Ile F.

See it if You want to see a modernized version of a classic.. You like R & H, you want to witness talented singers perform

Don't see it if You like classic musicals to keep their original charm. I understand the modern take they wanted to achieve, but it didnt quite do it for me

See it if You like 80's rock and want to feel nostalgic when listening to those songs, you like silly shows and want to have fun.

Don't see it if You dont know/ don't like any of the 80's rock songs. The whole appeal of the show is the songs, because the plot is pretty meh, very cliche

See it if You like fun, well produced musicals. You liked the movie. You want to laugh and have fun at the theater. It's funny, silly and entertaining

Don't see it if Laughing at death makes you uncomfortable, dislike the Beetlejuice character or hate silly jokes/adult humor

Also The staging and production in this show is amazing! I absolutely loved the set and the effects, definitely Broadway-worthy in my opinion and well worth the trip to see it just because of that.
While it doesnt stick to the same plot of the movie, i definitely think movie fans will enjoy it, it has the characters you love and that fun/weird quality to it. That being said, you will still enjoy it and understand it if you have never seen the movie.
Alex Brightman's performance was wonderful... Read more Read less

See it if You want a reenactment of the last years of Johnson's presidency by incredibly talented actors. You want to learn about this time period

Don't see it if You cant stay focused/seated for long periods of time (3hs), you dont like political plays, have no interest in the late 60's

Also I have to admit i was not initially interested in the show, and knew just the basics about this period of time. That being said I am glad i saw it, i found it interesting and even educational. The actors are amazing, and they kept my interest throughout it. I enjoyed it!... Read more Read less

See it if You want to listen to a true story about life behind bars

Don't see it if You are expecting it to focus on the racial inequality of the justice system and white privilege. It was the goal but didnt quite do it 4 me

Also I think it is very brave and ambitious for the writer to tell his own story and present himself on stage... However, given the title i thought it would touch more so on the topic of race and incarceration, and i felt it didnt. It is sprinkled on but it feels a little forced for me. It is a good portrayal of the writer's own experience behind bars and i think that in itself makes a good story, but if the goal was to make a point i dont think it does.
Given the fact that his charge was manslaughter for driving under the influence i was hoping it touched a little bit more on the dangers of that, but it didnt either.

Good show, great performance. But it is a story, not a show with a message in my opinion.... Read more Read less

See it if You are interested in the topic, want to see a powerful performance on a very sad and relevant issue

Don't see it if You want a happy show, violence against women triggers you or you don't want to hear any Spanish

Also I thought it was a great performance. Reading other reviews i can see why some may have been confused at times. I knew about the topic previously and I do speak Spanish, so I dont know how much that affects my appreciation for the show.
It's a tough topic, and i usually dislike solo shows but i really liked how this one moved along.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see the actors. Yes, they are amazing

Don't see it if You dont like long plays with a lot of dialogue or are looking for an uplifting story (i get it's a 'love story' but its frustrating at time

Also ... yes, it reflects a very real aspect about relationships but i found it a bit difficult to empathize with the Johnny character. Reading other reviews i can see some people see him more as annoying and creepy rather than a hopeless romantic.. I also feel like it's a bit too long, I got a bit restless by the end (there was also an incident at the theater close to the end of the 1st act, which caused for a delay of almost 30 min, so i may have felt different had that not happened- which of course is not the theater or the performer's fault!)... Read more Read less

See it if You love Star Wars and are familiar with the whole franchise (see comments) You enjoy silly shows

Don't see it if You dont know anything about SW or have seen the movies ages ago (see comments). You want a big production

Also I had seen the originals and the prequels a looong time ago, but felt i was familiar with the overall story. That being said, i didnt get a lot of the references in the show (a lot of quotes and jokes that Star Wars fans seemed to enjoy). So if you're a big fan i think you'll enjoy the show, it's a cute treat. If you're not, you won't get a lot of it. (I got a free ticket through Show-Score, i probably wouldn't have bought it myself).
It's silly, kind of a teenage humor type of show. It was funny but still a little dumb in my opinion (again, perhaps if you get all the jokes and references it's more enjoyable)
That being said, the Hamilton parody style song for the prequels was brilliant! Best part of the show and im happy i got to see it. Along with the costumes, that song made it worth it.... Read more Read less

See it if You appreciate great performances in theater, amazing work by the actors! You like plays based on history, specifically holocaust

Don't see it if You want to see something happy. This is a sad show, thought provoking and well done but no happy endings here.

See it if You love classic musicals. This has outstanding vocal performances and amazing choreography. It's everything a musical should be!

Don't see it if You hate musicals, that's it. I see no flaws!

See it if You like Sondheim, or you enjoy classic musicals. You want a fun night at the theater. I was not familiar with the musical and loved it

Don't see it if You dont like musicals, you have a hard time paying attention to slightly complicated plots.

Also I heard a lot about the book being 'confusing' due to the fact that it goes back in time, but I found it very easy to follow. I had never seen a production of this show, so i have nothing to compare it to but I really enjoyed it, I had a great time.... Read more Read less

See it if You love the movie, you will love it even more! You like fun musicals, want to laugh and have a good night out, if you like Tina Fey's work

Don't see it if You absolutely hated the movie, prefer plays, dont like comedies.

Also I was a huge fan of the movie, so i had very high expectations for this show, and i can say they were met and exceeded!! Although it is based on the movie and has some clear lines from it, i think it stands on its own as a musical, you don't need to know the movie to fully enjoy this show.
It is funny and the performances are great, i had a fantastic time from beginning to end. You can tell this is Tina Fey's work, it has her sense of humor and like most of her work there is always something funny happening in the background, i want to see it again already!... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see Michael C. Hall, he's fabulous. You like existential, unique type of solo shows.

Don't see it if You want a plot or a show that follows a certain direction. If you get distracted easily, this is a monologue that is hard to follow

Also As amazing as his performance was, i felt confused. Perhaps i need to be more involved with these type of shows but i read a lot of reviews saying it made you 'think about life' but i felt i really didn't get anything out of this show (aside from the entertainment a great performer brings)... Read more Read less

See it if You want a fun, different type of show. You enjoy burlesque, acrobatics, ballet and a little kink in your show.

Don't see it if You're uncomfortable with nudity or are expecting a story or the nutcracker. There are a few numbers of the ballet but not really

Also This is a fun show. The dancers and singers are incredibly talented, unless you're a huge prude you will leave this show with a smile on your face!!... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see an incredible production. Michael Urie is AMAZING in this! You will laugh, you will cry and you will love it.

Don't see it if You are homophobic or dont want to sit through a nearly 3 hour play (you don't feel it though! it's worth it!)

See it if you liked the music from the animated movie, like the story, want to see a sweet and fun show.

Don't see it if You want the exact movie magic experience in theater. They changed a few things about the plot (villain) so i felt a tiny bit disappointed

Also Amazing costumes and staging! I loved the animated movie so i was very excited to see this show, but i think i expected a little more from it...... Read more Read less

See it if You want to laugh and have a good time at a show. You like original musicals.

Don't see it if You want a serious show or dont like silly comedies.

See it if You like jukebox musicals, you like the music of Frankie Valli (obviously) or you enjoy musicals with amazing singing

Don't see it if You dont like musicals or the music of Frankie Valli and the 4 seasons

See it if You are looking for a fun night out on the theater, like to laugh, you want to see something original (ish), you are from NJ

Don't see it if You want something profound, a drama, or a show that gets you thinking. This show's aim is for you to have a good time. (i did!)

Also While the story itself is a little cliche, i had a good time. It has some good jokes, good performances and it pokes fun at itself.
With so many jukebox musicals and musicals based on movies/tv out right now, it is refreshing to see something new and original. If you want to have fun, go see it!... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see the actors, you want to support the playwrite.

Don't see it if You want a coherent plot or are expecting the show to address issues like privilege and lgbt ( it tries, but fails in my opinion)

Also The first 5 minutes of the show have a small introduction by 2 lgbtq actors, and i got really excited thinking their dialogue was a reflection of what was coming ... It was not. I don't know if it was just me, but I feel like the show had no point. It tried to introduce topics like mental health, gender issues and race, but with no conclusion or final point to it. It was funny at times and the actors were great, but I got nothing out of it.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a brilliant musical revival. The costumes, the set and the actors are all amazing!

Don't see it if You want to see a new musical, or dont like musicals/long shows (nearly 3hs long) see below for comments on seating

Also I would have given this show a perfect 100, it certainly deserves it BUT they do not warn you about restricted view seating. I was in the far right orchestra section and part of the scenery blocked my view for nearly half of the show, including some major musical numbers. This really bothered me and made me quite angry. With the price of these tickets you should be able to see all of the actor's performances or they should warn you before buying the tickets. (I mean the whole ending scene is pretty much all based on Harry Hadden-Paton's body language and face expression and i had to pretty much stretch onto my neighbor's seat to barely see it)... Read more Read less

See it if You like the movie, like Disney, love big shows with big effects. LOVED the staging and lighting effects!

Don't see it if You hate Disney, Frozen or happy, funny shows. Dont see it If you're looking for something with deep substance (its a kids movie!)

Also It stays true to the movie, adding a bit of Broadway magic. The effects and costumes are pretty cool, it made me laugh and the singing was great as well.
A lot of people warn about going if you hate kids... Yes there were a lot of children in the theater but i didn't think it was as bothersome as some reviews make it out to be.. (i have no patience and no kids of my own, i still enjoyed the show). Perhaps just avoid a matinee...... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy thought provoking shows, have an interest in story lines about people with disabilities, focusing on deafness.

Don't see it if You want an easy to understand plot, elaborate staging or a musical.

Also I was not familiar with this show/ story before this production. The acting was amazing, however the plot struggled to come together for me.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy shows with Jewish humor and LGBTQ topics. It was a sweet and cute story. Made me laugh and made me cry.

Don't see it if You are expecting a story about Harvey Milk, it feels like he is very much a background character.

Also Loved the finale, but I feel like it took way to long to get there. While some of the songs are good, and I am a musical lover myself, I think the show would be much more successful as a play.... Read more Read less

See it if You like plays about middle aged couples re-living the past

Don't see it if You don't want a slow moving play (with no intermission) or are looking for a clear, happy ending

See it if You want to see a great performance by a talented set of actors. You enjoy deep, heartbreaking stories. Kept me interested throughout it!

Don't see it if You want to see a comedy, a musical or a big elaborate set. The staging is minimal but brilliantly well used!

See it if You are familiar with the books/movies, you like YA stories, you want to get your kids into musicals

Don't see it if You want an adult-aimed show, You want a big production (this is more like a High school production with a very big budget)

Also I honestly went in not being familiar at all with the books and did not know what to expect... when i saw it was written by the same people as Be More Chill i was worried (that show was torture for me) however, despite it being similar to BMC, i actually enjoyed this one. It's got a better story and not as cliched or dumb. The songs arent really memorable but I had a good time, its a cute show. I do have to say, i would not pay full price for it (I got a comp ticket) it does not deliver Broadway-price quality.
Gotta give it up for the actors, I think its pretty amazing what they accomplished with such a small cast.
Bring your kids, the ones around me seemed pretty excited.... Read more Read less

See it if You want a silly, fun night at the theater. You like slapstick and physical comedy

Don't see it if You want a clever, thought provoking comedy or hate slapstick. Get annoyed at audience laughter/4th wall breaks (it happens sometimes)

Also Im not a huge fan of slapstick but I had a good time! Yes its silly and ridiculous at times but you will still laugh. I have to say the whole show is incredibly witty and clever, the staging and actor's performances are so well timed and not always appreciated as they should! Definitely a unique show!
The audience can get a little loud (at least the performance i was at), which is good for the show i guess but if that annoys you be wary of it...... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoyed 'Nanette' and like quirky humor. You want a different stand up show that tackles current issues (i.e. patriarchy)

Don't see it if You hated Nanette, want a stand up show that is all jokes and no substance. Get uncomfortable when talking about sexuality, anti-vax, autism

Also I absolutely love Hannah Gadsby, ever since Nanette i was interested in her style and humor. She does not disappoint in this show, she is funny, educational, humble and unapologetic. As she says so herself, this show has less 'trauma' than Nanette, but still heartwarming.... Read more Read less

See it if You have never seen the Office

Don't see it if You want to see a funny parody of an amazing show that deserved better. More thoughts below..

Also I saw the Friends Musical Parody and absolutely loved it, so i was very excited to hear the creators were writing one for The Office.
I was highly disappointed, it gave me the impression that the writers were big fans of Friends and just watched the Office once then decided to milk the parody. I dont think the musical show captured the essence of the characters, i think it missed important things that make The Office such an amazing TV series. I didnt laugh and thought for the most part it was kind of stupid.
Kudos to the actors that played Dwight and Jim, they nailed it. Other than that the performances were ok.
Also as a side note... the show i attended had the swing actress for Angela, they have a wig for every single character but they couldnt get a blonde wig for her? The actress had pitch black hair. It was just an added thing that bothered me.... Read more Read less

See it if you want a musical about teen angst and high school. Though i would recommend you see Mean girls or DEH instead

Don't see it if You want a quality musical, expect Broadway quality or dont want to see a played-out cliche

Also I really dont know what the hype is all about with this show. It certainly had a lot of fans in the audience and i could see the stage door filled up real quick. I love musical theater and enjoy silly, dumb stories but this one was a bit disappointing.
Overall, i would describe it as "meh"... the story was ok, the music wasnt memorable, no stand out set or choreography. The characters are the most basic cliches- the mean popular girl, the jock, the geek and the weird theater girl... it seemed very played out and almost boring. I wanted to see what the hype was all about and i got a very cheap ticket, i am very glad i didnt pay full price.... Read more Read less

See it if You like the company xiv productions. Want a fun, sexy and entertaining show.

Don't see it if You are looking for a plot, it is a series of performances based on Alice.. beautifully done but not a clear plot. You dislike burlesque

Also Company xiv never disappoints!!! I have an excellent time every time i see these wonderful performers. If you're not sure if it's your thing, I recommend checking out their Instagram page.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to hear a well written, impacting point of view on the US Constitution and how it impacts people in a positive and neg way.

Don't see it if You have an issue with topics like abortion, domestic violence, politics and the privilege of white men in control. you dislike solo shows

Also I have to admit at first glance this show didn't seem appealing to me, however, it surprised me. Although it drags on a little bit in the middle (100 min, no intermission) it is definitely not a boring show. The way she wrote it and the flow of the show really keeps your attention. Her stories are relevant and touching. You really leave the show with a lot on your mind and it keeps you thinking days on after.... Read more Read less

See it if You like to laugh! Definitely laughed out loud more than a few times. The actor's performances were amazing. Santino as always a delight

Don't see it if You dont like musicals or are looking for something with a message (it has one, but i feel the aim here is to entertain rather than educate)

Also I watched the movie yeaaaars ago, so i knew the basics but forgot a great part of it, which shows you don't need to have seen the movie to enjoy it.
It's a fun night out, I plan to take my mom (who loved the movie) when she visits. It's touristy, but still enjoyable for locals as well!... Read more Read less

See it if You like raunchy comedies, want to see great performances by talented women

Don't see it if You want a big production

Also The individual performances by the actresses were really amazing. However, I felt the plot to be a little all over the place, perhaps because there were so many characters to explore in such a small production. I enjoyed it, but felt it could be tweaked here and there ...... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see an amazing performance by Debra Jo Rupp, you enjoy a thought provoking debate and moving plays. It is sweet and funny.

Don't see it if You are not open minded or are uncomfortable with LGBTQ or religious themes. This play shows both sides really well and empathizes with both

See it if You like comedy stand up shows and want to listen to a fresh and funny critique of the issues the US struggles with.

Don't see it if You don't like one man shows or don't want to hear about politics.

Also He takes on both sides politically, so it is balanced out. However you have to be open to laugh at the critique, if you take your politics way to seriously you might not enjoy it, but perhaps you should see it anyway to lighten up your mood!!... Read more Read less

See it if You want a well performed, well written and profound play. You like dramas and stories that touch your heart. It's sweet but heartbreaking

Don't see it if You want a comedy or a musical. You are uncomfortable with themes like gay marriage, family issues or tragedy.

See it if you like the Go-Go's, you want to have fun, like silly musicals or want to see a show with lgbtq representation

Don't see it if You are looking for a profound plot or dislike old-English style dialogue. I had fun, but i was also very confused for the 1st 20 min

See it if You want to see an original play with some great acting

Don't see it if You want to see a big production or are uninterested in new plays

See it if You want to learn about consciousness in an original way and if you like rap music. Ted talk + Rap

Don't see it if You don't like solo shows, rap music or want a play/musical for purely entertainment, this one you have to think and pay attention.

Also Baba is very talented, the show is definitely original and he's a good performer... I do have to say i felt a little bit back at school, so if you don't want to learn about new topics then this isn't for you. I think it's great for students though, there were a couple in the audience.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see amazing performers and appreciate the male body and the art of dance. You want a unique and fun theatrical experience

Don't see it if Half naked men dancing with other men in tutus and high heels makes you uncomfortable. You want dialogue or dislike artistic performances

Also Had an amazing time in this show!! It is beautifully choreographed and all the performers are so talented! If you like ballet, opera and burlesque all put together, you cannot miss it! The venue is beautiful as well... Read more Read less

See it if You want to hear a wonderful actress tell the story of her obstacles and triumphs with her image as a Hollywood actress

Don't see it if You don't like story telling shows or solo shows (although i usually don't and I loved it!)

Also Amazing performance!! It has heart, it is funny and I found her anecdotes absolutely delightful!!! Do not miss this show!!!!... Read more Read less

See it if You are familiar with the book/movie and want to see it live with you being part of it.

Don't see it if You don't want a naked man right on your face, you get uncomfortable with audience interactions or any of the topics on the warning advisory

Also Actors were brilliant, it's a small, simple set but the show is great. I had seen the movie years ago so I kinda knew what it was about , but the accents made it hard to understand.
Audience interaction and splash zone is warned before hand, but if you are thinking "that's ok I'll sit in the back" I suggest getting there early, when i got there they assigned you a seat.... Read more Read less

See it if You like abstract/original type of shows (ie. miming/puppetry). It is a different type of performance, but nonetheless enjoyable.

Don't see it if You want a plot, a big production or are uncomfortable with silence (all you hear are pretty much the audience reactions here and there)

Also Slow and quirky at times but very visually beautiful at others. The performers do a great job.
if you decide to see the show PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONE. It is bad enough to hear a phone on Any performance, but in one that is known for being silent, it is 100 times more annoying to hear the ping or chime from a phone. Ugh. Happened at least 5 times when i saw it.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to watch a funny performance by talented people. It's a fun satire into the theatre world.

Don't see it if You are looking for a big performance or a big production. You dont like shows that poke fun at certain issues (privilege, lgbt)

Also There are a lot of references and inside-jokes into the theatre industry, so if you dont know a ton about it, you might not find it as funny. That being said, I am (just) a theatre fan and do not work in anything even closely related to the industry and i still found it funny.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy fast paced plays with some historical background/inspiration

Don't see it if You don't know anything about the show, the historical figures it mentions or The importance of being Ernest. You will be VERY confused.

See it if You love Rock music (80's mostly), love classical music and would like to see them combined and live. You want to have fun at a rock concert

Don't see it if You want a Show (play/musical). This is a CONCERT by awesome musicians. You hate classic rock or classical music

Also I had a great time!! If you are a fan of Journey, Queen, and love all the classic rock hits you'll have a great time. If you enjoy covers like the ones performed by David Garrett or 2cellos you'll definitely enjoy it.
People in the audience were dancing and having a great time.

If you want a quiet night at the theater skip it, it is loud.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy meaningful plays, Like writing that leave you thinking or are a fan of the actors.

Don't see it if You prefer a fast paced show or have a short attention span, I feel like it could be 20 min shorter

See it if You love Jimmy Buffett (you dont have to tho), you want a happy, fun night at the theater with a show to unwind and just have fun!

Don't see it if You want a show with a deep, thought provoking story line. Its a very cliche rom-com type of story line but can be enjoyed nonetheless

Also If you want to have fun, laugh, sing along (in a theater adequate way of course) or just enjoy a performance, I definitely recommend it.
If you are a Jimmy Buffett fan this is a must see, however if you dont know any of his songs, it is still an enjoyable and fun show.
The whole basis of this musical is how some people need to learn to sit back and enjoy life! And that is exactly the attitude you need to watch this show, if you want something deep and meaningful, you are overthinking it. Just go have fun!... Read more Read less