See it if you want to familiarize (or reintroduce) yourself with a classic composer who was edgier than you would imagine
Don't see it if you are expecting to hear his standards other than in a medley or are looking for something more modern
See it if you want to see the absorbing, utterly phenomenal revelation that is Joshua Henry in a musical filled w/ songs that grab you & won't let go
Don't see it if you have a problem with an irredeemable villain having so much solo time or you can't put all your attention into 90 minutes of brilliance
See it if you've never been behind the scenes at a busy restaurant or you are a Raul Esparza fan
Don't see it if you expect a resolution at the end or are looking for a meaningful plot
See it if you want to see two legends of theater go head to head with a stellar supporting cast
Don't see it if ambiguity in not just one but several aspects of a plot will annoy/confuse you
See it if you want to see a master at the top of her game and want to be spellbound for 90 minutes
Don't see it if you get triggered easily, are bored by a two-person show with limited props & sets or are looking for an upbeat ending
See it if you are into 'woke' discussions about interracial couples and don't mind being made uncomfortable
Don't see it if you don't want to see full-frontal male nudity or are bothered by non-traditional theatregoers who don't know the standard theatre etiquette
See it if you want to see a history of how females have been held down by men but rise up regardless
Don't see it if you want to see a coherent, fluid show that continually makes sense and is easy to follow
See it if you want to see a top-notch cast bring their A-game in a little known Sondheim show
Don't see it if mild racism offends you or you want a book that is in any way memorable
See it if you want to laugh your butt off at Chekov, which doesn't happen often
Don't see it if you don't like salty language or out of the box staging (and bring a sweater...it really feels like Russia in the theater)
See it if you like slightly off the wall, unique theatre that dissolves like cotton candy
Don't see it if you can't handle screaming tweens and millennial self-absorption
See it if you want to see a compelling story told in a unique, albeit hit-or-miss, way and two fantastic leads
Don't see it if you don't like brief musical interludes, offbeat staging or are looking for an exact imitation of Ruper Murdoch
See it if you want to see great actors and singers in a self-referential, fourth wall breaking performance
Don't see it if you aren't into meta storylines, or preciousness, or up to the minute references that will not age well (ie, Truvada for Prep)
See it if you want to see the theater equivalent of cotton candy - taste good but has no lasting effect.
Don't see it if you are expecting a laugh riot, although there are some very memorable parts and songs.
See it if you like agitprop theater and want to feel like part of the action.
Don't see it if you don't appreciate John Doyle's stagings or a mildly confusing plot about unions.
See it if you have ever wondered what it is like to be in prison or how shockingly easy it is to get in but almost impossible to get out
Don't see it if you are looking for a happy ending
See it if you are a fan of John Larroquette or of short shows
Don't see it if you want something that will stick with you or will resonate as more than a mildly entertaining distraction for a night
See it if you loved Titus Andronicus or are a fan of any of the three stars
Don't see it if you are expecting a laugh riot or an emotional drama; it has some laughs but is generally just a waste of an hour and a half
See it if you like experimental theater and have a full understanding of what you are getting into. It is a LOT to take in.
Don't see it if Full frontal male nudity, cursing or intense male on male sex bothers you; also, if you are in the first few rows, you WILL get wet.
See it if you want to see a legend simply OWN the stage and transform himself into a character thoroughly and completely.
Don't see it if a lot of noise, lights and action are too much for you or if you are looking for a happy ending.
See it if you want to see a somewhat modified version of Mean Girls taken to the extreme
Don't see it if the topics of bullying or death trigger you
See it if you are a fan of August Strindberg or simply want to see an extremely well done show all around
Don't see it if you are bothered by people laughing at inappropriate situations or physical violence
See it if you want to see a master at the top of her game (Kelli) and one of the best dancers out there (Corbin) with classic songs
Don't see it if three hours is too long for you to sit through (it was the first preview, so it may be shorter now) and you get bored during filler scenes
See it if you are a Duncan Sheik or Spring Awakening fan as it definitely has the same feel
Don't see it if you don't like abstract rewritings of a classic, well known story
See it if you want to see how unforseen circumstances can change the outcome of a life
Don't see it if you don't like your life lessons interspersed with humor
See it if you can follow a somewhat convoluted but engrossing plot and want to see unexpcted twists
Don't see it if you can't pay strict attention or are prejudiced against other cultures
See it if you want to see how Baby Frances Gumm became Judy Garland and all she had to go through to get there
Don't see it if you are looking for a Wizard of Oz rehash...there are ruby slippers and some references to it but that's all
See it if you want to see good, albeit unknown, actors for a reasonable price
Don't see it if you are expecting the standard telling of the story
See it if you want to question things you thought you knew as incontrovertible fact and like the intimacy of a two-person show
Don't see it if you are triggered by Holocaust mentions or male nudity
See it if you want to see a shameful part of American history that is being slowly forgotten as well as a master class in acting by the entire cast
Don't see it if you are triggered by racism or violence or are looking for an easy answer and a show all wrapped up neatly at the end
See it if you want to see the ridiculousness of extreme right-wing politics and those same people walk out when they realize they are being called out
Don't see it if you are startled easily, offended by right-wing views (even though they are shown to be idiotic) or can't sit for 2 hours w/no intermission
See it if you want to laugh at a silly, slight piece of fluff where the two supporting characters steal the show from the leads
Don't see it if you are going in with a preconceived, and erroneous, notion of it being transphobic - it is actually empowering to women
See it if you want to see what would happen if Hadestown and Peter Pan had a baby while on meth
Don't see it if you are there for anything other than the music...the plot is trite, the dialogue laughable
See it if you want to see a somewhat taboo subject brought into the light in a fierce and realistic way
Don't see it if nudity offends you or you could be triggered by the subject matter
See it if you are an Audra fanatic or want to see what the controversy is about
Don't see it if you are a prude or are looking for a classic work of art
See it if you want to be dazzled by movie-level special effects, even if you are not a huge HP fan
Don't see it if you don't have at least a passing familiarity with the story or are triggered by scary special effects
See it if you have a literary background or just love the classic novel
Don't see it if you are expecting conventional casting or are bored by Victorian literature
See it if you can follow convoluted storylines and one actor playing two parts
Don't see it if you need linear storytelling that doesn't jump around between time periods
See it if you want great acting mixed with a healthy dose of macabre humor that is unlike anything you've seen.
Don't see it if bloody tampons, dead babies or same sex kissing offend you.
See it if you want to see a masterpiece. Period.
Don't see it if you are looking for a lot of laughs or a happy ending.
See it if you wonder what it is like to always have to look over your shoulder in public or how a great group of friends can heal you
Don't see it if foul language, violence or sexual situations offend you
See it if you have a pulse. It is THAT good.
Don't see it if I got nothin'...everyone needs to see this show. It is perfection.
See it if you are a fan of the movie (but don't need it repeated verbatim) and don't mind some Book of Mormon/Avenue Q type humor.
Don't see it if you are expecting it to be anything like it was in DC. About 80% of it has changed and it's more PG-13 than R now.
See it if you want a master class in acting by the entire cast as well as an obviously perfectly crafted story by a genius.
Don't see it if you can't make it through 3 hours of Shakespearean language or are against gender blind casting.
See it if you want to see a classic in a totally different light. It is just as easy to follow as the English version due to the subtitles.
Don't see it if you can't keep up with the subtitles or aren't familiar enough with the story to not need them.
See it if you are a fan of Next to Normal or Dear Evan Hansen, as it is reminiscent of both
Don't see it if the topic of death triggers you or you are looking for a 'happliy ever after' ending
See it if you are a fan of little known musicals or like to discover hidden gems
Don't see it if you are expecting to be out in under three hours or have a problem with the explicit subject matter
See it if you want to see a Lynn Nottage show that is different from her other works
Don't see it if you expect Act 2 to be as good as Act 1
See it if you want to see a compelling piece of theater that shows the complex ways humans interact
Don't see it if you need the action to start immediately or can't pay attention through slow parts
See it if you want to see a new show reminiscent in tone to Desperate Measures or to laugh your head off
Don't see it if you are easily offended by cursing or certain situations or don't have a warped sense of humor
See it if you loved the movie, grew up on 90s music or want to see the guys steal the show from the girls
Don't see it if you want to see Dove Cameron who calls out frequently, don't like being surrounded by elementary school girls or expect a lot from a show