Jane 7047

See it if you would like a pleasant evening in beautiful surroundings

Don't see it if You would regret missing the subtleties in Shakespeare's play

See it if You crave relevant drama from a master who knows his subject - tyranny - first hand: the reality of oppressed life and ambiguity of action.

Don't see it if you prefer "on the nose", "tyranny is bad" plays.

Also Havel's memory may have faded here in the 50 years since he not only experienced oppression in his native Czechoslovakia, but played an important role in ending it. Still, I wish his 3 one-acts had not been bookended by short exercises by Pinter and Beckett (names sure to attract a crowd), which only showed off, to my mind, how much stronger a dramatist Havel really was.... Read more Read less

See it if you are a friend of one of the actors.

Don't see it if You don't like rants against our ranter in chief, declaimed without subtlety, humanity, humor (except for the "flaming gay" shtick).

Also Where is Colbert when you need him?

See it if You like good writing, want to see an acting tour de force (Pan). There are some very intense moments.

Don't see it if The play is perhaps 10% too long, some of the acting is a little limp, and the endings of the various conflicts are somewhat forced.

See it if You like to watch talented singers and actors doing their thing.

Don't see it if you plan to stay for the 2nd act, which is 2x as long as it should be, and very depressing.

Also Given the writer's excellent ear for dialog and ability to strike emotional chords, I have faith that a ruthless rewrite will produce a terrific play.... Read more Read less

See it if If you are nostalgic for well known songs from old musicals.

Don't see it if you are expecting an experience like "South Pacific"

Also The biggest problem with this show is the script - only a device to hang songs and production numbers on. That would be fine, except that the show pretends to deal with serious issues (all of which are resolved by a song) and there is an creeping fog of despair that hangs over everything.... Read more Read less

See it if you like a fluffy comedy and have a couple of hours to while away.

Don't see it if It isn't one of David Ives' best work, so if you've seen a good production of The Liar, you'll be a little disappointed.

See it if you are a Jimmy Buffet fan and want a pleasant evening

Don't see it if you don't like songs that have clever lyrics but pretty much sound all the same.

See it if you are curious about this quirky corner of history.

Don't see it if you saw "Farinelli, the castrato" movie

Also The play ads nothing to the movie except some clever dialogue, and the audience found this funny from time to time; but there is nothing to grab the emotions. In the movie, the climax as well comes when Farinelli eschews the spectacular style of singing that brought him his fame (not so spectacular here, by the way) in favor of a beautiful and simple Handel aria. In the movie, though, he earns that moment - here it is just presented like a breakfast egg in a diner.... Read more Read less

See it if Diaghilev and Nijinsky fascinate you and you are happy to see them on stage.

Don't see it if you like a play that is emotionally compelling, or funny, or goes deeply into the souls of some very interesting persons

See it if you agree with the sentiments (not hard to do - collectivization in Soviet Union was murderous)

Don't see it if You are expecting a sensitive performance of what might be a good play

Also When every line of dialogue is given by every character with exactly the same degree of (high) intensity, it is very hard to tell what any character feels about anything, or what if anything, is going on.... Read more Read less

See it if You like watching Katherine Chalfant do what she can even with limp material.

Don't see it if you ever read "When Wendy Grew Up", Barrie's own much more affecting sequel.

See it if You want an enjoyable evening watching two Bway greats do their thing.

Don't see it if You have expectations of original or compelling dialogue or music

See it if for Anouilh's version of the classic.

Don't see it if you have high expectations

Also First of all, there was not one note of Honegger's music in the show; instead the actors sang various more-or-less irrelevant Verdi arias (and one Purcell), well sung except for Creon's "ella giammai m'amo" from Don Carlo, which was exquisite and very moving.
Anouilh's text has held up surprisingly well and it is good to hear it again.... Read more Read less

See it if you would like an interesting take on Hamlet, speak Farsi, or want to connect emotionally with the characters.

Don't see it if You don't know the plot. Several crucial scenes are in Farsi - of course no problem if you speak the language.

See it if you have nothing else to do and want an amusing evening.

Don't see it if you've ever seen "Marriage of Figaro" at the Met.

Also The concept is clever, the singing is surprisingly good, the chamber ensemble is sweet and unobtrusively supportive, but you sit in your seat wishing you were hearing a Mozart's music delivered by a real orchestra and the world class vocal stars just one mile uptown.... Read more Read less

See it if you like Chekhov. The show is faithful to the original, and the second half was quite moving.

Don't see it if No reason not to see it.

Also The Russian Art Theatre excels at ensemble work, and their version of Three Sisters begins in a lively name-day party and ends in chaos and bleak resignation.
What I missed was the foreshadowing that Chekhov wrote into the first acts. All that chaos has its roots in what went before, and that gets lost amidst all the play and laughter.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to be entertained with great music and dance.

Don't see it if you have the flu. Stay home and take care of yourself.

See it if If you like to be challenged.

Don't see it if you're looking for a funny show, or one that echoes your own beliefs.

Also This show has a world-view possibly more bleak than King Lear and yet it holds the audience on the edge of our seats.... Read more Read less

See it if You go to the theater to be entertained.

Don't see it if you have the flu.

Also Delicious dialogue, energetic acting, lovely costumes, plot with enough twists to pull corks from wine bottles.... Read more Read less