Ka NYC

See it if a deconstructive theatre piece on racism with great production values and intellect floats your boat

Don't see it if you feel like the choir being preached to at Theater for a New Audience, a rarefied expensive place for the so-called "woke".

Also While all Caucasians need to be aware of our white privilege and need to wake up to systemic racism vs. individual racism, this play felt preachy and condescending. I would have loved if it had stayed in its amazing universe that kept fragmenting, exploring racism from within this universe, with wild theatrical means, which it started to do, only to come to a grinding halt to end with a lecture. I was disappointed, as up to this point - while it really needs cutting! - I thought there was real anarchic much-needed boldness.... Read more Read less

See it if You know from grief, relish a poetic and complex take on this multi-faceted emotion.

Don't see it if You want a sentimental sob story.

See it if you like all things Shepard, the world he explores, the power of his language.

Don't see it if You're just not interested in fucked-up people from fly-over country.

See it if you love simple, gentle stories with surprises.

Don't see it if You're into experimental theatre or look for great depth.

See it if You can go with the flow of a hodge-podge of elements that touch on relevant issues and styles but don't explore any.

Don't see it if If the above drives you crazy and you wonder if PH simply wanted to tick ALL the boxes, find the next hot Yale graduate and produce whatever

See it if You are into Orson Welles, his later life.

Don't see it if you're bothered by a script that doesn't really knows what it's aiming for.

See it if You like a clever, fun, silly and topical romp through today's PC tropes overlaying clearly dated material.

Don't see it if If you seek a well thought-out deconstruction of King Kong and cringe at self-seriousness.

See it if You like immersive theater, enjoy powerful imagery and free association.

Don't see it if If you expect to follow a linear story, hate being immersed and/or on your feet, and were hoping you'd really "get" Clarice Lispector.

See it if You're curious about deconstructive takes on classic material, love Bedlam's way of really owning the language & their particular aesthetic.

Don't see it if You get triggered by ideas that are primarily clever and just wish this amazing company had done the 2 pieces in rep instead of mashing them

Also Where the two pieces really amalgamate is the passion in its most great and desperate form. But that is the most general common denominator. The specificity of Vanya and R&J lie somewhere else, and that's why we have two pieces, not just one. To me the mix felt reductive. But even here - it's an amazing company at work, very smart and insightful.... Read more Read less

See it if ... you like classic musicals and enjoy revivals of more rarely seen fare.

Don't see it if ... you want a new interpretitive grasp of an old chestnut rather than a museum piece.

See it if You like things set in the Middle Ages dealing with obscure interesting historical figures.

Don't see it if You like in-depth exploration of a subject or character, or if you like a piece to stick to one clear genre. Unfocussed in aim and scope.

See it if You're into the 9/11 conspiracy theories.

Don't see it if You don't buy into them, and if 90 minutes of relentlessness is too long. The original Antigone is only 60 min.

See it if you are interested in the big questions of our world, history, society, and dig an intellectual journey.

Don't see it if you want a relatable protagonist whose journey you can travel watch, with some laughs and some tears.

Also It's about the long, slow progress of history. How much blood, passion and lives are sacrificed, how little yet how much individual efforts matter. I was engrossed by the performances of the incredible cast, the direction and steam punk production, helmed by Rachel Chavkin. And yes, the Putney Debate had me mesmerized. Is God really coming? In the 17th century he was certainly a force to be reckoned with. And the underpinnings of this play matter now once again, like when it was first produced, as an answer to Thatcher, then 1991 here during Reagan, and now. So much food for the mind and my theatre soul.... Read more Read less

See it if You like political parables and magic realism.

Don't see it if You like Naturalism and light comedy.

See it if you are interested in the real world of small politics and when slogans clash with life.

Don't see it if You are interested in avantgarde theatre, light comedy or big messages.

See it if You are interested in some unknown piece of history that has great relevance today, and enjoy a great ensemble of actors.

Don't see it if You are done with anything connected to the Holocaust and the thought of a second language on stage makes you run for the hills.

See it if you go for radically ambitious projects, good production values and impact.

Don't see it if You can't deal with the relentless circling around despair, delusion and fears.

See it if You enjoy ubernaturalistic sets, family stories, are vaguely interested in Irish history.

Don't see it if You'd really like to know more about The Troubles, resent indulging in all Irish stereotypes and loved, adored the mythic power of Jerusalem

See it if You're interested in the history of our land and society.

Don't see it if You don't enjoy a history lesson, regardless of the top quality of its delivery.

See it if You like one-note watered-down Neil Simon.

Don't see it if you like comedy of today.

Also All of those 100 score have to be family or close friends. It feels like a mediocre comedy from 1962.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see an engaging performer tick all the hot topic boxes: diversity, domestic violence, guns, mass shootings, gay affair.

Don't see it if You want theatre that makes you think, questions preconceived beliefs rather than reinforcing what you already agree with.

See it if You love musicals and are open to a new take on old chestnuts.

Don't see it if You want to see the musical you starred in High School in.

See it if The subject matter of hurt and loss is something you are willing to dwell on, when you like shows that go beneath the surface.

Don't see it if you need a well-made play to be able to relate to complicated subjects.

See it if You like musicals that tackle complex, important subject matters.

Don't see it if You like fluff.

See it if You like suburban family stories as dysfunctional and pointless like your own.

Don't see it if You expect a narrative with characters that are developed.

See it if A riff on WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF, not a parody, more like a deconstruction on the themes, with amazing actors and a clever script.

Don't see it if you like linear narrative with a developmental arc.

See it if You like romance with intellect.

Don't see it if Like political docudramas.