Karen 6302

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

See it if you'd like to see a story where one actor plays identical twins - convincingly. An interesting story concept that just didn't work for me.

Don't see it if you're looking for a gripping tale. I'm not sure why this was so moving when I saw it in 2007 and seemed to drag interminably for 90 mins.

See it if you want to see Susan Sarandon's superb acting skills, creating a fascinating character.

Don't see it if you're looking for a believable, cohesive plot. Jesse Eisenberg writes some great dialogue, but it doesn't really hold together.

Also Maybe because I was sitting in the front row, I was completely captivated by Susan Sarandon's acting chops.... Read more Read less

See it if you absolutely must see every Arthur Miller play.

Don't see it if you want something cohesive. I also had trouble understanding some of the actors as they were not projecting.

Also Sometimes there's a reason why plays are not produced.

See it if you want to have a fun evening. Great physical comedy and clever, ingenious staging. Many, many laughs and a happy ending.

Don't see it if you don't want to take a trip back to an earlier time. No big orchestra, just three musicians, who acquitted themselves beautifully.

See it if you relish being let in to a play without a logical narrative and with actors who are certainly extremely agile and enthusiastic.

Don't see it if you're not a fan of theater of the absurd.

Also Maybe I'm not adventurous enough, but this just didn't do it for me. And I do like Ionesco, Genet, Beckett, et. al.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy a capella singing. Some great voices and lovely, haunting melodies.

Don't see it if the subject matter (technology addiction) is of no interest to you and you prefer big musicals (with musical instruments).

Also I'm still thinking about it as it is so unusual -- in concept and in subject matter. All eight cast members are so talented... Read more Read less

See it if you're curious about what happens AFTER Titus Andronicus. You're up for 90 minutes of kaka, farts, urine and the actors' great comic timing.

Don't see it if you're hoping to see a play worthy of the actors' talents. It's such a mess, literally and figuratively.

Also 5/11 - Saw Gary again, this time from a much closer seat and re-evaluated my score. I also did some reading and had a better comprehension of Taylor Mac's play.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see some bravura acting, especially Jonny Lee Miller, with the more flamboyant role of Larry Lamb. Absolutely mesmerizing.

Don't see it if you have no interest in the rise of Rupert Murdoch and don't want to sit for 2:45.

Also This production moves right along with dancing, singing, projections, flying papers, many scene shifts. It held my attention completely, mostly due to the tremendous acting skills of the entire cast, especially Jonny Lee Miller and Bertie Carvel.... Read more Read less

See it if you're up for absorbing a very convoluted plot, many characters, projections, and confetti and power tools.

Don't see it if you're looking for simple. There's a lot going on; sometimes it was difficult to understand the actors, with their backs to the audience.

See it if you're interested in getting a rare theatrical glimpse into two Muslims' lives, their viewpoints, and how they interact.

Don't see it if you do not like philosophical dialogue (interspersed with some very sexy onstage actions).

See it if you want to hear an interesting discussion on the Constitution as well as some moving biographical info.

Don't see it if you object to being lectured to. Ms. Schreck is obviously sincere, but I found her delivery at times a little shrill.

Also The switches between humor (Dirty Dancing mentions) and the horrific autobiographical details were a bit disconcerting.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see some bravura acting in a gripping, moving play.

Don't see it if you need to see big. Only five actors and minimal sets (with fluid scene changes) bring an unusual story to life.

See it if you want to become fully involved in a play about bullying and other frightening timely topics.

Don't see it if you're not up for an intense, disturbing ride. The audience was fully involved from beginning to end.

Also As evidenced by Daniel's Husband and After, Michael McKeever certainly knows how to write gripping dialogue and create believable characters.... Read more Read less

See it if you're ready for one more teenage angst story. There are some poignant moments. Cast is terrific.

Don't see it if you're looking for a completely developed story. Some plot elements are not totally resolved.

See it if you want to see a clever play (or two plays) with some great performances and much humor. There is an underlying poignancy to the piece.

Don't see it if you have no interest in the role of the black woman in film.

Also Marvelous production values: vintage movie scenes, talk show setting, great interiors.... Read more Read less

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 No, don't see it. At times it seemed as though the singers (especially the woman) were making up the songs on the spot.

Don't see it if you're looking for a cohesive story line and songs that advance the plot. Only 70 minutes, but it seemed much longer. Much longer.

See it if you want to see two talented actors work very hard to entertain -- dealing with an implausible, confusing, repetitious story line.

Don't see it if This was not for me, and I soon tired of this very strange, depressing story. I liked the singing.

See it if you want to see a glorious Fiddler. Beautifully acted and sung. Joel Grey honors Stein/Bock/Harnick's opus.

Don't see it if you don't like the idea of reading the supertitles. But the songs are so familiar that you can get the meaning just by listening.

Also Steven Skybell is back from vocal rest (as of May 16) and his Tevye is magnificent.... Read more Read less

See it if you like old-fashioned musicals & enjoy great choreography. Lots of singing and dancing. Michael Urie works really hard - it sometimes works

Don't see it if you don't like contrived, silly plots. There are some tuneful numbers.

See it if you want to see four excellent actors tell a vivid story about the incarcerated and about learning to deal with loss.

Don't see it if you need a play with lots of action. The story-telling is through dialogue and monologues, creating vivid personalities.

Also What a compelling play! My interest never flagged during the 90 minutes.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a terrific staging of an O'Casey gem.. The large ensemble acting is terrific and C. Moore's direction is again masterful.

Don't see it if you don't want to lose yourself in 1915-16 Dublin and bear witness to the lives of the inhabitants of one tenement.

Also I found this play the most moving of the O'Casey Trilogy, and the acting (especially M. Plunkett) did justice to O'Casey's words.... Read more Read less

See it if you're a fan of Sam Shepard's angry, boozy, violent family dramas. It's a gripping story, filled with plot twists and some great acting.

Don't see it if you don't want to spend 2-1/2 hours (90 mins. first act) with these people. Lots of screaming and some (fleeting) male nudity.

Also I was most impressed to see Maggie Siff play a role so diametrically different from Wendy Rhoades in Billions.

Spoiler? I guess they cut the scene where Gypsy Rose Lee (Louise) sings to her pet on her birthday. "I wonder how old I am."... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see some terrific acting (Bening/Letts/Walker) in a resonant Miller play. Even knowing the ending, I was still drawn in.

Don't see it if color-blind family relationships create a problem for you. It is a tad distracting to meet Ann's brother. But I did let it go.

Also Arthur Miller is one of my favorite playwrights, but once again, I became aware of the difficulty actors must have in making his "speechifying" sound like ordinary conversation. I think the three leads did an admirable job with this challenge, with the result a moving, believable depiction.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a personal, painful exploration of a relationship. The sexual tension between the actors was palpable.

Don't see it if nudity and simulated sex acts make you squirm. Also, these are not people with whom you might want to spend 80 minutes.

Also Halley Feiffer deserves credit for exposing herself (completely!) in what is presumably a very personal story. At times I felt like a voyeur, especially as I was sitting in the first row. The dialogue seemed very real and I was caught up in the unfolding plot.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see an interesting, modern take on Uncle Vanya -- kind of. The actors spill their innermost thoughts with resulting laughs.

Don't see it if you want a more formal approach to Chekhov. The actors constantly break the fourth wall, which usually annoys me -- but not here.

Also Regarding the breaking of the fourth wall -- when the actors speak to the audience (as they often do), they seem so sincere. They speak to us as characters in the play. We've accepted them as characters and are interested in their musings.... Read more Read less

See it if you're curious about shows from the '30's. You like dance-heavy shows.

Don't see it if you're looking for a plot that makes sense and a score with more than 3 memorable songs.

See it if you're up for a frenzied black comedy with lots of screaming and physical action.

Don't see it if you're looking for a cohesive, believable plot involving empathy workshops in a debt collection office.

Also I know that as a farce this should be over the top, but these characters are so overdone (even though well-acted), that it is hard to feel involved in the action. The playwright has some valid points to make (mostly concerning misogyny and women's rights) but the impact is diminished by all the craziness. At least it was for me.... Read more Read less

See it if if you have an interest in Holocaust drama and appreciate historical relevance.

Don't see it if you want a play that moves smoothly. This is very episodic; it was disconcerting that after an intense scene, the actors moved furniture.

See it if you're a John Larroguette/Will Swenson fan. They are both quite good in this confusing absurd play.

Don't see it if you want a linear plot. This jumps all over the place and can be quite difficult to follow.

See it if you want to see a beautifully acted (by all) classic O'Casey play. Irish Rep has done itself proud with such a terrific staging.

Don't see it if you have no interest in Irish history or dislike plays where the actors speak with accents.

Also The two hours flew by -- laughter, music, singing, dancing, tears. The impressive immersive set adds to the overall epic presentation.... Read more Read less

See it if you're a fan of Irish drama. This is beautifully directed and staged, and I'm looking forward to the next two plays in the O'Casey trilogy.

Don't see it if you dislike plays with heavy accents and impending violence.

Also I loved that one of the main characters was a poet, and we heard snippets of his work -- and Shakespeare and Shelley, too.... Read more Read less