Karen 6302

See it if you love musicals and want to be entertained with clever parodies. Great cast and pianist.

Don't see it if you need a plot. This is a real revue that moves smoothly. Lots of fun.

Also Less emphasis on impersonations than in past incarnations -- more focus on the shows themselves.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see some great acting, especially Jane Alexander and James Cromwell.

Don't see it if you have no interest in the trials and disappointments of a long-married couple and their neurotic children.

Also At 2:15 it is a tad too long and Michael Urie's "date scene" could be shortened or even omitted. The play has several funny and poignant moments.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to spend 75 minutes in the company of 5 talented performers (and one great pianist) presenting Yeston tunes.

Don't see it if you need a narrative/plot to tie the numbers together.. This is a true revue and it all worked for me.

Also This piqued my curiosity -- I want to see the full IN THE BEGINNING.

See it if you want to see a couple experience the disillusionment of their beliefs amid shattering self-realization. Some powerful acting.

Don't see it if the implicit comparisons to Death of a Salesman make this Pulitzer Prize winning play come in a distant second place.

See it if you're up for a long evening that held my interest. Judith Ivey and Edmund Donovan were terrific in very demanding roles.

Don't see it if you want happy. The town is closing and there are some very difficult family situations. And yet, it worked for me.

Also Once again I ask, what's the rationale for onstage seating? Every now and then, after a set change, I found myself asking, "What the hell are those people doing in her living room?"... Read more Read less

See it if you're a Will Eno fan. Some fine actors and some interesting dialogue presenting the theme of life's journey.

Don't see it if you need a standard plot line. I had trouble following the characters' lives and their inter-relationships.

See it if you're a Cole Porter fan. A terrific cast on book in a story that's surprisingly touching at times. An entertaining evening.

Don't see it if the Mufti concept (no sets, small cast on book, two-piece "orchestra") is not for you.

Also I never got to see Ethel in person, but Klea Blackhurst is just terrific as Hattie. I liked the whole cast, especially Kylie Kuioka, a little dynamo, with great pipes and a stage presence that belies her young age.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see two fully depicted characters come to life. He's morose and she's manic.

Don't see it if You want to see interaction between them. The action is in the form of monologues, believable and touching.

See it if you want to see a bravura acting performance by Michael Benjamin Washington. He fully inhabits all the characters in this involving piece.

Don't see it if you're not a fan of one-man shows. But there's certainly more than one man on the stage: Lubavatcher women, Mr. Cato, Al Sharpton, et. al.

See it if you admire Enda Walsh and are willing to view his dizzying portrayal of a man's dramatic breakdown without understanding everything he says.

Don't see it if you need to understand everything the marvelous solo actor says. As others have mentioned, his accent is thick and it can be frustrating.

See it if you're up for a different take on Macbeth. Doyle's staging is more intimate and made it more personal.

Don't see it if you need costumes, scenery, big casts for your Shakespeare. Some of the tableaux were so striking, almost like paintings.

Also The entire cast was great-- terrific ensemble acting. Corey Stoll's presentation of even the most famous soliloquies ("Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow ...") was delivered without bombast, as though he were just musing.

I also admired the understated music, including Mary Beth Peil's quiet keening toward the end.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a timely true depiction of Reality Winner's interrogation by FBI agents. The 70 mins completely held my attention.

Don't see it if you need action. All talk, but what a fascinating reenactment. Superb acting, especially by E. Davis. Her every facial expression rang true.

See it if you want to spend 2+ hours with a very unpleasant (albeit intelligent & witty) 50-yr-old man, watching his misadventures w/friends & lovers.

Don't see it if viewing nudity and demeaning women offend you. Letts is a good writer, capturing clever dialogue, but the plot isn't worthy of his talents.

See it if you want to see some terrific ensemble acting, absorbing plot, intriguing (albeit not always sympathetic) characters in a well-told story.

Don't see it if you are offended by fleeting nudity, simulated (and well-choreographed sex scenes), much focus on being gay.

Also I understand the lavish praise for this production (in London). It's a long play, but I was never bored. And there are some very moving, emotional moments.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to hear a fascinating post-WWII dialogue between an Irish monsignor and a captured German officer. Based on an actual event.

Don't see it if you cannot deal with vivid, extremely graphic descriptions of wartime brutality.

Also The audience hung on every word uttered by these two talented actors on subjects ranging from Jesus to Greek gods -- and following orders, and so much more.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a musical combining Macbeth, hamburgers, '70's culture (and great costumes), and Kojack mentions. Some fun ensues.

Don't see it if you're looking for memorable tunes. These are forgettable. The show could be cut, but there is much to like and the cast is winning.

See it if you'd like to see an engrossing tale of 5 friends in Scotland and their childish "games." The narrator is looking back at an intense moment.

Don't see it if you have a problem with heavy accents, exacerbated by a loud AC system. I was in the second row and missed a lot of the dialogue.

Also There is much to like here -- a moving story, great swing set for scenery, constant movement. I especially liked the musical numbers.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to go on an enthralling 90 minute journey with Mr. Cobb. Along the way you will hear his musings on race, acting, and Othello.

Don't see it if you need an action-packed evening. Although Mr. Cobb is in almost constant motion -- nothing static in this production.

Also This is the third time I've seen a version of this show. There have been some changes (and a new director), but the play is still exciting and relevant. I particularly noticed Mr. Cobb's reactions to the director's notes. Without words, his facial expressions conveyed so much.... Read more Read less

See it if you're up for a nostalgic cabaret type evening and want to discover or re-discover the talent and wit of Noel Coward.

Don't see it if you need big production numbers and fancy scenery. KT Sullivan and Steve Ross provide more than enough talent and charisma.

Also I went to a wonderful party at the Irish Rep -- 90 minutes of songs, recollections and letters from Noel and his many ladies. Particularly impressive was Ms. Sullivan transforming her usual lilting soprano and channeling Elaine Stritch (Why Do the Wrong People Travel?).... Read more Read less

See it if you like family stories told by 3 actors in a series of monologues. Some of the stories were quite funny and/or moving; others, not so much.

Don't see it if you need a play where the actors interact. There's a static quality here, and I never did figure out why they were in that setting.

Also Could use some editing.

See it if you want to see a play about a rarely dramatized subject: eating disorders. The playwright/lead actress plays herself.

Don't see it if you don't want to witness the dramatic interactions within a troubled family. Also, I had trouble hearing some of the dialogue.

See it if you want to see a re-telling of a highly unusual commercial filming. The cast is impeccable, & the story is hard to believe. But it's true!

Don't see it if you don't care for the mixture of comedy and philosophical exposition. And yet, it worked for me.

See it if you have an interest in baseball. Toni's story is fascinating and well-told. I especially liked the choreographed baseball sequences.

Don't see it if the story of the first female MLB player (in the Negro Leagues) doesn't interest you and you have no idea who "Satch, Jackie, and Hank" are.

Also I've been a big baseball fan since my childhood (and saw Jackie Robinson play at Ebbets Field). And yet, I had no knowledge of Toni Stone's story. My score would be even higher, but I missed some of the dialogue.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see Joyce's writing come to life in a masterful tour de force by Aedin Moloney. She inhabits Molly Bloom for 75 breathless mins.

Don't see it if you do not care for one-woman shows and are offended by nudity and sexual discussions.

See it if you want to see staging from a theatrically unusual point of view: overweight, gay black man with all his insecurities. Cast is amazing.

Don't see it if you are offended by coarse language and sexually explicit scenes. Almost two hours with no intermission.

Also This deeply personal story held my interest completely. While there are many humorous moments, some of Usher's scenes were difficult to watch as they were so degrading and demeaning.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a comedy of manners, over the top, and quite amusing.

Don't see it if you're looking for a message or characterizations that delve into meaningful insights.

See it if you want to see a time capsule of Army life & racial conflict in the '40's. Kenny Leon brought some innovative touches enhancing the story.

Don't see it if you don't like murder mysteries. You have a problem with non-chronological order. Past, present, & future (in an epilogue) are all there.

Also This was a first preview, and all went smoothly.
Some fine ensemble acting here. I missed some of the lines, so maybe getting a listening device is a good move,... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see 4 actors acquit themselves beautifully in the close quarters of a restaurant kitchen--with actual cooking. Absorbing.

Don't see it if you have an aversion to witnessing loud arguments. Much yelling, but always in character.

Also Versatility, thy name is Raul. Truly being alive in every role -- Bobby, D.A., Mamet, Pinter, Stoppard, .... - and now cooking up a storm on stage. Wow!... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a funny, yet sometimes poignant, depiction of a man's journey to a far-off place. No spoilers!

Don't see it if you need your plays to be firmly fixed in the real world. This is so imaginative and clever, with great acting and great staging.

Also Who expects to find all of these in one play: It's a Wonderful Life, Joni Mitchell, and Joan of Arc?... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a talky three-character mystery. Who done it? And who done the other thing? And why? Certainly 3 interesting characters.

Don't see it if you like a straight-forward plot structure with clear motivations and resolutions.

See it if you have fond memories of the movie and enjoy stories set in bygone eras. It's a lovely story with some sweet moments.

Don't see it if you don't want to sit for 2-1/2 plus hours. Definitely could use some cuts as there is much that is repetitive.

See it if you want to be amazed & find yourself repeating, "How did he do that?" People were certainly entertained by the feats and his personality.

Don't see it if you're not a fan of psychic powers and mental feats. I'll admit it--this kind of show (magic, illusion, mind games) has always intrigued me.

See it if you want to see a small, one-set, 3-character play. The actors bring the characters to life with McPherson's usual moving dialogue.

Don't see it if tales of alcoholism, family estrangement, Irish life aren't your cup of tea--many of which are consumed during the course of the 90 minutes.

See it if you enjoy the revue format and are a Cole Porter fan. Some of his lesser known tunes.

Don't see it if you need a strong plot line to link the songs together. The intimacy of the small theater and the great voices made for an enjoyable time.

See it if you can accept a non-linear time frame w/much ambiguity. Definitely worth seeing for the thoroughly believable performances of the 2 leads.

Don't see it if you need a story that goes from point to point in a neat chronological order with everything clearly explained. Many questions here.

See it if you want to see one man's story of his battle with alcoholism. The 3 actors work very hard, constantly moving, 2 playing multiple roles.

Don't see it if you might be offended by some blatant religious stereotyping -- particularly offensive.

See it if you're open to hearing a point of view that might differ from yours. The actors seemed committed to their dialogue & were mostly articulate.

Don't see it if you're put off by radical Catholic conservatism and some gross stage business. All five actors are fine.

Also I had a tough time making up my mind on this play. The views presented (abortion as murder, pro-guns, anti-Hillary, etc.) are completely antithetical to my viewpoint. And judging by audience reaction, the audience's as well.

And yet, I was impressed with the playwright's sincerity and the performances. The play needs some edits, and I was put off by the supernatural stuff.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to hear some great Cole Porter songs. I liked the 2 pianos and banjo accompaniment.

Don't see it if you're looking for more than bare-bones staging, as are all Mufti performances. Several singers lacked projection.

See it if you're ready to go on a 90 minute journey with M.L. Parker. Yes, it's wordy with little action, but I found her story compelling and moving.

Don't see it if you need action. This is a writer's story (2 writers) and the focus is on their words. Both actors were excellent.

See it if you want to gain an understanding of the LBJ era. Large cast w/some memorable performances. Great use of visual media.

Don't see it if you abhor violence depicted on stage and don't really care about LBJ and our involvement in last century events.

Also Having lived through (as an adult) the '60's, I found much of the depictions very troubling, especially the ever-advancing U.S. casualty count for the Viet Nam War. And hearing the massive mistakes made by the government. And watching the reenactments of the Watts Riots, the March over Pettus Bridge,,, It was such a troubling time and seeing it depicted on stage was difficult to witness. This was a worthy attempt to dramatize an important era.... Read more Read less

See it if You can get out after the first two vignettes. Steep downhill after that.

Don't see it if As others have noted, the King Henri and Hemingway's wives pieces were mildly amusing.

Also The final piece might as well have been spoken in Swahili. It was that incomprehensible to me.... Read more Read less

See it if you're interested in dysfunctional families -- and this one certainly takes the cake. The then and now approach was well done.

Don't see it if you need a well-constructed plot. Often repetitious and confusing.

See it if you like autobiographical stories. The young actor is fervent and emotional. An unusual angle -- as described in the title.

Don't see it if you're put off by stereotypical depictions: Puerto Ricans, transsexuals, privileged white guys ...

Also Maybe because I was sitting in the first row, at times the emotional impact was diminished because the actor was so loud and shrill.... Read more Read less

See it if you're interested in the depiction of one woman's growth from a young schoolgirl in Hungary to kibbutz life in Palestine to WWII heroics.

Don't see it if you're not a fan of one-person shows. Although Lexi Rabadi deserves credit for her dual characterizations--and her quick wardrobe changes.

See it if you're looking to find out why Weidman/Sondheim keep re-working the show. There are some great songs and certainly a captivating story.

Don't see it if you need straight-forward story telling. The plot meanders all over the place, mirroring the lives of the Mizner brothers.

Also I found this to be a great improvement over the version at the Public (which I saw) and the recording of the earlier Bounce. One example: On the Bounce recording The Best Thing That Ever Has Happened was sung by Michele Pawk and Howard McGillin,. He sings the opening line (the title) and she responds, "Bullshit." Now sung by Brandon Uranowitz and Jin Ha, "Bullshit" is replaced with "So far." It becomes a true love song.

While the entire cast is great, special kudos to Raul Esparza, whose extraordinary charisma explodes on the stage.... Read more Read less

See it if you're up for great songs well delivered, depicting a wide range of professions. James Taylor, Stephen Schwartz, Lyn-Manuel Miranda, etc.

Don't see it if you're looking for a big production. This has a small band, but the singers were great.

Also I had never seen a production of Working before, so I'm not sure how the spoken transitions were handled. Here, some of them felt really labored and the City Center connection often felt heavy-handed and extraneous. Running time: 90 minutes, no intermission.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see some great acting in a story that mirrors the devastating truth in Uganda and its horrific homophobia.

Don't see it if you do not want to witness gay love scenes and listen to intense evangelical preaching.

Also This was first preview and there were no visible glitches.
I found the story very moving, marred only by an ending that was somewhat inconclusive.... Read more Read less

See it if you're a fan of Leenya Rideout. Was hoping to see the Chalks, no longer appearing. Songs of heartache, a la Parton, Wynette, Cash, et. al.

Don't see it if you're looking for a well-developed play.

See it if you appreciate Irish drama. Some very poignant scenes and some good acting.

Don't see it if you have no patience for a long, drawn out unfolding plot. Some directorial choices made some of the dialogue difficult to understand.

See it if you want to have a great time at a well-constructed, tuneful musical. The entire cast was terrific.

Don't see it if you can't see the rationale of telling a story about a teenage lesbian and her desire to go to a prom.

Also Such a joyful ambiance pervaded the theater. It appeared as though the entire audience was completely caught up in the joyous (and touching) story. I had a wonderful time.... Read more Read less