Jessie Jaimes

See it if you want to see an intense story about the life of a black author in 1949. Audra McDonald absolutely steals the show.

Don't see it if you want to avoid discussions of heavy topics like discrimination, unhealthy relationships, and murder or want to see fancy sets/costumes.

Also I saw this show during invited dress. I have never been in a more responsive audience — every twist and reveal brought gasps through the house.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a masterful one-man rendition of the classic holiday tale. The sets and lighting take Mays' performance to the next level.

Don't see it if you have a hard time distinguishing many characters played by one actor, or want something fast-paced and flashy. (TW: Sudden loud noises.)

See it if you want to see a brilliant cast bring a tight-knit religious community's intimate drama to life. Mare Winningham is an absolute delight!

Don't see it if you are offended by criticism of religious guilt or depictions of the LGBT community, or are looking for fancy staging as this is barebones.

Also I saw this production with understudies Benjamin Howes and Lee Harrington as Baldy O'Shea and Mrs. Curtin, respectively. Both were wonderful — Howes' rendition of "The Cuddles Mary Gave" was particularly soft and moving.... Read more Read less

See it if you are looking for a show packed full of humor and heart that's about living in the moment and making the best of what you've got.

Don't see it if you aren't a fan of larger-than-life charicatures, want a serious/realistic story, or are looking for a show touting perfect morals.

See it if you are a Harry Potter fan and want to experience some real-life magic. The illusions are brilliantly convincing and the humor lands.

Don't see it if you want a good script — this show is the epitome of tell-don't-show expositional dumps — or you aren't an HP fan. This doesn't stand alone.

Also While the script was questionable at best, it would be an utter, blatant lie to say I wasn't having the time of my life at this show. As someone who grew up with Harry Potter, watching this show was like stepping into my childhood dream of attending Hogwarts for 3.5 hours. The whole theatre is super immersive, featuring Hogsmeade treats, photo-ops, and interactive AR experiences. The stage magic is 100% worth seeing and the biggest draw of the play — it's entirely convincing and makes you truly believe some wizardry is happening before your eyes. The scene changes were fun as well — choreographed movements to songs by Imogen Heap (a weird band choice that somehow works) make certain that there's never a dull moment on stage. And don't get me started on how charming, funny, and endearing Scorpius is — I now have a new favorite Broadway character to throw on the pile! Overall? What this show lacks in writing, it makes up for in personality. It's like a warm hug!... Read more Read less

See it if you'd like to see a brilliant cast, clever staging and beautiful costumes, wonderful choreography, and Lin's lyrical talent shine.

Don't see it if 3 hours is too long for you, you aren't a fan of rap music, or you want 100% accurate historical works. (TW: gunshots, death)

See it if you want a brilliant fresh take on a classic musical. Comedy lands, voices shine, and message is well integrated. Can't recommend enough!

Don't see it if you'd avoid a classic show used to send a current political message, don't like gender/race commentary, or old stories bore. (TW: slavery)

Also Fingers crossed for a cast recording — they've got talent!

See it if you are a fan of the classic story or want to see some clever prop work. The actor playing Quijote was particularly wonderful in the role.

Don't see it if you aren't already familiar with Don Quijote or fluent in Spanish — the translation device broke multiple times — or you want Broadway.

Also This would have scored higher if it weren't for the technical issues. I took a friend with me who is neither familiar with the story nor speaks the language and he couldn't follow a thing once the translator glitched.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to experience the raw thoughts and feelings of a fat, gay, Black man trying to make a fulfilling living in NYC. Performers shine!

Don't see it if candid, sometimes profane discussions of topics such as race, religion, sex, family, and more would offend. No clear-cut happy ending.

Also I saw this production featuring understudy Kyle Ramar Freeman as Usher. Wonderful work!... Read more Read less

See it if you want to be spellbound by a master storyteller. Characters are distinct and the music and lighting take the experience to the next level.

Don't see it if you don’t like one-man shows, only enjoy musicals, are looking for something serious with no fluff, or want flashy sets/costumes.

Also I’ve been to a couple of one-man shows before, and Jason Woods is definitely the most masterful storyteller I’ve seen. His acting was PHENOMENAL. No sets, no props, no costumes, just one man on an empty stage for 90 minutes telling an amazing story through artful descriptions of scenes, distinct character voices, and clever lighting/sound design. He had everyone roped in from the jump, so much so that when plot twists happened, people actually audibly gasped. It was just the kind of lighthearted thing I needed and was a totally spellbinding experience.... Read more Read less

See it if you love the original production, like creative takes on fairytales, or are looking to see a goofy family show with powerhouse vocalists.

Don't see it if you can't follow songs with fast tempos, aren't a fan of classic fairytales, or want a wholly serious show. (TW: death, mild violence)

See it if you want to see a classic novel come to life on stage. Scenes of intense pain are wonderfully interspersed with streaks of wit and humor.

Don't see it if stories about war, religion, rape, and human suffering are too much to handle. This show gets intense. (TW: haze)

See it if you want to experience something truly magical. Performances range from ballet to opera to silks and everything in between. Captivating!

Don't see it if you can't handle nudity or religious themes. (TW: haze, incense, strobe)

See it if you'd like a clever spin on a Grecian classic with true top-notch acting. Modern language, sets, and effects are masterfully implemented.

Don't see it if you want a happy show, are irked by classics being modernized, or can't sit through 4 hours. TW: blood, nudity, mental illness, loud effects

See it if you want to see a grounded yet quirky comedy that becomes serious in the second act. The ending takes a sharp, poignant turn into metaphor.

Don't see it if you want strictly a comedy or a commentary—this is both—or something fast-paced, fantastical, or non-political. Some non-PC jokes. TW: blood

See it if you want a masterful rendition of a popular French show, enjoy dance spectacle, or are a fan of the original novel — no happy Disney ending.

Don't see it if you don’t understand French or want to read supertitles, aren’t a fan of foreign shows, want a happy ending, or can’t handle a little fluff.

See it if you want a fun show for kids 5 and under that's also packed with nostalgia for adults. The puppets are very cute and voices spot-on!

Don't see it if you're looking for something flashy, fast-paced, or plot-heavy. This is as fluffy, meandering, and mellow as the source material.

Also The 1-hour runtime may be a tad too long for children with a lot of energy. I took my 5 y/o niece, and while we had a BLAST, she was getting a bit antsy near the end of the show.... Read more Read less

See it if you’d like to see Danai Gurira absolutely knock the role of Richard III out of the park. Strong performances all around. Clever staging!

Don't see it if you’re a Shakespeare purist or have a hard time filling in gaps. There are silent scenes conveyed exclusively in sign language.

Also Ali Stroker is unfortunately the weak link of this production — she comes across as not being experienced in Shakespeare and her delivery is reminiscent of a high school production.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a refreshingly modern take on a Shakespearian great. A clever use of livestreams and on-stage screens elevates this show.

Don't see it if 4 hours is too long for you, you struggle with Shakespeare, or are a purist. Gertrude wasn't that great. (TW: flashing lights, gunshots)

See it if you want to see three BRILLIANT actors give captivating performances. Rockwell is witty, Fishburne is intense, and Criss is heartbreaking.

Don't see it if you can't stand hyper-masculine scripts or want something action-packed. This is a slow show with little fanfare. (TW: language, violence)

See it if you're looking for a family-friendly show with lots of talented singers and dancers and are impressed by impersonations and quick changes.

Don't see it if you want a new twist or memorable music—everything is fun in the moment but leaves your brain immediately. TW: flashing lights, fog effects

See it if you would like to hear a powerhouse lead vocalist or to see a show about how little choices can have a big impact on your life.

Don't see it if you have hearing issues — the live band overpowers the un-mic'd actors. Some jokes are outdated, especially those about bisexuality.

See it if you're seeking a fluffy rom-com musical about love in absurd circumstances. The singing is truly top-notch and the jokes are worth a giggle.

Don't see it if you want a love story with substance. This is just as superficial and flowery as the original R+J tale. Brooklyn/Italy jokes get overused.

See it if you are a fan of the original play and want to experience it with modern language (done right) or are looking to see some masterful acting.

Don't see it if you have a hard time understanding accents or hate abrupt pacing changes — scenes go from slow and methodical to quick and witty in a snap.

Also I was able to get the $10 rush tickets for this show and the seats ended up being on-stage floor cushions. This was AWESOME from a viewing perspective BUT they became uncomfortable to sit on quite quickly — something to keep in mind if you're considering buying rush!... Read more Read less

See it if you want to hear hauntingly beautiful vocals and see a charming fairytale come to life. These actresses make the empty stage feel full!

Don't see it if you have a hard time understanding thick accents, aren't a fan of black-box in-the-round, or don't like people playing many roles. TW: death

See it if you want to see a brilliant one-man production! Quick-witted, fast-paced, and full of comedy — this show has heart. Greenspan is impressive!

Don't see it if you're not a fan of one-man shows / get confused by quick/subtle character swaps. This is a small-scale dramedy; avoid if you want big plots

See it if you want to see a top-notch play about personal identity, understanding/accepting your peers, and appreciating the simple things in life.

Don't see it if full-frontal nudity isn't your cup of tea or you don't want to hear soliloquies about the beauty of baseball. (TW: nudity, slurs, death)

See it if you want to see a serious drama that will leave you feeling uneasy and don't mind interjections of humor to lighten the dark subject matter.

Don't see it if you want a happy show. (MASSIVE TW: grooming, pedophilia, incest, sexual assault)

Also I would have scored this higher, but something about Mary-Louise Parker's acting was quite frustrating to me. Something about her speech seemed weird and unnatural (and not in an intentional way), which took me out of a LOT of the scenes. This is a gut-wrenching script — but the effect was lessened by how many times I felt like Parker was struggling to come across as genuinely "in it". David Morse was the true star of the show — he came across as simultaneously likable and sinister and sold the role of Uncle Peck perfectly.... Read more Read less

See it if you are a fan of the original/are looking for a classic, you want to see some solid comedy and top-notch dancing, and like female-led shows.

Don't see it if you are looking for a powerhouse vocalist in Beanie, true opulence in sets and costumes, or want something with a 100% happy ending.

Also I found that for what Beanie lacked in vocals ('Don't Rain on My Parade' was honestly a bit disappointing and lacked the punch such a showstopper requires), she made up for in endearment. She portrays Fanny as just as ambitiously relatable, physically insecure, and characteristically bombastic as she needs to be to come across as truly likable. She brings her own flavor to Fanny just as Streisand did — not better or worse, but different. Ramin, Jane, and Jared were all well-cast and had the vocals to match — Jared's dancing in particular was a real treat! I feel like the sets and costumes for the Ziegfeld scenes could have been a little more over-the-top, but were still beautiful for what they were. Overall, I had an amazing evening and recommend the show!... Read more Read less

See it if you love folk music, black box shows, or stories that focus on imparting a powerful message more than featuring an event-driven plotline.

Don't see it if you don't like intimate venues or only enjoy shows with a linear plot. This show features famous songs interspersed with letter readings.

See it if you are looking for a dark comedy commenting on the death penalty. The sets were top-notch and Alfie Allen stole the show as Mooney.

Don't see it if you have hearing issues — actors mic'd poorly; thick accents — people in the back missed a LOT of jokes. (TW: dark humor, death, sex jokes)

Also I typically love a good dark comedy, but the show was quite disappointing due to sound quality issues. Unfortunately, a comedy just isn't funny when you can't hear what the actors are saying.... Read more Read less

See it if you want a silly, fluffy show packed with meta and slapstick humor. The mechanics of the sets are something to behold.

Don't see it if slapstick/physical comedy isn’t your thing, you need a show with a point, or you want a musical. (TW: one gunshot sound effect)

Also Know what you’re getting into here: it’s a fast-paced SLAPSTICK comedy. If physical humor isn’t your thing, DO NOT SEE THIS SHOW. You won’t enjoy it. But if you like those kinds of jokes and enjoy the meta humor of Noises Off, you’ll LOVE this. Where Noises Off focuses on the back-of-house drama, The Play That Goes Wrong focuses on the on-stage disasters. It reminded me of the many, MANY things that went wrong in my high school productions that forced my friends and I to improvise (with varying degrees of success), and that made it all the more hilarious to me. Also, the audience for sure will make or break the atmosphere of this show. I experienced it with a lively crowd who was eager to participate where necessary and laughed out loud the whole time. I could imagine a quieter crowd would kill the vibe.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to be pulled through a rollercoaster of emotions, from happiness and sadness to outage and respect. The acting is superb.

Don't see it if you want something flashy, talk of faith/war upset you, bilingual scripts confuse you, or you don't like shows that start light & end heavy.

Also I'm not one to be enticed by love stories, but the scenes between Nazrullah and Geetee had me smiling under my mask. The show is bittersweet but packed with wit and charm, and the acting pulled me in from the first moment. I highly recommend giving this show a watch!... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see something uplifting and motivational with lots of wit, charm, great music, and a storyteller that draws you in completely.

Don't see it if you aren't a fan of one-man shows, hate banjo/bluegrass, can't handle talks of cancer, or want to see something flashy.

See it if you want to see a diverse family’s warring POVs on relevant issues with a comedic spin. The digs feel realistic & the parts with heart land.

Don't see it if you want something polished—this is a world premiere undergoing rewrites—or if you need a show to have a “point” or tell you what’s “right.”

See it if you enjoy absurdity, farce, pantomime, and abstract humor or want to see something that challenges you to figure out what's really going on.

Don't see it if you want something with a clear plot or point — there are things happening in the background, but nothing's clear until the last few minutes

See it if found-family stories about serious topics are your cup of tea. There's a good story under the surface but it's not the most well-executed.

Don't see it if you want something polished. The script needs some rewrites to catch a younger crowd & the acting could be stronger. (TW: abortion, suicide)

See it if you would like to see 2 entertaining 70-minute plays back-to-back — one comedic, one informative, or are a fan of simple black-box theatre.

Don't see it if you want to see something fast-paced and with a ton of polish, or if the actresses occasionally fumbling their lines will bother you.

Also The first play — The Collision — was definitely the better of the two. It had a lot of wit and humor to it that had the whole audience laughing. The second play — The Martyrdom — was a little weaker. It was really interesting to learn about the first recorded female playwright, but the scenes depicting adaptations of her work throughout the years dragged a bit. Overall, it was a fun evening and I learned something new about theatre history!... Read more Read less

See it if you want a peek into the minds of famous US assassins, like Sondheim, enjoy shows in the round, or want to see some AMAZING singing/acting.

Don't see it if you are looking for something flashy or don't enjoy shows in the round. The show uses just what it needs to tell its story. (TW: gunshots)

See it if you are a fan of Bob Dylan's music, want to hear amazing vocalists, like serious plots, and enjoy large ensemble casts.

Don't see it if you struggle following many characters at once or want them to be well-developed. (TW: mental illness, rape, racism, suicide, gunshots)

Also The large ensemble cast was both a blessing and a curse for this show. On one hand, it enabled a lot of extremely talented actors and singers to get their time in the spotlight — their voices were the absolute highlight of this production. On the other hand, however, the large cast meant that individual plotlines felt rushed and characters were severely underdeveloped. The story would've been better served if it focused on a smaller cast of characters that were fleshed out more fully.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy slice-of-life plays with exaggerated and fantastical moments, LOTS of comedy, and flashes of heart.

Don't see it if you want to see something flashy or aren't looking for a message about the prison system in your comedy. (TW: sexual harassment)

See it if you enjoy classic radio plays or are interested in seeing how they're made. Seeing how certain foley effects are done is the coolest part.

Don't see it if you're looking for something flashy or fast-paced. Both stories are slow, the stage is bare, and actors read directly from scripts.

See it if you are looking for a dark comedy that touches on serious themes like school shootings and misogyny. Reminiscent of "The Office".

Don't see it if you aren't interested in a slice-of-life story of university politics or want something wholly lighthearted. (TW: gunshots, shouting)

Also As someone who works in a university office and does yearly active shooter training, this show tickled my funny bone in more ways than one — while still being serious about the topic when it counts.... Read more Read less

See it if you are a fan of the 2001 movie, as the plot is the same but the soundtrack is fresh — or if you are looking for a wild visual spectacle.

Don't see it if you don't like jukebox musicals, modern pop soundtracks in historical settings, or love triangle plots. (TW: haze effects, flashing lights.)

See it if you enjoy jukebox musicals w/ a bunch of loose vignettes (à la Smokey Joe's Cafe) or want to see 5 talented actors sing their hearts out.

Don't see it if you want something with a solid plot or aren't a fan of Harlem Renaissance jazz/blues/swing. (TW: prop cigarette smoke)

See it if farces are up your alley (Noises Off, ...Being Earnest), you like shows that happen in real-time, or enjoy actors playing many silly roles.

Don't see it if you want a family-friendly comedy, aren't a fan of sex jokes, or are looking for a long-form plot. TW: smoke effects, actors shouting.

See it if you want to see some A-list actors performing a silly, lighthearted show with a strong community theatre vibe.

Don't see it if you are looking for something with a big-budget "showstopper" feel or can't stand listening to continuous rhyming couplets.

See it if you like Alanis Morissette's music, enjoy high-tech sets and artsy choreography, or are looking for a show with (many) moving messages.

Don't see it if you don't like shows with political messaging or want a perfect ending. TW: flashing lights, unaccepting LGBT+ parents, addiction, and rape.

See it if you are looking for a one-woman show with a strong and solid performance and enjoy slow, non-linear storytelling.

Don't see it if you're uninterested in seeing something that has an almost exclusive message of "you are a terrible person for participating in capitalism."