JustMalkie

See it if You don't want to think too much and miss movies like Crossing Delancey and plays like Abie's Irish Rose.

Don't see it if You are looking for new, inventive material. This is a New York rom-com with a been-there-done-that feel.

See it if you enjoy a lighthearted, fun look at Orthodox Jewish life. This was cute and kitschy, like much in New York.

Don't see it if you have no interest in learning more about Orthodox Jewish life. This show drills into the nitty-gritty of Jewish observance.

See it if You saw the movie and loved it, or are a fan of Once. Actors are energetic and all play musical instruments.

Don't see it if you are expecting fully-fleshed out characters. This needs work, but has great potential. Saw it w/ the understudy in the lead. He was fab!

Also Original songs are hit and miss. Duran Duran still owns my high-school self. Nostalgia for the '80s gets extra points from the Gen-X set!... Read more Read less

See it if you like intense drama with an excellent cast. You want lots of bang for your buck. This show runs almost 3 hours long with 2 itermissions.

Don't see it if you want to laugh. Though there are sweet and funny moments, this is serious stuff.

See it if you want to see superb actors up close and personal in an intimate setting

Don't see it if you like big and splashy.

See it if You have any interest in Yiddish theater, loved Fiddler on the roof, and want to be entertained for a quick-paced 80 minutes of song & dance

Don't see it if You do not want to see historical musicals in their native tongue. All the acting and singing is in Yiddish w English & Russian supertitles

See it if you like hip hop, freestyle comedy, watching talented people create art.

Don't see it if you want a musical with an arc, splashy sets, and costumes. This is raw talent at its finest in a quick 90 minute routine.

See it if You are nostalgic for Andrew Lloyd Weber's ambitious and magical score. You want to see a classic reinterpreted. (not always for the better

Don't see it if You want an elaborately-staged production. The beautifully-conducted orchestra often overpowered the actors. I thought it an odd choice.

Also Eh-vita.

See it if Dark comedy about divorce and middle age.

Don't see it if You want a cheerful night at the theater. Not for young children!

See it if You like musical improv.

Don't see it if You like big-budget musicals. This is very bare-bones.

See it if You like contemporary takes on a classic story. If you are a fan of Duncan Sheik

Don't see it if You want your theater to make sense

Also There are brilliant moments, hidden in a confusing mess of a not-ready-for primetime production. A chorus of a song, a clever line, a turn of phrase....there are lots of missed opportunities here. Cast overall is solid, but not working with the best material.... Read more Read less

See it if Graphic novels, superheroes, coming-of-age stories. Still in previews. I hope they are able to tighten it up. Has amazing potential

Don't see it if Big, splashy musicals. This is a small show (I mean that in a good way).

See it if You like the idea of exploring your roots, Jewish or other...like small, intimate productions. Are interested in history of jewish culture.

Don't see it if you need a linear plot, like big productions, are not interested in Jewish cultural and religious themes (altho I believe they are universal

See it if Great writing. Great acting. Short, but compelling.

Don't see it if You like large productions. This was a small show in a small setting.

See it if You are a fan of any of the actors. Want to support the first Asian woman playwright on b'way.

Don't see it if you don't like watching grown men behave like children onstage. You need closure when watching a story unfold. There was none.

See it if you are a fan of any of the 3 spectacular actors in this show. You enjoy thoughtful dramas about timely stories. no fake news permitted here

Don't see it if you prefer musicals or lavish productions with a large cast. If the thought of a play dedicated to fact-checking a written piece bores you.

Also This was an incredibly enjoyable production. The 100-minute play with no intermission moved along well and had me biting my nails at certain points. I must confess to being partial to the topic as a copyeditor, but I think it this day of "fake news" claims, it is relevant and timely for everyone who enjoys a good time at the theater and who wants to be forced to think a little in the process. All three actors were terrific and my 20-year-old daughter was especially delighted to see Daniel Radcliffe live.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy a straight play with superb acting by a small, but stellar cast. Every one of the stars shone bright on this stage.

Don't see it if You want to be entertained by a big splashy production. This was small and quiet, profound, funny and sad.

Also Excellent performances by stars of Broadway and Screen. This was heavy and depressing, while funny and clever at the same time. A play about Alzheimer's will always be a little sobering, but this was uplifting and entertaining all the while.... Read more Read less

See it if you love great acting, hilariously biting dialogue, poignant portrayals of gay life in the '70s and '80s. The cast is amazing. Truly,

Don't see it if you don't like to laugh or appreciate the universal themes of love and rejection, or if you don't appreciate having your heartstrings tugged

See it if you have ever seen this story acted on stage or screen. This adaptation, performed in Yiddish, is magical and emotional. Do not miss this!

Don't see it if You do not enjoy reading supertitles while listening to a work performed in a foreign language. (Unless, of course, you understand Yiddish!)

Also While the production is lean and bare-boned, the show is masterful and grabs your heart in a way the English versions I have seen (more than a few) did not. There is a reason they keep extending this run. Go see this play!... Read more Read less

See it if You like your Shakespeare updated and contemporary. This was a riveting production and I held my breath through the second half of the show

Don't see it if You don't like anyone messing with the Bard's original work.

Also I saw this show a few days before it ended its run at the Public. I am sorry I couldn't send more friends to see this production. It was compelling theater.... Read more Read less

See it if You are willing to sell your first-born in exchange for tickets. It is worth it. American history & rap. Like peanut butter and chocolate.

Don't see it if I can't think of one good reason. Unless you are bitter about not being able to get tickets. Then make up a reason why you don't wanna go.

Also I saw the original cast when this first opened in 2015 and just went back with my kids. Still brilliant. Still magical. Still the best show ever. Not overrated at all.... Read more Read less

See it if You have a heartbeat & you can get tickets. This was fabulously entertaining, well-acted, & has the best music and choreography for a play.

Don't see it if You dislike all things Harry Potter (but I wouldn't admit that out loud),

Also I saw this show from the front row. (Yes, I won the lottery and paid embarrassingly little for my tickets) If you have the choice, see the show from the mezzanine or farther back in the orchestra to fully enjoy all the magic. (Yes, the magic is real. Don't be a party-pooper.)... Read more Read less

See it if You like theater-in-the-round. The performances are terrific, even though the story is more-than-slightly depressing. Staging is amazing!

Don't see it if You want a happy ending or you want to leave humming a memorable tune. While the show overall was enjoyable, the score was only ok.

See it if you are a fan of ANY of the star-studded cast. If the history of the gay-rights struggle is interesting to you.

Don't see it if if you want to see a current commentary of gay culture portrayed on stage. Though still poignant, this play feels its age.

Also The cast is amazingly talented and a delight to watch. You feel the history and weight of this important work while you are in the audience.
This is an important evening of theater.... Read more Read less

See it if you like to be challenged as an audience member. This show requires you to think if you want to follow along. If you are a fan of Hollander.

Don't see it if You want an easy-breezy evening at the theater. This show requires your utmost attention if you want to follow along.

Also This was an utter delight and lots of fun!

See it if You enjoy a ALW's-greatest-hits-review. You enjoy watching a documentary about ALW. The singing was great. Staging was barebones.

Don't see it if You want a musical that tells a story. This is ALW-lite. ALW (via pre-recorded interviews) introduces each set w/ a little background info.

Also Still undecided if I liked or hated the video interruptions by ALW setting up each performance. It was campy and self-indulgent, but I suppose that sums up his work, much of it I love, perhaps in spite of myself. I wanted more Joseph and Evita, and less Sunset Boulevard and Requiem. I think my favorite parts were the opening mashup and the new song at the end, which basically makes fun of the whole premise of the show. That may have redeemed the whole thing for me.... Read more Read less

See it if You are a Baby Boomer, are interested in learning about the Boomer Era, are interested in history, like to be entertained.

Don't see it if you want to see a big, splashy musical. This show is neither big, nor splashy. It is small, and intimate, fast-paced, and fun.

See it if you are willing to see WSS in a new light. The music is still magnificent and the singing is great. This is a show for people with ADD.

Don't see it if you are prone to motion sickness. Camerawork and projections on screen are dizzying. If you are a purist, this is not for you.

Also This show moves the story along VERY quickly. WSS for the insta-story age. They cut "I Feel Pretty" and it was missed.... Read more Read less

See it if You like farce. Fun acting from an ensemble.

Don't see it if you want edgy or innovative.

See it if You love all things food. (As long as you don’t use the word “foodie” to describe yourself). You like small plays that feel big.

Don't see it if You don’t have a keen interest in watching food prep or what goes on in the back of the house at a restaurant. You want a big splashy show.

Also Although this story has been told before (every episode of Top Chef) it is still compelling theater. If you think a well-run kitchen has the same artistic merit as a well-choreographed ballet, then you will enjoy this show as much as I did.... Read more Read less

See it if you are a fan of greek mythology with a jazzy, soulful twist. The musicians onstage were masterful.

Don't see it if you don't want to see a contemporary, musical take on greek tragedy.

See it if You like magic, scrabble, science, history, crossword puzzles, thinking.

Don't see it if you want big and splashy, you don't like solving puzzles, or being made to think while you are being entertained.

See it if You like small-budget, one-man musicals. Daniel Cainer is a great storyteller.

Don't see it if You like big musicals with show-stopping choreography and staging.

See it if You are a fan of any of the fabulous actors in this star-studded cast.

Don't see it if You don't like dialogue-heavy plays. This show moves fast and you need to keep up!

See it if You like over-the-top performances & irreverent dialogue. Justin Long was a treat!

Don't see it if You don't like aggressive dialogue and in-your-face performances. I thought the play was building quite nicely, but they lost me in the end

Also Tiffany Villarin held her own on the stage, even though she played the straight man to many outrageous characters. Was happy to see her again after Teenage Dick.... Read more Read less

See it if You are were born after the year 2000.

Don't see it if You are tired of nebbish teenagers who turn into a**holes when they "miraculously" become popular.

See it if You know someone involved in the show.

Don't see it if You value your time. I cannot get back those 75 minutes. Ever. Would have walked out, but I felt bad for the cast.

See it if you like drama, with a lot of laughs. This show has a very large, & talented cast. The story starts out a little slow, but builds momentum

Don't see it if you want to see lighthearted fair, or an intimate play. This is a grand, busy show.

See it if you like old-fashioned-musicals, in the grand musical numbers with great singing and acting kind of old-fashioned...

Don't see it if you dislike revivals of old musicals based on even older plays. This was over 3 hours long, so be ready to commit to your not-so-comfy seat

See it if you like big, old-school Broadway musicals with a contemporary theme. Music, singing, choreography were all top-notch.This was a fun night!

Don't see it if you don't like over-the-top, splashy musicals that deal with LGBTQ themes.

See it if you like British farce and humor. This was a fun ensemble with a wacky, way-out-there sense of hilarity, The snooker scenes were fabulous

Don't see it if you have a hard time following British accents. It took me several minutes to figure out what they were saying.

Also This is a very British play in its humor. And more often than not, very over-the-top. This was entertaining theater with a solid cast of outlandish characters. The snooker scenes were staged masterfully and truly impressive.... Read more Read less

See it if You can set aside the weak book and music and enjoy this spectacle purely for the special effects. Kong was a magical beast brought to life

Don't see it if you expect an actual story and good songs to entertain you at a musical. The $35 million spent on this production went purely to the effects

Also This was a supremely disappointing theater experience. The only reason I scored it as high as I did was because of the special effects. It was amazing to watch the beast come to life, breathing emoting, feeling...the first half of the play was excruciating and I actually considered leaving at intermission. I am glad I stayed because the second half, did in fact pick up and the only song I felt remotely connected to was in the very last scene. What a shame this was not as good as it could have and should have been. I wonder if they will be tweaking during previews.... Read more Read less

See it if you love anything Hamlet or the Bard related. You enjoy watching plays about theater and acting. You enjoy straight plays.

Don't see it if You do not enjoy Shakespeare-related storytelling. If you prefer musicals.

See it if you like neuroscience...or rap music. Especially if you like rap about neuroscience. Really. This is way more entertaining than it sounds

Don't see it if you don't like one-man shows. Or rap. Or science. Or pared-down, simple productions. Or have to think when you go to the theater.

See it if You like to see Shakespeare updated, and very loosely interpreted. The acting and signing are first-rate.

Don't see it if You don't like to be up-close and personal with the actors. This is a small theater and the troupe is projecting to the very last row.

Also The music is good-not-great, but the singing talent is worth the price of admission all on its own.... Read more Read less

See it if You loved the movie (as I did), or you are bringing a teenage girl.

Don't see it if You don't want to re-live the worst parts of your high school experience. This show is a little risqué for younger kids.

See it if You love Donna Summer's music. You are interested in her story, or you generally like Juke-Box-Musicals. LaChanze & Co. are entertaining.

Don't see it if You expect to jump out of your seat with every #1 hit. With so many truly great songs, I was expecting to be on my feet numerous times.

Also There was just something missing that keeps this musical from being "great". I still haven't figured out what is missing, because the music is terrific, and the acting was great. Also didn't love how the story glossed over underage sexual abuse and domestic abuse with a glancing nod. In this #MeToo age, it just felt wrong. I understand that the producers may have not wanted to bring the audience down, but with only a passing nod, that part of Donna Summer's story seemed disrespected.... Read more Read less

See it if You love Bette Midler-hurry! I saw this show with Bernadette Peters in the lead. I found the music and story a bit dated, but still fun...

Don't see it if You like contemporary topics. This is old-school musical fun. The audience applauds before big numbers even start, in anticipation.

See it if you are an ardent fan of Rodgers & Hammerstein, or any of the terrific actors starring in this play. If you enjoy superb choreography.

Don't see it if you want to see inventive theater. This story, thought a classic, is very dated and the music is heavy.

Also This is for dedicated theater-lovers only. The choreography and staging is new and inventive, but otherwise, this play, first performed in 1945, feels its age.... Read more Read less

See it if You are a fan of the original show/movie, are a fan of Joshua Jackson, you are interested in deaf culture, or inspired by great storytelling

Don't see it if you are expecting a contemporary story. This production was first staged in 1979 and shows its age.