessarily complicated blocking, stage

Also business and time-shifting, which just distract. It’s more frustrating precisely bc Ruhl has creative ideas here - about sexism, history, class. They just don’t come to fruition.... Read more Read less

See it if To see a fascinating exploration of revenge, forgiveness, atonement, memory. Performances are exemplary. Surprising moments of - humor.

Don't see it if The subject involves violence & the sexual abuse of children; the language is explicit. If that’s too uncomfortable, stay away.

See it if to see a new director's take on an american classic; to experience great writing whose relevance has not faded in a half-century. the

Don't see it if you want fluff. There is humor but it's a portrait of America's racism that remains utterly true today. The director takes liberties -

Also i felt they worked, but many people consider his choices unwise or overdone. I would say: give it a chance. The performances are astoundingly good. Absoutely worth seeing.... Read more Read less

See it if only to see Fiennes - good but not great - or if you want to see everything Hare writes. Perfromances are fine, but the writing is not

Don't see it if the writing is tedious & predictable. I wouldn't mind the historical inaccuracy if the play was entertaining or in some way enlightening,

Also but it is neither. The blocking is artificial and uninteresting, and the music interferes with instead of enhancing the experience. Based on reviews, i expected a terrific show, but even one of the finest actors alive can't redeem it.... Read more Read less

See it if Only if you’re a Bess Wohl completist. Or enjoy any & all troubled teen romance stories.

Don't see it if I usually love Wohl’s plays but this one doesn’t work. Fascinating idea, elaborate set, hard-working actors, but it goes nowhere and

Also says almost nothing.

See it if It’s an extremely creative reinterpretation of the novel. Wildly lively, inventive, musical.

Don't see it if You don’t like rock.The show is extremely overlong, should have been cut substantially. Some of the language & lyrics aren’t intelligible.

See it if You like storytellers, actors, the Irish. It’s a warm, poetic reminiscence of his life that does not spare discussion of the tough realities

Don't see it if You don’t like one man shows, or hearing about poverty or trauma. It’s very funny but it isn’t a light evening.

Also he faced. Byrne is a consummate actor and a marvelous writer, and the show has shaped his memoir into a dramatic format.... Read more Read less

See it if IF you know Chekhov well & are ready for an irreverent, experimental approach. Esp in the beginning there are supremely funny bits.

Don't see it if You aren’t fluent in Chekhov- I can’t imagine why you would like it. As the show proceeds, it becomes more surreal, less comprehensible &

Also less entertaining and insightful.

See it if Bedlam is very creative so there are a few inspired moments, & the performances are generally strong. I am usually a fan. However…

Don't see it if The conception of the production is incomprehensible; much of the 2d half is gratuitously bizarre. It goes nowhere & says little.

See it if Parks is a brilliant writer and it’s a very moving, painful examination of the impact of racism on a pair of brothers. Although the play

Don't see it if very intense and a bit overlong. Strong accents and slang throughout. Though much of the play is v funny, it’s not for the faint of heart.

Also Is 20 years old, there is nothing dated about it (except that 3-card monte is no longer ubiquitous).... Read more Read less

See it if Terrific performances & deeply affecting script. Plot is not perfect (slightly contrived) but very good. Lovely small bits of humor too.

Don't see it if You want something light, or discussion of disability disturbs you. It rewards close attention & focus on complex emotions.

See it if The performances are strong and some of the staging is inventive, but…

Don't see it if The show feels endless; it treads the same ground over & and over; I kept thinking it was done but it would pick up & repeat. Timelines are

Also confused, for no particular purpose. Its observations don’t feel fresh or interesting, and the characters are not people to care much about. The show tries hard, too hard, and I felt pummeled by its attempt to inspire an emotional response it had not earned.... Read more Read less

See it if Arbery is an interesting writer and there are many marvelous moments. The acting is excellent, esp the great Dede O'Connell.

Don't see it if you want to see a very realistic play; it can be confusing & sometimes surreal. The staging is weak.

See it if you want to experience every possible version of the play. I'm not a fan of this Hamlet or the direction but most of the acting is strong.

Don't see it if it's verrry long, the pacing is odd, the tech is unhelpful [enough video already].

See it if to experience a modern interpretation that focuses mostly on the elaborate tech. There are amazing robots & some glorious video.

Don't see it if you want traditional Chekhov. The tech massively distracts from the performances & any emotion. Its function is unclear - WHY robots?

See it if it's a delighftully modern, Black version of Hamlet - respectful yet astonishingly creative. Extremely funny but very thoughtful. You dont

Don't see it if you want to avoid any violence or profanity

Also need to know Hamlet well but if you do, this show will be a deeper experience.... Read more Read less

See it if a very inventive staging of a silly frothy singsongy play, and the actors are terrific & wholly committed to it.

Don't see it if It’s overlong and the script could use cutting. There are better Moliere plays- this one gets tedious in spite of the valiant efforts of all

Also It is delightful to experience theater outside, and for that reason alone (and the price!) it’s worth it.... Read more Read less

See it if It's v moving; the history is little-known & fascinating. The struggles of the women are universal and deeply felt, & there is some humor.

Don't see it if there's violence, both physical and verbal, some of which is imo excessive. The play is long and talky, though all the talk is important.

See it if it is staged as a concert with interludes of Makeba's memories. The music - live band and singers - is great.

Don't see it if the biography feels forced & the format somewhat artificial. some of the dialogue is difficult to hear, esp. over the live music.

See it if it's a sensitive, delicately done meditation, via conversations between 2 people, on parenthood, family & life, and other minor matters...

Don't see it if you're looking for light comedy. it's sometimes quite funny but ultimately very serious about big subjects, as the title indicates.

See it if Childress is an amazing, neglected writer. The play is sad and painful, but not without joy. It should be seen.

Don't see it if if confrontations & discussions about racism make you too uncomfortable.

See it if If - you like a morbid, nasty, sophisticated sense of humor. Not a light comedy in spite of the many laughs- a commentary on justice, maybe.

Don't see it if If stage violence or creepy near-horror freak you out, don’t go. Accents & slang are heavy.

See it if It's a beaitifully, creatively conceived slice of our history, in musical form, that unfortunately is all too relevant a century later.

Don't see it if I saw an early preview - the show is overlong and bogs down at times. It needs a good editor.

See it if It's a play with music (not a musical). Every word is verbatim from real people, and it is utterly heartbreaking - but important.

Don't see it if The subject matter is hard to take and the show pulls no punches.

Also Beautifully stitched together from intterviews, it's compassionate, humane and quietly, intensely angry..... Read more Read less

See it if it's about the lives of Black women in 2 time periods, told in a somewhat surreal way, pungently on point. Both bitter and very funny.

Don't see it if this is vivid social commentary. If that's not appealing, you won't like this show.

See it if it's a serious examination of the impact of factory closings on Black workers in Detroit. Complex & rich; excellent acting and set design.

Don't see it if it's very funny but it's not light. It's sad but not devoid of hope.

See it if astonishingly this 60 year old show about race in the theater is completely apt for this moment. there is humor but it bites, as it should.

Don't see it if if you want fluff. it's funny but not lighthearted.

See it if you like musicals with heart and brain. It's an odd subject but handled well; performances are uniformly strong, and the music is great.

Don't see it if it's sad - about a brief life in a pretty dysfunctional family. if that would depress you, don't go. It's a bit overlong.

See it if only if youre a Nottage completist. There are many laugh lines, though they don't make it a comedy. The actors are good, but the text is not

Don't see it if the tone is indecipherable - weird mix of cheap laughs and melodramatic confession. The metaphor is incomprehensible. It goes on too long.

Also i wanted to love it, and i have loved much of her work. but this play feels wrong, a combination of obvious, almost trite observations, and ill-fitting humor. That said, the audience seemed to love it.... Read more Read less

See it if there are a lot of hardworking talented performers up there. the staging is quite effective, esp the use of video scenes.

Don't see it if the movie worked really well, but this version is not worth your time. the songs are forgettable and the messaging clunky and obvious.

See it if A moving examination of race & poverty, absurdly current [written 20 years ago]. And a wild ride through different musical styles.

Don't see it if This is Not a lighthearted musical. It's funny and vibrant but very serious at heart, and at times somewhat surreal.

See it if It's a gentle, heartfelt portrait of the woman who raised him; multiple characters embodied w great skill; simple but lovely set & music.

Don't see it if you are looking for a big show, or dislike biographical pieces or one-person shows. Or are uncomfortable with the reality of racism.

See it if a 2-hander re siblings dealing with an aging, not very beloved parent. Deeply Irish, sometimes humorous, sometimes serious. Actors terrific.

Don't see it if The writing is not consistently clear, can be confusing. The subject matter is depressing at best. The set is very minimal.

See it if You are up for a painful yet redemptive -and funny- reflection on the dangers & horrors of being a Black male in America.

Don't see it if This is not fluff. It is not escapist. The n word is a major part of the dialogue. Yes there is humor, but it’s not light.

See it if you love Letts. The cast is great, and there are very funny moments. Letts is trying to say something important, and it almost works.

Don't see it if it's talky. It takes a turn toward violence; Letts is trying to disturb the audience, but he goes too far & sabotages his whole point.

See it if a very moving elegy for a partner, an eloquent hymn to her & their relationship. Staging is surprising & effective, the acting amazing.

Don't see it if this is a dirge, a dramatization of a poem, not a play. There's a touch of humor, but not much. It's intellectually taxing.

See it if it's a sentimental yet beautiful portrait of couple-hood and fatherhood in black Memphis. Witty but serious; the acting is extraordinary..

Don't see it if it's a bit long, and the small set cramps the very physical actors. And the accents and slang are tough.

See it if you're up for a concert, not a play. it's a serious subject -yes: death - handled with humor & empathy.

Don't see it if you dislike rock music or are expecting a drama. it's just a singer and band, with some spoken word. the 'set' is pointless & distracting.

See it if a fascinating updating, contemporary version that humanizes Medea without excusing her. Every actor is terrific; the use of video works

Don't see it if you want to avoid a story of deep tragedy and pain. you don't like reworkings of classics.

Also beautifully [and video in theater is often done poorly/pointlessly]. The production is a profound tribute to the original without being shackled by it. .... Read more Read less

See it if Hamill's script has witty moments in her attempt to find contemporary resonance in the classic. The cast works hard with what they're given.

Don't see it if it's overlong; many of the satiric, anachronistic bits don't land. The tone is inconsistent - should we be scared? amused? angry at the

Also misogyny? Her observations are trenchant - it's just that they don't really belong or work well in this particular play. The staging is bare and unhelpful, the scene changes too busy..... Read more Read less

See it if it's a humorous but sharp-edged story about long-term relationships, parents & children, and compromise. Jane Alexander is a wonder.

Don't see it if you want something totally light. As usual, Wohl is cloaking serious observation of human foibles in laughter.

See it if you'd enjoy a delightful, dopey comedy of manners in a visually beautiful, mostly terrifically performed production.

Don't see it if it's quite meaningless and by definition dated. Don't look for profundity or social commentary here.

See it if there's a bit of Bedlam's zaniness but it's also deadly serious. The play is brilliant & the actors' investment in their characters results

Don't see it if this is heavy duty poetry and deep allegory. There is humor but it's not a light diversion - Miller is a genius but he's not fun.

Also in a profoundly moving experience. The real witchery is onstage.