Karen 6302

See it if you would like to see a dramatic depiction of an historical event - young women sent from Belfast to Australia under false pretenses.

Don't see it if you have trouble understanding accented speech. I missed some of the dialogue and now I want to read the play.

See it if you want to spend a couple of hours with a talented cast in an original musical set in 1960 Brooklyn -- and a bit in Verona.

Don't see it if you don't like your Shakespeare light. SPOILER: Much happier ending than Romeo and Juliet or West Side Story.

See it if you want to see some marvelous performers with great singing and acting skills present a Sondheim classic -- with the best Milky White.

Don't see it if you need extensive scenery & a huge cast. This staging allows us to use our imagination so we can focus on the haunting melodies & lyrics.

See it if you like Irish theater and delight in watching talented and committed actors perform the words of J.M. Synge.

Don't see it if you have a problem with accented speech. But in the intimate setting of this theater, we're close enough to the actors to understand them.

Also And there's music, too!

See it if you want to find out what really happened with Odysseus and Penelope. Very entertaining with some great harmonies and exuberant actors.

Don't see it if you like your history straight up and serious. A small cast that really delivers.

See it if you want to see an ensemble cast performing beautifully together and doing justice to Richard Greenberg's profound play.

Don't see it if as almost everyone has mentioned, seeing naked men on stage is not your cup of tea. All of the nudity was appropriate and not done to shock.

Also Having seen the play 20 years ago, I went in with fond memories of the great performances of Denis O'Hare and Daniel Sunjata. This cast did not disappoint. Full disclosure: I'm a big baseball fan (at least 20 games a year) and I went to games (Ebbets Field) with my father. So, I guess I'm a tad biased.... Read more Read less

See it if you would like to see a show that never made it to Broadway, but it should have. Beautifully told, with some wonderful performances.

Don't see it if you demand a show with lots of dancing, not much here. Another intimate musical in a small theater that draws the audience in.

Also Stephen Schwartz mentioned in the talkback that this show does not have a chorus. Each of the townspeople is a fully-developed character, each with his or her own arc.... Read more Read less

See it if you like musical theater. Some terrific performances & a great score. Extra enjoyable for theater buffs who will recognize real people.

Don't see it if theater has to be big for you to enjoy it. Much to be said for intimate performances with unamplified sound in a small space.

See it if you want to become completely involved in a relevant topic. The content is disturbing & sometimes difficult to watch in this intimate space.

Don't see it if you don't want to see a small cast of excellent actors tackle a controversial topic. Beautifully staged with some gut-wrenching scenes.

See it if you want to experience a retelling of Lynn Nottage's play with an eclectic score by Ricky Ian Gordon. Involving with talented cast.

Don't see it if you actively dislike sung-through productions. Even those who dislike opera may enjoy this moving, well-sung production.

See it if If you want to see some fine actors/singers in this tale of long ago NYC. The story is still relevant.

Don't see it if Small-scale productions are not for you. In this small theater, it was easy to become completely engrossed.

Also So refreshing to hear singing and a small band without heavy amplification. The production featured pathos, humor, and (spoiler ahead) -- a happy ending.... Read more Read less

See it if If you're willing to explore a very strange mind trip. Acting, singing, dancing are superb and the staging and projections are stunning.

Don't see it if You don't want to sit for almost 3 hrs & walk out humming the scenery. Some cutting would definitely help -- the swimming scene does go on.

See it if There is some great acting and some terrific monologues, especially by Edie Falco at the end. It just didn't hold together for me.

Don't see it if You don't want to give it your complete focus for over 90 minutes. Plot and characterizations can be confusing and sometimes hard to hear.

See it if A wonderful musical expansion of the 2000 off-Broadway Lindsay-Abaire play. Victoria Clark's characterization is so vivid and moving.

Don't see it if You're not into stories with characters who are often unfeeling. There is a real poignancy in this work and the music is terrific.

See it if Just delightful revue with a talented cast of six (and some great musicians). Some lovely Irving Berlin melodies mixed with anecdotes.

Don't see it if You want big. This is an intimate revue that holds together and brings a smile.

See it if You're open to hearing an inspirational story. Ruben speaks from the heart about this amazing woman who loved him.

Don't see it if You need more than two talented people on stage.

See it if you want to see a mournful poem come to life. I had read the poem several times before the play which made his enactment more meaningful.

Don't see it if you're not a poetry fan and prefer more subdued (this performance isn't understated) theatrics.

See it if you want to see an interesting story of family relationships unfold. Some of the past events were a bit confusing.

Don't see it if you don't want to hear actors screaming at each other -- a lot of yelling, as the whole play was presented at a fever pitch.

See it if you want to see an amazing piece of theatrical skill. Dana's story is fascinating and Dierdre O'Connell fully inhabits the role.

Don't see it if you need stage action. Seated, she is telling a story -- and what a story it is! Not usually a fan of one-person shows, I was captivated.

See it if if you want to see a great performance by Janelle McDermoth, a true life-force in a show about death. Some great staging and a terrific band

Don't see it if you're looking for a full-fledged play. Only 60 minutes, more like a cabaret act.

Also A bit of inconsistency with the audience singalong lyrics, "We're going to die," with the play's title in neon in full view. Gonna/going to - pick one.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a bravura performance from Laura Linney. The play is not worthy of her exquisite characterizations.

Don't see it if you're not a fan of one-person shows. Although, Linney's ability to create two different characters is praise-worthy.

See it if you want to see a set that you want to move into. Not nearly up to Richard Greenberg's past successes.

Don't see it if you want to see a believable plot. And it's much too long. I understand that 5 minutes have been cut -- not nearly enough.

See it if you're looking for a rarely-done Meredith Willson (with some changes) score. Small theater, but beautifully done.

Don't see it if you need a big production. Small cast playing multiple roles and a small but excellent band.

Also Disclaimer: My critical skills may be somewhat muted as I was so pleased to see for the first time (Mack & Mabel and Molly Brown -- not a threesome!), two shows with scores I knew. Kudos to Encores and Transport Group!... Read more Read less

See it if you're up for a concert (as indicated in the title) mixed with some harrowing scenes of torture circa the Khmer Rouge regime.

Don't see it if you don't care for loud rock concerts. I found the juxtaposition between the music scenes and the dramatic scenes disconcerting.

See it if you want to see Jerry Herman's tuneful score come to life. Some great acting, singing and dancing.

Don't see it if you would be troubled by the much revised, still troublesome book. This is not a happy story, but it's beautifully performed by a great cast

See it if you're a fan of Osborne's writing and want to visit (or revisit) the world of the angry young men of British drama.

Don't see it if you have little tolerance for yelling and mild violence. The volatile relationships are intense and rapidly change from moment to moment.

Also I liked the first act more than the second, hence my lowered grade. The director mentions that she wanted to focus on the female characters. I imagine this had her make what I consider to be a misguided costume choice for Alison (in the second act), one that to me was completely alienating and not at all in tune with Osborne's vision. Of course, the director is free to create her vision, but it did not work for me.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a depiction of the effects of a family member being deported. It's a relevant topic calling for a more cohesive presentation

Don't see it if you want to understand all the dialogue. Sounds were muffled, especially phone calls. Almost 2 hours without an intermission.

See it if you love theater & Irish history. Beautiful retelling of the important role Lady Gregory played. And you get to meet Yeats, Synge, O'Casey.

Don't see it if you don't like "talky" plays. But you'll be missing a fascinating history lesson and 2 excerpts from Lady G's plays.

See it if you're a Charles Busch fan. Lucky to be sitting up close and watching his facial expressions was a treat. A tad too long.

Don't see it if campy parodies of old movies are not your cup of tea. Watching everyone over-act does does become tiresome after a while.

See it if you want to see Len Cariou give a realistic performance, playing a very interesting character. Some lovely moments.

Don't see it if you don't like discussions about aging, failing health, and difficult father-son moments.

See it if you're up to see a new work with some good songs and interesting characters. Clever staging and projections. Small cast does great job.

Don't see it if you want big -- large cast, orchestra, scenery. This is an intimate piece in a very small (black box) theater and the audience was involved.

Also This could use some judicious cuts.

See it if if you like the Chekhov/Tolstoy stories and want to see them brought to life.

Don't see it if you need a more complete presentation. These are really slices of life enactments.

Also Some of the dialogue in Chekhov was difficult to hear.

See it if you want to see one more version of Mary Shelley's story. Interesting concept that just didn't work for me. Prefer Gene Wilder/Peter Boyle.

Don't see it if you need a plot that moves in a cohesive manner. This was confusing and seemed much longer than the 80 minutes.

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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'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 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'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 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'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 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 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 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 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.